Dibcharge Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I currently play a Fender MIM Jazz, set up in Drop B with a .120 B string. - but have been thinking about buying a Sire MM V7 4-string as a back up/replacement (if they are as good as I've been led to believe) - I play in a doom/stoner/post-metal band, use a Hartke Bass Attack Pre-amp pedal into an Orange OB1 and thoroughly hate 5 string basses, so they are out of the question. My question is - has anyone bought a 4 string version of this bass and set up with heavy gauge strings/drop tuned it? How did it manage? Do you have any recorded samples of one? Massive thanks to anyone who can help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Had my 5 string Sire tuned drop A when I had it. Worked grand so can't see any reason the 4 wouldn't handle it, other than needing thicker strings to keep the tuning taught. I ordered a D'addario of the heaviest gauge I could get for my lowest string. The nut will need attention and the bass set up appropriately. If you can match the tension on the neck (with a higher gauge of string tuned low) everything else is really unimportant. Only issue I would guess is the bridge being able to handle the thicker gauge strings... I couldn't handle a 120 gauge B string though... far too floppy for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Why do you hate 5 string basses? Seems odd to hate an instrument that could be perfect for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibcharge Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1505906175' post='3375086'] Had my 5 string Sire tuned drop A when I had it. Worked grand so can't see any reason the 4 wouldn't handle it, other than needing thicker strings to keep the tuning taught. I ordered a D'addario of the heaviest gauge I could get for my lowest string. The nut will need attention and the bass set up appropriately. If you can match the tension on the neck (with a higher gauge of string tuned low) everything else is really unimportant. Only issue I would guess is the bridge being able to handle the thicker gauge strings... I couldn't handle a 120 gauge B string though... far too floppy for me! [/quote] I had considered the issue of the string thru being too small for a heavy gauge (an issue I had with an LTD previously)/nut adjustment but was more concerned over the sound, I'm guessing if the EQ is the same across 4/5 string models it would be fine. - I usually go for Roto Dropzones but the Fender didn't play particularly well with a .130 on the low B, even after a full set up, we play slow enough for the slack to not really be an issue. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Good choice on the Hartke Attack by the way. I had mine up for sale briefly and pulled it after playing it again. Greatly underrated preamp... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibcharge Posted September 20, 2017 Author Share Posted September 20, 2017 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1505906896' post='3375100'] Why do you hate 5 string basses? Seems odd to hate an instrument that could be perfect for you. [/quote] [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Mostly due to the string spacing at the bridge being closer together to allow for more strings and the broadness of the necks, it just doesn't suit me. I've personally never played a 5string that I've liked so downtuned 4strings as an alternative. [/color][/font] [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1505907074' post='3375103'] Good choice on the Hartke Attack by the way. I had mine up for sale briefly and pulled it after playing it again. Greatly underrated preamp... [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hartke Bass Attack is an "always on" kinda pedal. Makes the OB1 sing! [/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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