Drop tuning

[vmaxblues]

Hi guys,

Due to a new singer joining my main band as the previous incumbent retired, there are a group of songs we have to drop a tone, and some of these don't transpose well on standard tuning.

I tuned down one of basses a whole tone and it works well enough, but obviously strings are slacker, and the feel is different, is there any words of wisdom on this one?


Cheers

Stuart

[bobbass4k]

I'm now permanently tuned to D standard/Drop C, it's just better for me. If it's going to be a permanent thing and you've got multiple basses I would dedicate one to D standard, switching between E and D standard a lot is a one way to ticket to a warped neck.

My best tip is get some DR DDT's. They're a bit pricy but there's no better strings for drop tuning. By some engineering witchcraft they don't lose tension in drop tunings, so you can use the same gauge you normally use and they won't be slacker. If you've got a brand you like already, then get a heavier gauge set and set it up properly with them.

[chrismuzz]

I just use heavier gauge strings for tuning down, it's all good! GENERALLY I go up by .005 for every semitone, so in standard tuning the bottom string would be .100 and for D tuning a .110. But a lot of it depends on personal preference and what bass you use

[Left Foot]

All my bases are belonging to drop B then 1+1/2 steps down. There strings with a 'denser?' coil for down tuning, I have not picked any up yet but will be getting some of these from Labella: [url="http://www.labella.com/products/dt54/"]http://www.labella.com/products/dt54/[/url] not sure if gimmick so will try them out soon, thickness seems regular?

[mike257]

Yep, chunkier strings should give you some of that tension back, if you're making a permanent switch on one bass it might warrant a small tweak to the truss rod as it adjusts to the different tension on the neck.

[richardjmorgan]

+1 for the DDTs. Got a set of 125s on my P-Bass copy (tuned C# F# B E) and the tension's as good as on anything I've played in standard. Find the bottom string a bit excessively hefty though so I'm going to give the 115 set a go. (They need replacing anyway as all the strings have a dent at the 12th fret from where the cat knocked it out of its stand)

[Bassulike66]

I tune A# D# G# C# I did use DR DDT's but they had a nasty habit of rapidly wearing out my frets!!

I now use D' Addario's nickel plated round wounds. 135, 105, 85, 65. i don't suffer any fret wear with these mofo's!

Depending on the severity of your desired tuning, you will more than likely have to adjust your neck and intonation.

[thunderbird13]

Sorry I'm probably missing something but would it not just be easier to play a 5 string ?

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='Bassulike66' timestamp='1365172786' post='2036341']
I tune A# D# G# C# I did use DR DDT's but they had a nasty habit of rapidly wearing out my frets!!

I now use D' Addario's nickel plated round wounds. 135, 105, 85, 65. i don't suffer any fret wear with these mofo's!

Depending on the severity of your desired tuning, you will more than likely have to adjust your neck and intonation.
[/quote]


You've tuned up to A#?! Lightweight!

[Bassulike66]

You've tuned up to A#?! Lightweight!




Yes matey...im getting old, losing the feeling in my fingers, needed to feel some response from the string.

[Bassulike66]

[quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1365173268' post='2036352']
Sorry I'm probably missing something but would it not just be easier to play a 5 string ?
[/quote]

Can't cope with the string spacing on fivers...believe me Ive tried!!

[cheddatom]

I used to drop tune and use a capo for certain songs which meant I didn't have to swap basses.

[Stan_da_man]

.105's for me if in D standard.

[lou24d53]

Or failing all the advice given above, you could buy a new 5-string?

Much like the Lakland 55-02 I'm selling on here...haha...

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I personally prefer the feel of a down-tuned 4 string to a standard fiver. The extra rattle and growl suits me and can be amazingly aggressive if handled correctly.
I generally find B strings wooly - except for that Spector Euro fiver I briefly owned.

[seashell]

Had to try drop D tuning for the first time today as the rest of number 2 band wanted to try 'Heart Shaped Box'. Way out of my comfort zone, it got me all flustered and panicky. And grumpy.

But hey ho, all part of the learning curve I guess. I suppose I'll get to grips with it eventually.

They'll be asking me to learn to use a pick next....

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

I was in a strange band a few years back. Because the guitards use capos a couple of songs were down tuned. The songs we were playing, would not be recognisable by anybody under 95. Trouble is , once I learnt a couple of said songs, they 'd change tuning again.
Foo fighters have lots of odd stuf in their songs. Ok for a 5 string.
What some bass folk do, is have 2 basses. One in standard tuning and one in b e a d . If they are the same make of bass, then I would think it would be a good option.
Then you get some who tune lower than b.......