BigBadBass Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 hello! ive started jamming with a new band where the guitarist tunes in d standard, drop c and C standard because it suits his vocals better. the band has a kinda funk vibe to it. i have always played a 5 string as the first 'proper' bass was a 5. I have never needed to change tuning before playing in standard or even drop d cause i have those extra notes on the 5. i found it easier to tune to him for jamming purposes for some of the riffs hes playing. Any advice on tuning down and keeping as much tension on the strings as possible? cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 [quote name='BigBadBass' post='601358' date='Sep 17 2009, 02:49 PM']Any advice on tuning down and keeping as much tension on the strings as possible?[/quote] Heavier strings. However, I'd have a go at playing the riffs in standard tuning as it may give a nice difference in feel. Or ask him if he'd like to drop a semitone further to B standard tuning! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadBass Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 [quote name='alexclaber' post='601386' date='Sep 17 2009, 03:22 PM']Heavier strings. However, I'd have a go at playing the riffs in standard tuning as it may give a nice difference in feel. Or ask him if he'd like to drop a semitone further to B standard tuning! Alex[/quote] i think i might keep my 5 in standard and maybe aquire a 4 to keep in drop c with heavier strings as some of the riffs are much easier and sound better with an open c. Any string in particular you would recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 or tune your bass to C standard and learn all the D and drop C songs in C standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I was going to suggest getting a 4 and tuning it to C mate. Ideally though I'd try to stick to standard BEADG and learn the riffs. It does make it a lot harder but in the end it will improve your playing and your technique and when you do gigs you won't have to faff about changing basses and tunings. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thump Boy Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I would hate to mess up a perfectly good setup by retuning. If you are happy with the way your bass plays now, it will all change with heavier strings and a different tuning. Go ahead and get a second bass and you are still good for gigs with standard tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 [quote name='BigBadBass' post='601358' date='Sep 17 2009, 02:49 PM']hello! ive started jamming with a new band where the guitarist tunes in d standard, drop c and C standard because it suits his vocals better. the band has a kinda funk vibe to it. i have always played a 5 string as the first 'proper' bass was a 5. I have never needed to change tuning before playing in standard or even drop d cause i have those extra notes on the 5. i found it easier to tune to him for jamming purposes for some of the riffs hes playing. Any advice on tuning down and keeping as much tension on the strings as possible? cheers Steve[/quote] That's metal band talk. They seem to have to pick weird tunings and then all tune the same to show solidarity or something. I don't understand why the bass player can't just leave it alone - more so if you have a 5 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) I've had my Vampyre tuned to C since first getting it - as a tuning, I love it. On the Warwick forum, someone had posted the suggested string gauges for keeping similar tension on the neck as in E. I ended up using Warwick Red Labels (the thicker 4 of a 5 string set) which gives me a .130 C string and it works well. Edited September 17, 2009 by Eight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='601592' date='Sep 17 2009, 07:12 PM']That's metal band talk. They seem to have to pick weird tunings and then all tune the same to show solidarity or something. I don't understand why the bass player can't just leave it alone - more so if you have a 5 string.[/quote] When you're playing unison riffs with the guitar that have lots of open string pedal notes (like a lot of metal riffs) it can be easier to play a downtuned bass. That said, having done both, I much prefer playing the 5 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='601592' date='Sep 17 2009, 07:12 PM']That's metal band talk. They seem to have to pick weird tunings and then all tune the same to show solidarity or something. I don't understand why the bass player can't just leave it alone - more so if you have a 5 string.[/quote] +1 - but then I would never have anything to do with metal anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Leave it tuned to BEADG and capo it? This assumes that you want/need the equivalent of "Open D" or "Open C" to play off of or pedal against etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadBass Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 oddly enough is nothing like metal its more of a tuned down funk kinda vibe. I think i might get a 4 string and tune it to C that way im not changing the set up of my main bass. Its a good excuse to buy another bass haha theres a couple of the riffs that is played on the open C and it sounds really good, to jump back up to the first fret of the B would be a nightmare hahah Cheers for the responses!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 [i][I'm gonna have to start putting this answer in my signature lol][/i] I currently tune Drop C Standard for my band FSOF and use string gauges 45-105, with similar tension and action to standard tuning. It's as much (if not more) to do with the core thickness, thicker core, more tension! Try giving Malcolm at Newtone Strings a call, tell him your preferred gauge (what you find comfortable), the tuning you wish to use, and he'll sort you out a tension that works best! Oh and they cost no more than a set of Elite/Rotos Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 [quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='601625' date='Sep 17 2009, 07:45 PM']When you're playing unison riffs with the guitar that have lots of open string pedal notes (like a lot of metal riffs) it can be easier to play a downtuned bass.[/quote] ...which is exactly why I use a dowtuned 4-string for Delirium rather than my 5-string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 [quote name='Sibob' post='602862' date='Sep 19 2009, 12:52 PM'][i][I'm gonna have to start putting this answer in my signature lol][/i] I currently tune Drop C Standard for my band FSOF and use string gauges 45-105, with similar tension and action to standard tuning. It's as much (if not more) to do with the core thickness, thicker core, more tension! Try giving Malcolm at Newtone Strings a call, tell him your preferred gauge (what you find comfortable), the tuning you wish to use, and he'll sort you out a tension that works best! Oh and they cost no more than a set of Elite/Rotos Si[/quote] I did find Newtones die fairly quickly (especially nickels) but the old meths bath sorts them rought out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='602930' date='Sep 19 2009, 02:33 PM']I did find Newtones die fairly quickly (especially nickels) but the old meths bath sorts them rought out.[/quote] Really? I have mine on for months lol Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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