Playing Drop C - Fender Precision

[alexisonfire]

Hi!

I'm going to be filling in for a mate on bass for three gigs in September. I'll be using my own equipment rather than his.

The problem is, I tuned my P bass down to drop C and it sounds like a wet fart.

From what I can gather, getting a thicker gauge set of strings will help, but does anyone have any other ideas ontop of a restring?

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

[Cat Burrito]

I assume you've had it set up properly for this? The tension on the truss rod will be a lot different which could be part of the problem

[basshead56]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='910166' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:30 PM']I assume you've had it set up properly for this? The tension on the truss rod will be a lot different which could be part of the problem[/quote]


+1!
Get the bridge and truss rod sorted and all sould be ok, though I always prefer something active or very bright/hot in the pickup department when down tuning, as my passive P basses tend to just sound muddy and confused. Mind you I´ve only had to do it (drop c) twice and both times were in the studio only, so had the bass set up specifically for that purpose.

Edited July 30, 2010 by basshead56

[Wil]

Why not string it BEAD?

[Sibob]

Try some high tension strings from Newtone Strings.
I had two basses in Drop C Standard for a good 3 years, using 45-105 gauge strings, with a similar action and tension to standard tuning!
The only downside to higher tension is that they often don't go up to Standard too well. You obviously have to set the neck up to accomodate them.

Remember that it's the core of the string that determines tension, not really the size/guage of the outer winding.

Give Malcolm a call, tell him your tuning, and they'll sort something out for you....usually for a similar price to Elites/Rotos

Si

[dannybuoy]

Unless you have a lot of riffs that rely on the open C or are too tricky to play otherwise, BEAD tuning is the way to go. Otherwise there are specialist strings like the new DR DDT's:

[url="http://www.drstrings.com/catalog/ddt-bass-strings"]http://www.drstrings.com/catalog/ddt-bass-strings[/url]

[Prosebass]

[quote name='Sibob' post='910336' date='Jul 30 2010, 03:17 PM']Try some high tension strings from Newtone Strings.
I had two basses in Drop C Standard for a good 3 years, using 45-105 gauge strings, with a similar action and tension to standard tuning!
The only downside to higher tension is that they often don't go up to Standard too well. You obviously have to set the neck up to accomodate them.

Remember that it's the core of the string that determines tension, not really the size/guage of the outer winding.

Give Malcolm a call, tell him your tuning, and they'll sort something out for you....usually for a similar price to Elites/Rotos

Si[/quote]

Wise words and good advice.
Just rang Malcolm for a chat as I want him to make some strings for my 28" scale basses .

[alexisonfire]

[quote name='Sibob' post='910336' date='Jul 30 2010, 03:17 PM']Try some high tension strings from Newtone Strings.
I had two basses in Drop C Standard for a good 3 years, using 45-105 gauge strings, with a similar action and tension to standard tuning!
The only downside to higher tension is that they often don't go up to Standard too well. You obviously have to set the neck up to accomodate them.

Remember that it's the core of the string that determines tension, not really the size/guage of the outer winding.

Give Malcolm a call, tell him your tuning, and they'll sort something out for you....usually for a similar price to Elites/Rotos

Si[/quote]

Nice one Si, I'll give em a ring. I need go get my bass setup for it too.

[TomTom]

I always play in drop c with my band and i have my ibanez set up for it. I normally use Elite 110s which sound pretty good for me, although next time ill be trying the DR DDT's.

[alexisonfire]

Just found out Joe the actual bassist uses the Killswitch Signature, the beast comes out the factory in drop C!!

[cocco]

Maybe a preamp pedal, Sansamp BDDI or simular would help? I use one for our C stuff. It really kicks things up a notch.

[nash]

I've always liked 110 for drop C.