What do you use for Drop C

socialleper

socialleper

Bringer of doom and top shelf beer
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May 31, 2009
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#1
I can't be the only guy around here bringing the big low end with a drop C (CGCF) tuning on my 4 string bass.
Tell me about the brand, style, and gauge of strings you use if you use drop C tunings on any of your basses.

Currently I buy a heavy (.110-.050) DR Hi-Beams set and an extra .120, then toss the .110, giving me a custom set of .120, .090, .070, .050. I'm thinking about moving to Lo-riders for a little extra tension without adding thickness to the string.
In the past I tried D'Addario's "balanced" set, but they died very quickly. I usually can get months out of a set and these lasted weeks.
I recently tried a custom set of Ernie Ball Slinky strings (.125, .090, .070, .050) that were super mellow, but they actually sort of worked on the bass I put them on.
I'm REALLY tired of having to custom order sets because it always pushes my shipping dates out, sometimes a week or two.
 
#2
socialleper said:
Tell me about the brand, style, and gauge of strings you use if you use drop C tunings on any of your basses.
Click to expand...

Have you considered the DR DDT's? DR DDT Drop-Down Tuning Bass Strings - 4-String Set

I personally don't use any down-tunings, but based on what I've read, these are specifically designed for that purpose - both for tuning stability and retaining tension (ie stiffness) without having to go HUGE in gauges.

Just a suggestion...
 
#3
michael_t said:
Have you considered the DR DDT's? DR DDT Drop-Down Tuning Bass Strings - 4-String Set

I personally don't use any down-tunings, but based on what I've read, these are specifically designed for that purpose - both for tuning stability and retaining tension (ie stiffness) without having to go HUGE in gauges.

Just a suggestion...
Click to expand...

I am curious to hear from people that have used the DR DDT and Dunlop Heavy Core strings.
 
#5
michael_t said:
Have you checked out this thread yet? D Standard Club (DGCF)

You might get better feedback there.
Click to expand...
Sets for D standard are a cake walk. Any .110 set will do. Drop D with a .105 set is pretty easy too. The whole step drop on the E string from a standard D to C messes everything up. I want to get a conversation going about how people handle the difficulties of a tuning that is common in some forms of music, but that isn't being supported by string companies at all.
I want to hear the creative ways people have gotten around this obstacle.
 
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#8
I play in several metal bands and I have become an expert (at least I think so) at figuring out which set of strings offer the most tension. Im very picky about playing one bass, yet I play in a few different bnds with each band have its own tuning. I find that Rotosound makes very 'tension heavy' string that allow me to go extremely low and comfortably. DR High Beams were my favorite when I was in a metal band that played in drop D. Very low tension set.

Seriously, give it a shot.
 
#10
I used a .110 and it sounded great. Of course I am a light string convert, though I've only gained in the trade, not lost a thing ditching thicker strings. My bass setup with 40-95 regularly sees drop D without issue.
 
#13
Mather said:
I play in several metal bands and I have become an expert (at least I think so) at figuring out which set of strings offer the most tension. Im very picky about playing one bass, yet I play in a few different bnds with each band have its own tuning. I find that Rotosound makes very 'tension heavy' string that allow me to go extremely low and comfortably. DR High Beams were my favorite when I was in a metal band that played in drop D. Very low tension set.

Seriously, give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Generally I like using Hi-Beams but I've been wondering lately if at that tuning I shouldn't be using something else. I'm also having a heck of a time getting DR singles.
 
#14
FourBanger said:
I used a .110 and it sounded great. Of course I am a light string convert, though I've only gained in the trade, not lost a thing ditching thicker strings. My bass setup with 40-95 regularly sees drop D without issue.
Click to expand...
Wow! Do you have your action set really high? I would think that would make a heck of a racket on your frets.
 
#19
I'm rezzing my own thread. I still need a better solution to this. I can't seem to find a set that has the right gauges, and no matter what angle I go at this from its going to take 1-2 weeks for me to get my strings. That's just too much lead time to be reliable if something happens and I need a string now.
It seems really ridiculous that with the modern rock market the way it is, string manufactures haven't figured out that people are using drop tunings and making specialized sets. A .125\.120 .090 .070 .050 set is perfect for me but I can't seem to get it without spending $40 and wasting strings, or waiting for stock to come in.
 
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