bob_atherton Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 Hi. I am joining a blues band that tunes in D, not standard tuning. For many years my strings have been nickle DR Lo Riders 45-105. These are perfect for my style of playing. For our new band rehearsals I've been tuning down to D and setting up the bass accordingly. This is sort of OK but far from ideal as the strings are a lot more floppy, easy for my left hand but lacking the tone and punch that I'm used to. I need strings that will give me a pretty similar feel to the DR's when tuned down to D. Any suggestions will be very welcome, Thanks. I'm also open to thinking about getting some heavy weight flats as I think these might fit the bill as well. Again any ideas..? Thanks, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 For flats: I had a P bass with La Bella 0760M "Original 1954", 052-110, all strings tuned down one step, which I thought worked well and sounded good. Pino had this setup on the D'Angelo album Voodoo. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_atherton Posted August 17, 2021 Author Share Posted August 17, 2021 23 minutes ago, jrixn1 said: For flats: I had a P bass with La Bella 0760M "Original 1954", 052-110, all strings tuned down one step, which I thought worked well and sounded good. Pino had this setup on the D'Angelo album Voodoo. If its good enough for you and Pino, that should work for me. Am I right in thinking these were the strings Jamerson used? If so, what's not to like?!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_atherton Posted August 17, 2021 Author Share Posted August 17, 2021 Just ordered a set. Pretty sure they will nail what I'm after. Thanks again. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 DR make a set of stings designed for down tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witch Hazel Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 i found the Roto 77s work well for tuning down to D. they're quite stiff for a given tension so losing a bit of tension doesn't make them go floppy. i'd go for the heavy tension, but if you usually use rounds, the medium might be a good option too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnR Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Newtone Strings will make you a set to meet this requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson_51_ Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 I’ve used DR lo-rider .50 - 110 in D standard and they worked well. Maybe just upping the gauge if your happy with the strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_atherton Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 Thanks Guys. I have a soft spot for flats. I had them on my very first bass, a Shaftesbury Tele copy back in 1970. Short scale so easy on my fingers and good to learn on. I don't often have the opportunity to go for flats, but a blues band seems like an opportunity I can't pass up. I may yet feel I need to go back to rounds and , to be honest, I didn't know DR did lo-riders in 50-110. Do them come in nickle at that gauge? I hate stainless rounds. Anyway will report back once landed and worn in. I think that takes about a year or so...(-: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 if you love the nickel lo riders then id just get a higher gauge set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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