Dusty Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Hi guys, would appreciate some advice on this. My band plays with the guitars tuned to Eb, then on some songs would drop the E string down a further tone (Db). This tends to make the strings a bit sloppy (45-105). To help overcome this, should I go thicker, 55-110 or thinner 40-100 ? Will be sending a couple of basses of to have a decent set up with which ever strings would be best. Thanks, Dusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 (edited) Hey buddy. My band uses the exact same tuning, and i use the same gauges as you too! I tried heavier (50 - 110) and the bottom string felt great but the D and G strings were just too stiff for my liking. I couldn't be bothered to mix and match sets so 45 - 105 actually works out best for me! Edited December 9, 2012 by chrismuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 What brand are you currently using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1355091511' post='1893996'] What brand are you currently using? [/quote] I didn't think to ask that Stainless steel strings tend to feel a bit less floppy, and if they have a hexagonal core significantly more so! Elites Stadium Series, and D'Addario Prosteels tick both boxes. I THINK the steel Elixirs are hex cored aswell, they certainly are a chore to bend at the third fret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 I'd suggest getting a 110 for the Drop D string and standard gauge for the rest - the only set that I can think of that comes with these gauges as standard that I used to use for many years is the Billy Sheehan signature Rotosound strings. He often uses his Hipshot D-Tuner to drop to a D on the 4th string but the 110 isn't too heavy when pulling back up to E. I did much the same until I moved straight on to six string basses. It's a brilliant set with a slightly lighter G string at .043. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1355093448' post='1894037'] I'd suggest getting a 110 for the Drop D string and standard gauge for the rest - the only set that I can think of that comes with these gauges as standard that I used to use for many years is the Billy Sheehan signature Rotosound strings. He often uses his Hipshot D-Tuner to drop to a D on the 4th string but the 110 isn't too heavy when pulling back up to E. I did much the same until I moved straight on to six string basses. It's a brilliant set with a slightly lighter G string at .043. [/quote] Dammit, Rotosound are great and that set sounds perfect... but I just don't like them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Try pro steels out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks guys, I've mostly have used rotosound swing 66, but have recently changed to Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys. The Lakland has these at 50-105, nice strings but really messed up my string height / action. I've already bought the 55-110 & a Hipshot drop D to go on the Stingray and following the comments above like the idea mixing up the sets, but think I will try the heavy gauge on the Lakie as well with a good set up, as this is my main bass. But many thanks for clarifying the 110 route Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1355094520' post='1894063'] Try pro steels out [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefyst Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 http://www.gak.co.uk/en/skull-strings-bass-guitar-strings-4-string-set-45-110/6408 these are okay. got that 45-110 guage you probably want. I was hesitant at first since I hadn't heard of them but they're pretty good for dropped tunings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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