P-bass nut - heaviest string guage?

[radiophonic]

What can I get away with? I'm recording and I need to drop to C# and I need to dig in. A 105 flaps and rattles horribly. I don't have a 5 string. Thanks!

[verb]

I use 55-110 and occasionally tune to C#, they are a little floppy but manageable. If I was recording I would set up the bass to the tuning.

[radiophonic]

8 minutes ago, verb said:

I use 55-110 and occasionally tune to C#, they are a little floppy but manageable. If I was recording I would set up the bass to the tuning.

Will it take 115? Its a really tight part and the low tension is really hurting me. It just sounds messy. As a rule I use d'addario nickel 165 specifically to keep the tension high since the band tune to Eb by default. Maybe a higher tension string is the answer? I just have two songs to nail...

[hooky_lowdown]

24 minutes ago, radiophonic said:

Maybe a higher tension string is the answer?

This. Some Fender strings are higher tension then D'Addario.

[verb]

Are you using a new set of strings, as they will have more tension then a used set detuned.

[Wolverinebass]

Use DR Droptunes. The 105 set will take C# as I play them on a Rick in C# standard for one of the bands I'm in.

[Skybone]

Maybe look for 115 or 120 bottom strings, but you will need to have the existing nut looked at for them (maybe take the chance to get the bass set up in a shop?).

Or get the DR DDT's.