The all elusive gauges for dropped C bass

[pakman81]

On a 4-string bass in standard E (E-A-D-G) I use Super Slinky's. Therefore, I would imagine that if I tune the bass down 1 whole tone (D-G-C-F) that Regular Slinky's would give a comparable feel.

Now, instead of having the bass in standard D, I want to take the lowest D down another whole tone to C, so that I now have classic dropped C tuning (C-G-C-F). Surely the best gauge for me would be the Regular Slinky for the first 3 strings (.50, .70, .85), and then a .115 for the low C. The problem is, for days on end now I've been looking for a set of strings with these gauges and found absolutely NOTHING. Because I live in Australia I can't buy the single .115 strings from EB. I think it stands to reason that a set like this would be VERY popular - it could even be marketed as 'Dropped C' or 'Dropped D' sets (as DR have attempted to do but with gauges that don't quite fit the bill). I know there's Hybrid sets from EB and others, but the problem remains that the gauge for the lowest string is designed to suite an interval of 4th rather than 5th in relation to the next string.

My questions then are as follows:

1. To all the forum readers: does anyone know of a way I can get strings to suit my needs in Australia?

2. Is there ANY string manufacturer that does either a) .50, .70, .85, .115, or b) .55, .75, .90, .120?

3. To EB, have you had this sort of question before, and is there some great plan to announce a new 'Dropped C Bass' regular slinky string set?

Many thanks,
Pak.

 

[IvanHardy]

for my DGCF bass i have power slinky's on it. then i just tune to Drop c whenever and then back when i'm done. and as far as the "dropped C" gauges in a pack i wouldn't hold my breath on it.

 

[supadave]

I have one bass (which I won't name) tuned to C as well. I use a heavier gauge string anyway but I've always found they handle being tuned down that low without too many probs. You have expect them to be a little 'loose' but thats part of the sound characteristic you get from that tuning. You should email one Mr. Nick Oliveri and see what he did to combat the issue.

 

[Bassman_1980]

what about using the 5-string super slinky set?
this one has gauges from .040 to .125

a .130 as a low-B is a good matching gauge
a .125 as a low-B isn't a good matching gauge: string tension is too low

so, the .125 should be right to tune as a low-C
the .095 could be tuned as low-G or F, etc...

On a 4-string bass in standard E (E-A-D-G) I use Super Slinky's. Therefore, I would imagine that if I tune the bass down 1 whole tone (D-G-C-F) that Regular Slinky's would give a comparable feel.

Now, instead of having the bass in standard D, I want to take the lowest D down another whole tone to C, so that I now have classic dropped C tuning (C-G-C-F). Surely the best gauge for me would be the Regular Slinky for the first 3 strings (.50, .70, .85), and then a .115 for the low C. The problem is, for days on end now I've been looking for a set of strings with these gauges and found absolutely NOTHING. Because I live in Australia I can't buy the single .115 strings from EB. I think it stands to reason that a set like this would be VERY popular - it could even be marketed as 'Dropped C' or 'Dropped D' sets (as DR have attempted to do but with gauges that don't quite fit the bill). I know there's Hybrid sets from EB and others, but the problem remains that the gauge for the lowest string is designed to suite an interval of 4th rather than 5th in relation to the next string.

My questions then are as follows:

1. To all the forum readers: does anyone know of a way I can get strings to suit my needs in Australia?

2. Is there ANY string manufacturer that does either a) .50, .70, .85, .115, or b) .55, .75, .90, .120?

3. To EB, have you had this sort of question before, and is there some great plan to announce a new 'Dropped C Bass' regular slinky string set?

Many thanks,
Pak.