If you play (or want to play) heavy-handed, hard, and low, your strings need to be able to handle the task. Here are 10 of the myriad sets available for getting your drop tuning on.
D’ADDARIO
EXL148 [.012–.060]These hybrid gauges are optimized for C tuning or players who prefer a heavier string, and are roundwound with nickel-plated steel for bright tone.
$5 street
daddario.com
DR STRINGS
DDT-11 [.011–.054]Designed over a two-year build-and-test period, these strings use the company’s Accurate Core Technology to be able to drop with confidence and accuracy.
$8 street
drstrings.com
ERNIE BALL
Mammoth Slinky [.012–.062]On this set, the wound strings are made from nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around tin-plated hex-shaped steel-core wire, while the plain strings are tin-plated, high-carbon steel.
$7 street
ernieball.com
STRINGJOY
Drop Tune Medium [.011–.058]Recommended for drop C, but applicable for lower tunings as well, these strings feature nickel-alloy wrap wire around high-carbon steel hex-core wire.
$12 street
stringjoy.com
DEAN MARKLEY
2500 Signature Series [.013–.056]Featuring nickel-plated steel that’s slowly handwound over a hex core, the outer string wrap maintains 100-percent contact with the core for maximum sustain and full sound.
$6 street
deanmarkley.com
CLEARTONE
Heavy Series Drop 60 [.012–.060]These strings feature EMP (enhanced molecular protection), a unique micro-thin coating that protects this specially made drop-tune set against corrosion for longer life.
$14 street
cleartonestrings.com
DUNLOP
Heavy Core [.010–.060]These drop-tuning optimized strings use carefully selected core wire and proprietary wrap ratios to allow aggressive pick attack when playing below standard.
$7 street
jimdunlop.com
GHS
Thick Core Boomers [.011–.056]The thicker core of these strings works well for both standard and drop tuning, and the beefier core is said to provide greater sustain, a more focused low end, and fatter tone.
$5 street
ghsstrings.com
CURT MANGAN
11-56 Drop Tuning [.011–.056]These nickel-plated strings were designed for drop tuning, but also a well-balanced tonal response with sparkling highs, clear mids, and defined bass.
$7 street
curtmangan.com
ROTOSOUND
Dark Zone DZ10 [.010–.060]Designed to deliver a bright and heavy tone, and provide a long lifespan, the wide gauge range of this set is intended to provide excellent frequency response for drop tuning.
$10 street
rotosound.com
Using smaller incremental wire for the wraps allows Dean Markley to use more layers. More layers mean more mass. Dean Markley uses three covers at thicker gauges like .095 and four covers at .120—many other manufacturers simply use thicker wire and get away with less wraps. The core wire dictates the playability of the string. The way a string is wound will dictate how long it lasts – and how it sustains, the smaller wire wrap gauges improve the mass and feel. The only other element involved is the quality of the material and here there are no compromises.
Each material used has a specific weight that influences tension, so Dean Markley uses mathematical modeling to determine the right mix of core to wrap. Strings can break when core-to-cover ratio is too small, but when it’s too large, playability is sacrificed. It’s a very fine balance. Dean Markley has achieved the ideal balance for SR2000 Bass strings.
Although players probably won’t be focusing on the many technical wonders of SR2000 bass strings, they’ll be fully in tune with the wondrous effect these strings can have on their playing technique. Featuring new artwork on environmentally friendly packaging, SR2000 Bass strings are bound—and also wound—to make a statement unlike any strings currently on the market. Grab a set in Light (L), Medium Light (ML), Medium Custom (MC) or Medium (MED) gauges for 4-string, 5-string, or 6-string bass, and in MC for 7-string bass.
List Price Starts at $24.99
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Dean Markley
