Detail 01
Heavy gauge
More tension per string. Harder on the fretting hand, but keeps detuned notes from flopping into fret buzz.
Product detailSKU #1273887997892
DR StringsDrop-Down Tuning 5-String Heavy Bass Strings
1/3
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Heavy-gauge 5-string bass set built for tunings below standard. For metal and modern players who detune and need the low B to stay defined.
Strong match
Who this is for
- 5-string basses tuned down where standard sets lose definition
- Aggressive fingerstyle or pick playing that needs tension to stay clear
- Players whose low B goes muddy and rattles on lighter sets
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- 4-string basses — this is a five-string set
- Players staying in standard tuning who want an easy left hand
- Slap players chasing a light, snappy, low-tension feel
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Drop-down tuning design
Gauges are chosen so the set feels balanced when tuned below standard, not when tuned to pitch at standard.
Detail 03
5-string set
Includes the low B. Won't fit a 4-string without leftovers, and won't cover a 6-string.
Detail 04
Uncoated
More top-end bite and natural finger grip, but they dull faster than coated sets under heavy sweat.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Thicker low B often needs the nut slot widened to seat properly
- 02Expect truss rod and intonation adjustment after switching from lighter gauges
- 03Check your bridge string spacing and whether the strings are long enough for your scale
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will these fit a 4-string bass?
Not as intended. It's a 5-string set, so you'd be leaving one string unused and picking gauges that weren't matched for a four.
02Can I use these in standard tuning?
Yes, but they'll feel stiff. The gauges are set up to reach proper tension when you're tuned below standard.
03Do I need a setup after installing these?
Plan on it. Heavier gauges change neck relief and intonation, and the low B may need the nut slot opened up.
04Will the low B still sound clear tuned down?
That's the point of the heavier gauge — more tension means less flop and a tighter, more defined low end when detuned.
