Evil Laugh

If anyone else needs help with this I found this on another forum.... Tuning down to D is perfectly possible on a 34" scale bass, but you need to up your string gauges. The trick is to match the tensions as closely as possible to the tensions of your preferred set in standard tuning. Let's suppose you're using a regular 45-105 set, like the D'Addario EXL165 set, which gives you 105/85/65/45 gauges low to high. Looking at the chart for D'Addario XL's, find the row for each string gauge in turn and read off the tension at the normal pitch. In normal tuning, the tensions are as follows (in lbs): E - 105, tension 40.3 A - 85, tension 48.4 D - 65, tension 51.3 G - 45, tension 42.8 Because you're tuning down, you're losing tension on each string. This changes the feel and risks the string becoming too 'sloppy' (a lot of this depends on how hard or soft you pick - it's a personal thing how much tension you like to feel). Lower tension usually also means duller tone, intonation problems (it's easier to push or pull the string out of tune) and more rattles and buzzes. At your new low tuning, you'll need to increase tension back up to something near the original tensions to keep roughly the same feel and tone. You do this by picking heavier gauges of string. Looking at the chart, find the row for each string in the standard set and follow it across until you reach the new note you intend to tune to. Then follow that column down until you reach a figure that is as close as possible to the original figure. Then look back across to the left to find the new string size. Tuning down only a whole step, this is going to be one, or at most two gauges heavier than the original string. If we do this for the standard 45-105 set, we find as follows: E down to D - 120, tension 40.3 (compare 40.3 for 105/E) A down to G - 95, tension 48.7 (compare 48.4 for as 85/A) D down to C - 70, tension 47.7, or 75, tension 53.7 (compare 51.3 for 65/D) G down to F - 50, tension 42.4 (compare 42.8 for 45/G) This gives a custom set of 120/95/70 or 75/50 for your downtuned bass. In fact, I use a 'heavy' 50/70/90/110 set of Elites Stadium Stainless on one 34"-scale bass in standard E tuning, and as an experiment I tuned it down to D. The string tensions seemed fine, so you may not have to go to 120/95/70/50. If you want to try different gauges for feel, buy individual strings and experiment. Try to keep the tensions in the ballpark indicated by the chart, using the standard set as a guide. If you want to try a set, have a look at D'Addarios' EXL230 long scale set, which gives you 110/90/75/55 with a low of 36.7 lbs and a high of 50.0 lbs when tuned to D. If you're careful to match the new tensions in D to the tensions of your existing set in E I don't think you should have any problems, but you may find you have to adjust the truss rod and string heights slightly. If you don't know how to do this yourself, get someone who does to do it for you. The adjustments will be small. Obviously, the 34" instrument was not designed to be tuned to D, so it will always be a bit of a compromise, but it's not like trying to tune a 4-string down to low B. In future, if you want to tune down to D but still play a 4-string you might want to look at a 35"-scale instrument. The longer scale gives you more tension for the same gauges, so you might not even have to increase the standard gauges if you're only tuning down a whole step.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='144107' date='Feb 21 2008, 12:16 AM']There is some good stuff on flats in the wiki. I believe Labella do strings specially for de-tuned basses. I have 3 basses tuned D-G-C-F all with 45-105 half rounds on.[/quote] Cheers man, that's my tuning. I'll look into it.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='143666' date='Feb 20 2008, 01:32 PM']Bigger strings will sort you, and bit of playing time so they lose the new string zing. Bridge should be fine, thicker strings aren't that much thicker. Only thing is you need to file out the nut a little wider so they fit, then draw in the slot with a soft pencil. Make sure you make the slot wider not deeper. As for buzz, thats an allen key job, can do it on your own much cheaper than a tech, pm me and I can talk you through on msn or something if you like. Oh, mickel strings probably what you want, if you don't play regular, steels will eat your fingers. Nickels are warmer generally too.[/quote] Cool i might well do that then. That's really nice of you!

They've got some random bits on there... Maybe you wanted this one..

The natural ash jazz is on their ebay shop, maybe what you want is on there.

sweet

[quote name='FJ1200' post='143502' date='Feb 20 2008, 05:44 AM']Free download from their web site - [url="http://uk.line6.com/software/index.html"]http://uk.line6.com/software/index.html[/url] - search under Bass POD Live XT and scroll down about 2/3 of the page Go to the [url="http://uk.line6.com/club/"]http://uk.line6.com/club/[/url] and there's access to loads of submitted patches too. I'm ordering mine tomorrow I think.[/quote] Cool, anyone know if you can edit the patches post recording? Ie does it record a clean signal too that can be processed after or is it just a patch editor? Would be handy as as things are added in a track I'll often want to alter other sounds to compensate.

Oh and the natural jazz was on there on friday when I bought mine.

I hope so, I want a rosewood fretless P which he don't have at the mo but i've seen pics of them, I emailed him and await his response. E

Easy..... New to the forum so "Hi" first! Just got my first bass (Play guitars and synths already) yesterday, SX PJ. Very nice. Wondering if any of you kind people can advise me on a few things, here goes............ I bought the bass as I record all my own music, on me todd and want some real bass. I play guitar completely tuned down to D. Therefore i need to tune the bass down likewise. The strings that come on the SX are IMO far too light a gauge even for E tuning so I need something heavier so I can detune without fretbuzz etc. So I'm looking for some advice on gauges and makes/types of string as have never bought bass strings. I've read the type of string drastically reduces the tone so I'm after deep, warm sustained lows/subs rather than a bright "seinfield" slappy sound, if that makes sense. I'm making electronic Radioheady stuff so the bass has to have some substance. I have no idea about flats/rounds nickels etc and how they affect the sound so any advice welcomed. Also I'm gonna need a setup to get rid of my e string buzz and maybe a new bridge to accommodate the thicker strings so any recommended techs that would do this around SE London? I've seen the 2 in Croydon in the sticky, they're luthiers though so would they do setups too? I know that's a lot of Q's. Many thanks in advance, Elliott

[quote name='OldGit' post='143563' date='Feb 20 2008, 10:16 AM']Sounds like a winner - sadly the tax/duty bill will come in the post later re your D tune questions .. It woud be best to start a new thread about that, then it will get the attention of the downtune guys and be more productive than posting it here ... There's a few fretless SX's around on the forum too [/quote] Cheers man, I know you couldn't help as replied earlier, hoping someone else would, about the strings that is. Yeah emailed the rondo geexer about a fretless, maybe i should actually wait and see how this one turns out. They're too cheap though, I can see how easy it is to splurge on a new one 'cause you just fancy a Jazz or something. Am having a bit of a gear splurge at the mo.

Interesting... Am looking at an X3 Live, just wondering what people's experience is of the online editor. I'm still confused as to whether or not it's a separate purchase.

[quote name='OldGit' post='141295' date='Feb 15 2008, 07:14 PM']Now look .. are you prepared for the possible Road to Damascus experience when you strap on a bass? Meanwhile, congrats on your purchase. That looks like a good one. D tuning I can't help you with .. I suggest you try the bass as it is when it turns up. To all intents and purposes the bits on the SX's are good enough for most things. You may find it will be fine without any changes other than a normal set up and trus rod tweak. - oh and a bit of gentle 800 grit sanding on the back of the neck to take the stickiness out of the laquer. The bridges are a tad weedy though and I have heard some have had intonation problems. The Gotoh 203 is a good alternative - usually cost about 20 quid posted. Looks like a Fender "bent tin" one but with a lot more solid construction. Let us know how you get on .. OG[/quote] Just picked it up from fedex in Battersea. Ordered from Rondo on Friday night, missed delivery 10am this morning. Some UK shops would struggle to ship in that time. Despite the cardboard packaging there's not a mark on it. ^_^ It looks wicked, only fault being the wonky pots that wobble around like a soon to be detatched hub cap. You can't complain though for £80 can you (which is bizarrely what $180 dollars worked out to as my charge!). The neck is nice and fast, action is quite low, it plays really well. Just gonna give it an oil polish, maybe a bit of steel wool on the back. No sharp frets. Winner. Only real downer is the strings which tuned to E are still really slack so plenty of fret buzz unless you just tickle the strings. I need to tune it down 2 steps to D so am gonna have to get a much heavier gauge than is on here, any advice welcomed on brands/gauge as this is the first bass I have owned and therefore have to buy strings for. Really pleased with it though, very glad I found this thread and didn't spend £450 on a Fender, you all seem alright so hopefully will be on here a bit now myself. Quite fancy a fretless already. Old band bassist had a modded fender P with a rosewood fretless neck added, was a sweet sounding guitar, I loved playing it.

I was looking for a bass yesterday. I'm a guitarist, write/record songs and wanted to get some feel by using a real bass alongside my guitars and all the other synths/computers I use for everything else. Was looking at a Jap Fender and somehow stumbled upon an SX review and then this site. After trauling through this and other threads I just took the plunge and ordered this one... Any users of this bass and or advice for mods/strings etc? I play guitar in D tuning mostly so will have to do the same with bass so guess this affects strings. How important is the bridge mod? A lot of you seem to do it. Have seen a black gotoh for £27. Thanks in advance for any advice, am very excited, it was shipped today Elliott