Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 For 3 songs with the band I have to go to DGCF for the singer's range. Problem is I'm using a passive jazz and just get way too much thump. Apart from altering the eq mid set (which I don't want to do) is there anything else I can do? Maybe try different strings? It's got light Roto Nickels on presently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-basser Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Could try some punchier strings, DR lowriders are my preference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='d-basser' post='754649' date='Feb 23 2010, 07:39 AM']Could try some punchier strings, DR lowriders are my preference[/quote] Are low riders more zingy? I presumed they'd be more thumpy and ermm low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Presumably you're swapping basses mid-set and not just retuning? If so you should expect to have to tweak your volume or eq if you don't want to fiddle with the amp you could try an eq pedal perhaps? Also if your jazz is too thumpy, how do you have the controls set? Can you just back off the neck pickup a tad or even lower the pickup slightly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='dannybuoy' post='754710' date='Feb 23 2010, 09:13 AM']Presumably you're swapping basses mid-set and not just retuning? If so you should expect to have to tweak your volume or eq if you don't want to fiddle with the amp you could try an eq pedal perhaps? Also if your jazz is too thumpy, how do you have the controls set? Can you just back off the neck pickup a tad or even lower the pickup slightly?[/quote] yeah using a different bass. If I roll off the neck and onto the bridge pickup I get too much fret clank due to running less string tension. Never thought about lowering the pickup...might give that a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-basser Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='754651' date='Feb 23 2010, 07:44 AM']Are low riders more zingy? I presumed they'd be more thumpy and ermm low[/quote] the Lo refers to the high tension design allowing you to achieve very low action without fret buzz. I finf the nice and punchy without too much brightness,edgier that roto nickles though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Can't you just drop the E string down a tone and keep the rest in standard tuning? All the notes are still there in standard tuning-except for the low Eb and D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 *ahemfivestringahem* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='The Funk' post='754924' date='Feb 23 2010, 12:55 PM']*ahemfivestringahem*[/quote] I can't get on with the neck size on a 5...dropping the e would be the answer but then I would have to relearn 27 songs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='754718' date='Feb 23 2010, 09:20 AM']yeah using a different bass. If I roll off the neck and onto the bridge pickup I get too much fret clank due to running less string tension. Never thought about lowering the pickup...might give that a try[/quote] Reducing the volume of the neck pickup and lowering the neck pickup into the body would have roughly the same effect. If you're getting more clank because the bridge pickup has more treble, then try turning down the tone control. If your string tension is too low then get a higher string guage. The DR Lo-Riders are quite tight string, you can try them in the 45-105 guage, or get something even beefier. If you don't use the G too often you could even string BEAD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='754988' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:31 PM']I can't get on with the neck size on a 5...dropping the e would be the answer but then I would have to relearn 27 songs...[/quote] Half our set was in standard tuning and half in Drop D. Retuning bottom string from E to D takes around 5 seconds. Try using a pick on the drop D numbers - that'll give you less thump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote]... Apart from altering the eq mid set (which I don't want to do) ...[/quote] Why not? It's likely just a tweak off the Bass/Low control... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Cheers for the replies guys. Now trying to decide if it would be worth dropping the E to D... Has anyone done this and had to relearn lots of songs? Is it worth doing? Going to one bass and a spare would be far easier than having to take 2 spares... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 If you have only 3 songs in drop D, I can't see why you would need to relearn all the other songs, or take 3 basses to gigs. I used to use drop D for 2 songs out of 20. I just took 2 basses to gigs, tuned one drop D, used the other for the rest of the set. If there had been a problem with the main bass, which there never was, it would have taken 30 secs at most to retune the dropped one. Incidentally, string spacing and neck width on 5-strings can vary quite a lot, depending on the model, so it might be worth looking again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='spinynorman' post='755053' date='Feb 23 2010, 02:54 PM']If you have only 3 songs in drop D...[/quote] The three songs are DGCF not just dropped D. Think I may just try dropping the E string on the fly. I'm sure I've got a tuner out on the amp... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 We have a few songs that we drop to D for. I hit the open D & me & the guitar drops to it in unison. No tuner needed. We just use 5 & 7 fret harmonics to tune back up. No mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dub Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Although it sounds like a hassle re-learning the songs in drop D, it's the best solution to the problem. You'll probably get a new take on some of the tunes, and once you've done it you'll be much more familiar with that tuning and feeling good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 i used to play in drop tunings a lot, get some heavier guage strings and play on your bridge pickup, that should sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I'm slightly confused....... If you only have three songs that involve the bass being tuned down a tone on all strings,surely you would only have to relearn those three songs and not the whole set? It's also another good argument for not just learning the songs by patterns-if you know the notes that you are playing,it won't take much to relearn them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endorka Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 [quote name='Doddy' post='757277' date='Feb 25 2010, 04:47 PM']If you only have three songs that involve the bass being tuned down a tone on all strings,surely you would only have to relearn those three songs and not the whole set?[/quote] Yup - and if you get a Hipshot D-tuner, you don't have to worry about re-tuning between songs etc. A flip of the switch will move you from EADG to DADG, even during a song if you're quick enough. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanOwens Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 And I know its been said a few times but I really want to reiterate: Just because you've learnt it in DGCF, doesn't mean it can't be played in DADG. It just means you might need to re-shape some of it and play a couple of stretches/slides. I know what I'd do, but if DGCF and new strings work for you then go for it! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='754988' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:31 PM']I can't get on with the neck size on a 5...dropping the e would be the answer but then I would have to relearn 27 songs...[/quote] Get a Spector or a Warwick Rockbass, two of the most comfortale necks on a 5 string bass if you're used to 4 strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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