Drop B string gauge help? using a Geddy Lee Jazz

[Ant_On_Bass]

Hi guys, i was just wondering if you could give me some advice, the guitarist in our band wants to mix up the tunings a bit and start using drop B, i've never really used drop B and i'm not too sure as to what string size i should be looking at getting as im used used to using 105's for our normal tunings so any help would be awesome :-D

[ambient]

Maybe try restringing B, E, A, D ?

Or buy a 5 string

[0175westwood29]

ive done drop c with 105, i now use the top 4 strings from a 5 string set as on my 4 string bass i tune it to a standard and its fine, 130 on the a string maybe look at something like that? its a bit of a set up from 105.

andy

[Ant_On_Bass]

i've actually got a set of Ernie ball custom gauge 5 string 135, 105, 85, 70, 50 from when i owned my 5 string corvette, do u reckon i could get away with using them? 135 will feel mahooosive and i'm not 100% sure it will fit in the bass nut! i don't really want to file it down, i may have to invest in another bass if it doesnt fit :-P

[0175westwood29]

[quote name='Ant_On_Bass' timestamp='1392570112' post='2370149']
i've actually got a set of Ernie ball custom gauge 5 string 135, 105, 85, 70, 50 from when i owned my 5 string corvette, do u reckon i could get away with using them? 135 will feel mahooosive and i'm not 100% sure it will fit in the bass nut! i don't really want to file it down, i may have to invest in another bass if it doesnt fit :-P
[/quote]

it seems big but you do get used to it very quick, is the nut on your bass removeable? you could always get on made up for the drop b tuning

andy

[Ant_On_Bass]

Honestly i wouldn't know if it was removable or not :-P im not clued up with this stuff haha but thats a good idea :-D

[ambient]

I only use a 120 B string, sounds fine and isn't at all floppy.

[Ant_On_Bass]

ah cool i'll have to check some out in that size :-) i just whipped the 135 out the pack, not only is it huge, it wont go fully through the badass bridge, i'd have to grind it, so i'll probably have a look at some other gauges.

[ambient]

I've tried gauges like that before, and they never felt right somehow. A huge B and normal gauge other strings. That's what puts me off buying a 6 string set of Thomastik flats (and the price).