Bass tuning question[views:4188][posts:11]______________________________________ [May 21,2007 7:59pm - ronofthedead ""] I have a tuning question and am looking for advice. I have a 5 string bass tuned B-E-A-D-G (from low to high).The guitarists that I am playing with now are tuned down to C sharp. For me this would mean tuning up as opposed to down. I've tried tuning up to C sharp and there's so much tension on the strings it makes playing kind of difficult. Does any one have any adive on what I should do? Should I leave the B alone and drop the other four strings and just move everything up two frets that I play on the B? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. |
| __________________________________ [May 21,2007 8:10pm - Niccolai ""] You could drop the B to G and tune the other four strings, but if you want less tension on the B string, then you're going to haveto buy new strings. the thinner the string, the less tension, so buy the thinnest guage pack you can find for a 5 string bass. Also, a 34" bass would work better for this, but I'm betting you have a 35 scale? If you have two basses and one is a 34, use the 34 for this. a 34" in combination with thinner strings will give you less tension. |
| __________________________________ [May 21,2007 8:10pm - Niccolai ""] You could also buy a thicker 6 string pack and use the thinner 5 strings, theoretically. |
| _____________________________________ [May 21,2007 8:14pm - horror_tang ""] G# C# F# B E |
| _________________________________________________ [May 21,2007 8:15pm - the_taste_of_cigarettes ""] They tune DOWN a whole step plus a half step, so 3 half steps. That means that you would be, I believe: G# - C# - F# - B - E going UP would be weird. You will have a high sound while they have a muddy deep sound, and in the end that will sound awkward and limit the effect of what you're playing. |
| __________________________________ [May 21,2007 10:41pm - Anthny ""] the_taste_of_cigarettes said: going UP would be weird. You will have a high sound while they have a muddy deep sound, and in the end that will sound awkward and limit the effect of what you're playing. No it wouldnt sound weird, not if you play the "B" string like you normally would the "E" string. If you're a 5 string bassist, conventionally tuned, playing with guys with 6 string guitars it's not always possible to use the low B that much. If you tune the lowest string up to C or C# you just play it a hell of a lot more and it sounds heavier than tuning down the second-to-lowest string, even though you're technically tuning up the whole bass. |
| __________________________________________________ [May 21,2007 10:43pm - the_taste_of_cigarettes ""] Anthny said:the_taste_of_cigarettes said: going UP would be weird. You will have a high sound while they have a muddy deep sound, and in the end that will sound awkward and limit the effect of what you're playing. No it wouldnt sound weird, not if you play the "B" string like you normally would the "E" string. If you're a 5 string bassist, conventionally tuned, playing with guys with 6 string guitars it's not always possible to use the low B that much. If you tune the lowest string up to C or C# you just play it a hell of a lot more and it sounds heavier than tuning down the second-to-lowest string, even though you're technically tuning up the whole bass. PFFF I think *I* know more about bass than *YOU* |
| __________________________________ [May 21,2007 10:48pm - Anthny ""] I love my 5 string. I like playing 4 string too (MUCH easier for slap), but I don't know if I could ever have a main bass that's not a 5 or even a 6. When a riff allows you to play that low B live it just shakes the room; it's a great feeling. |
| __________________________________________________ [May 21,2007 10:52pm - the_taste_of_cigarettes ""] Anthny said:I love my big donk. I like playing with hoez, too (MUCH easier for slaps), but I don't know if I could ever have a main girlfriend that's not 5 or even 6. When a beeatch allows you to play those low titties live it just shakes the room; it's a great feeling. WTF??!?! |
| __________________________________ [May 21,2007 10:58pm - Anthny ""] hahaha that was hilarious! |
| _____________________________________ [May 22,2007 5:49am - badsneakers ""] just get a set up down in the new tuning and you'll be all set I have a 4 string tuned C# G# C# F# |
| ______________________________________ [May 22,2007 8:15am - ronofthedead ""] Thanks for all the advice. I don't know why it never crossed my mind to tune G# C#F# B E. I tried it last night, it's much easier to play now. Thanks again! |