bass string gauge

[Massili]

I dont know much about bass strings so i come to here to ask it...

Tuning a 5 strings Bass for a drop Bb, what would be the gauge recommended? I played on the bass of my bandmate and felt that the 5th string is a bit flabby and the others i felt that are ok, confortable, not sure but i think he uses the standard string gauge for 5 strigs bass... well the 5th is tuned down half tone and the others tuned up a half tone... we wanted to tune it to B drop, but we ended up not doing this, the tension on the 5th would be ok, since it's the B string but the others would be with too much tension...

Id like some help on this...
thx

 

[Wadi]

I am currently using 0.130 gauge on my four strings and my band tuned to C# standard i.e C# - F# - B - E. The thick gauge/tighter strings helps to keep the low rumble even when we tuned to dropped B i.e B - F# - B - E.

 

[egan.]

I use these on a 35" scale tuned down 1/2 step (Bb,Eb,Ab,Db,Gb). YMMV

 

[doc_backmask]

I used these when recording the song "Dark Fiber". I recorded with the .128s (drop A), but most of our 5-strng songs are in B-standard, so I use the .125s.

Edit: I play on a 35" scale. Also just got a new bass with S.I.T. strings and they're not too bad, yet.

 

[KeithRT99]

i play a 34" scale ibanez 5, with a 130 B.

 

[Razorjack]

You want LaBella Hard Rockin' Steels or DR Hi-Beams for a 5 string, guage is dependant on tuning. I'm about to try out a .118 for my 4th string, which will be dropped to C.

 

[Suicide_As_Alibi]

65-130 in dropped C on my 4-string.

The 130 plays pretty well all the way down to A on the 4-string, but the same string on my 5-string feels a bit loose to me (probably because I play the 4-string more).

Steve

 

[Suicide_As_Alibi]

65-130 in dropped C on my 4-string.

The 130 plays pretty well all the way down to A on the 4-string, but the same string on my 5-string feels a bit loose to me (probably because I play the 4-string more).

Steve

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

Thicker is always better in my book.