winterfire666 Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Does anyone use c# tuning on a 34" scale 4 string bass? I usually prefer 40-100 Sadowsky blue label steels and love the feel on my standard tuned 33" scale Xylem ( not too much tension and bright and zingy) but I'm setting up a bass in standard c# tuning and wondered if anyone can help many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Kalium ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 I used to tune B E A D on a four string, I would buy a five string set and not use the G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) We play in dropped tuning - D#, which puts slightly less stress on our aging vocal chords. Then with my Hipshot d-tuner I drop down to C# for a few songs. I'm using D'Addario pro steels with a 105 E string and have no problems - sounds great and string still has decent tension on it. Oh, and 34" scale Edit to say it's the standard 45-105 set. Caveat: I don't drop the other strings to C# tuning, just the E Edited October 4, 2016 by Norris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 ABSOLUTELY these for a four stringer: http://daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=380&productname=EXL160BT_Nickel_Wound__Balanced_Tension_Medium__50_120 They are gauged 50-67-90-120 There's the added tension to allow the A, D and G string to be dropped a semitone and the 120 works very well for the C#, giving you a nice solid feel to the low notes. No need to buy specialist sets or leave strings off. Oh and they're D'addario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microbass Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) Previous band played to C# G# C# F# and 45-100 or 45-105's were always fine for me! EDIT: used mainly D'Addarios or DR's at the time. Edited October 4, 2016 by Microbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 i was thinking of trying 45-105's but was a bit concerned about them being too light with dropping 3 semitones, thanks for the input folks i do prefer light gauge strings so i might try them and if im not happy going up to some kind of 50 - 110/115 set, a 120 i think might be too much for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475609301' post='3147402'] ABSOLUTELY these for a four stringer: [url="http://daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=380&productname=EXL160BT_Nickel_Wound__Balanced_Tension_Medium__50_120"]http://daddario.com/..._Medium__50_120[/url] They are gauged 50-67-90-120 There's the added tension to allow the A, D and G string to be dropped a semitone and the 120 works very well for the C#, giving you a nice solid feel to the low notes. No need to buy specialist sets or leave strings off. Oh and they're D'addario. [/quote] Yes, these. Will even handle going down to Bb if that's your bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='Johnny Wishbone' timestamp='1475655367' post='3147617'] Yes, these. Will even handle going down to Bb if that's your bag. [/quote] They are a pretty awesome set! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1475651564' post='3147578'] i was thinking of trying 45-105's but was a bit concerned about them being too light with dropping 3 semitones, thanks for the input folks i do prefer light gauge strings so i might try them and if im not happy going up to some kind of 50 - 110/115 set, a 120 i think might be too much for me. [/quote] 120 won't be too much, honestly if I had the cash I'd send you a set as I'm that sure you'll end up liking them after giving them a thorough try out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475609301' post='3147402'] ABSOLUTELY these for a four stringer: [url="http://daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=380&productname=EXL160BT_Nickel_Wound__Balanced_Tension_Medium__50_120"]http://daddario.com/..._Medium__50_120[/url] They are gauged 50-67-90-120 There's the added tension to allow the A, D and G string to be dropped a semitone and the 120 works very well for the C#, giving you a nice solid feel to the low notes. No need to buy specialist sets or leave strings off. Oh and they're D'addario. [/quote] They're nickel though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1475671545' post='3147792'] They're nickel though [/quote] It's ok, I think it'd be possible to have a Pro Steel set made up with similar gauges! Maybe D'Addario will be along to chime in shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475671705' post='3147795'] It's ok, I think it'd be possible to have a Pro Steel set made up with similar gauges! Maybe D'Addario will be along to chime in shortly [/quote] If they do I'm converting... I love prosteels and I'm running out of my custom sets from Newtone from my ACG in Drop C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475671705' post='3147795'] It's ok, I think it'd be possible to have a Pro Steel set made up with similar gauges! Maybe D'Addario will be along to chime in shortly [/quote] I await this response with interest! I still prefer the sound of the Pro Steels but the tension on these is so good I've been prepared to make the sacrifice for now. A steel version would be a win/win for me! Edited October 5, 2016 by Johnny Wishbone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='Johnny Wishbone' timestamp='1475673459' post='3147819'] I await this response with interest! I still prefer the sound of the Pro Steels but the tension on these is so good I've been prepared to make the sacrifice for now. A steel version would be a win/win for me! [/quote] Well, Pro Steels have always been available as single strings and those gauges are available, so it looks like a win/win day! You can also use their string choice app if you want to adjust tuning vs gauge vs tension too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1475672098' post='3147801'] If they do I'm converting... I love prosteels and I'm running out of my custom sets from Newtone from my ACG in Drop C [/quote] They do, see above. Tons of string choices available and all listed on the D'Addario website! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475676088' post='3147866'] They do, see above. Tons of string choices available and all listed on the D'Addario website! [/quote] Might need to look into that, although I expect singles will work out pricey.... *goes to look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 i think a quick look at the D'Addario website is in order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Hmm... the question is... going singles do I just up the whole set by 10 or C + 10 and the rest + 5 Going for a straight + 10 (+5 isn't always available) puts the set at £32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1475676488' post='3147872'] Might need to look into that, although I expect singles will work out pricey.... *goes to look [/quote] Yep, more than 50% more expensive (£30.46 vs. £18.40). Plus I can't see a .67 so would have to be a .70 (I accept that's a VERY minor point). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'AddarioUK Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475671705' post='3147795'] It's ok, I think it'd be possible to have a Pro Steel set made up with similar gauges! Maybe D'Addario will be along to chime in shortly [/quote] In my best Bane voice "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" Your best options in ProSteels would be either EPS160 (.050 .070 .085 .105) or EPS230 (.055 .075 .090 .110). The aforementioned EXL160BT (.050 .067 .090 .120) is part of our balanced tension line which is currently only available in nickel plated steel. We've got a great tool at [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url] for working out string gauges and tensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1475594776' post='3147219'] Does anyone use c# tuning on a 34" scale 4 string bass? I usually prefer 40-100 Sadowsky blue label steels and love the feel on my standard tuned 33" scale Xylem ( not too much tension and bright and zingy) but I'm setting up a bass in [b]standard[/b] c# tuning and wondered if anyone can help many thanks. [/quote] I feel I missed an important word as I jumped to the assumption you were in Drop C# rather than up in fourths... [quote name='D'AddarioUK' timestamp='1475747846' post='3148365'] In my best Bane voice "Speak of the devil and he shall appear" Your best options in ProSteels would be either EPS160 (.050 .070 .085 .105) or EPS230 (.055 .075 .090 .110). The aforementioned EXL160BT (.050 .067 .090 .120) is part of our balanced tension line which is currently only available in nickel plated steel. We've got a great tool at [url="http://www.stringtensionpro.com"]www.stringtensionpro.com[/url] for working out string gauges and tensions. [/quote] ... that said, I'd still be inclined to but a 120 on the bottom for a C# through experience to get the tension back up to the same as standard tuning. What do you think Andrew? Using Pro Steels EPS 165 as a starting point, dropping each string down three semitones for C# standard, I make the new gauges as .125, .100, .080 and .055 to get the tensions back up again so they are the same as standard tuning. The next set of gauges down, so slightly less tension than standard are: 120, 95, 75 and 50 in the Pro Steels. That seems to be a good place to be and is also very close to the Balanced Tension gauges mentioned earlier. Unless I've missed something, is that still not the best set for the application? I call upon your expert knowledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1475757802' post='3148503'] I feel I missed an important word as I jumped to the assumption you were in Drop C# rather than up in fourths... ... that said, I'd still be inclined to but a 120 on the bottom for a C# through experience to get the tension back up to the same as standard tuning. What do you think Andrew? Using Pro Steels EPS 165 as a starting point, dropping each string down three semitones for C# standard, I make the new gauges as .125, .100, .080 and .055 to get the tensions back up again so they are the same as standard tuning. The next set of gauges down, so slightly less tension than standard are: 120, 95, 75 and 50 in the Pro Steels. That seems to be a good place to be and is also very close to the Balanced Tension gauges mentioned earlier. Unless I've missed something, is that still not the best set for the application? I call upon your expert knowledge! [/quote] The only problem is, the 95 and 75 aren't on the site as singles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'AddarioUK Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1475758257' post='3148511'] The only problem is, the 95 and 75 aren't on the site as singles [/quote] That is odd indeed, I'll get onto our colleagues in the US about them being missing from the site. I can however happily confirm that they exist. The codes are: PSB125 PSB100 PSB080 PSB055 or PSB120 PSB095 PSB075 PSB050 All available through Strings Direct as far as I can see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) Either way it's still [i]significantly[/i] more expensive getting singles in the same gauges if you prefer steels. A few quid more I would have expected, but £12 on an equivalent set of 4? I would have thought steel strings make up a decent share of the market (correct me if I'm wrong of course) so why offer something as great an idea as the balanced tension sets in one material but not the other? Especially given the increasing market for heavier gauges now that down-tuning is so common? Edited October 6, 2016 by Johnny Wishbone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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