Anyone tune their 6 string F#, B, E, A, D, G?

[kidgloves2]

Has anyone here tried tuning their 6 string F#, B, E, A, D, G? If so, what strings did you use and was the F# tight?

This is a long shot, but do you have any audio or video using it?

What is your overall opinion of it?

[D.A.R.K.]

i did, twice, and just started again today.
thread link:
sub contrabass tunings from '91
follow the link and check out the tracks with sub contrabass guitar
in the description.
i used ken smith strings at the time ('91), but there are better strings available today...
it is killer sounding (and feeling) imho.
however, i've only had one instrument that it worked (for me) on that was a production instrument. ymmv.
i just received another one, today, after a search....
very happy to be doing this again.

[Ric5]

I find the notes below the low B flat don't sound good.

[john turner]

a few of my 7's and both of my 8's are tuned with a low f# - been doing that since '97. i use SIT strings, with a .165 for the low f#, and they're pretty good.

i've been really digging skip fantry's circle k strings - got a couple sets that i've been trying out and they sound fantastic. last for months sounding new too.

the thing with lower-than-b notes in my opinion is that you need to use a sub of some sort - something geared toward reproducing the lower frequencies. doesn't necessarily have to be "flat to 18 hz" or any such nonsense, but the cabs need to have some kind of presence below 40 Hz.

[HaVIC5]

Originally Posted by Ric5

I find the notes below the low B flat don't sound good.

It depends on the instrument, the strings, and the quality of sound reproduction. I've heard low F#'s which sound pretty incredible.

When I had a 7-string (34" Conklin GT-7), I once tuned it F#BEADGC, and I had a lot of trouble getting those notes on the F# string to project myself. Part of it I think was the string I was using was far too light a gauge.

[kidgloves2]

What about tuning Drop-E? Meaning take the low F# and tune it down a whole step to get E-B-E-A-D-G? I think an extended scale Carvin could tighten up the lowest string. They're 35 1/4" scale and neck through. Plus use really heavy strings.

Also, would a bass cabinet with a 15" speaker help bring out the low F#/Drop-E?

[D.A.R.K.]

as far as scale, mine is 34" and is better sounding than longer scale erb's i've owned/tried. i think it is design and woods used, with the right pups. it is a production line instrument (no longer made though). the speaker doesn't matter as much as the cab design and tuning. ( i have a 1x10 cab that is tuned lower than 1x18 cabs i've owned). you do need a decent amount of power ime, those sub frequencies are hungry...
(i do like the "feel" of 18's though...)

[RickenBoogie]

+1 15" cabs aren't necessarily better for the low end just by the fact of their size. It's all about cabinet tuning. Check the FAQ's.

[greenboy]

I've been low-tuning for much of the past 10 years, and like D.A.R.K. started out with what conventional gauges were available at the time. Since ERB solutions began to appear I've found the best combination of fatness and definition for my 34" basses using Circle K strings.

As far as cabs, lots of bass cabs will deal with low F# at lower or moderate volumes. But to really leverage it at higher levels like john turner I think it sounds best with subwoofers that are tuned lower and have big excursion capabilities without farting out when the watts get poured on, along with something that can reach up higher than a sub, sitting on top.

That's basically what the fEarful cabs are: subwoofers in the same box as drivers that can reach up through the spectrum. Low tuning is a big part of why I designed 'em. I got tired of bulky cab combinations - or bass cabs that farted too easy and lost their tonal balance as they dropped off in response when the lower strings got played louder.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

About two weeks ago, just out of curiosity and as I had a "spare" (cheapo) 6er I bought the Warwick Dark Lord set + D&G as separate Black Labels.

I was amazed how well even a puny WM10 brought out some definition with absolutely stock pickups and electronics. True I can't push it at all if I want the speaker to stay in one piece, but this is definately something that I like to take further.

The BL gauges on mine (34") are: .045-.065-.085-.105-.135-.175

I don't feel that the .175 is particulary tight, but not overly loose either.
It does require some getting used to, but that's the case in anything worthwile?

Regards
Sam

[knuckle_head]

A friend of mine has his 6 tuned to F# - there are sound clips posted on BassTasters.

Yes, I made his bass.