Dropped tuning. Please help!

Flipper43 · #1 01-01-2010, 06:52 PM

Hi guys, i'm sorry if something like this has been posted before. If it has, instead of saying "search", could you actually give me a link to a thread? Thanks.

Ok, so, me and my guitarist have made the decision of down-tuning from now on. We are going to tune to drop D (half step down) on all of the strings, but sometimes on the low E string, are going to go one half step down from D, which in our case would mean a full step down from E standard tuning. I need strings that could have enough tension to not flap around in these tunings, and ones that sound good as well. I was thinking some kind of rotosounds. Do you think that the RS66LE (50-110) would be enough, or not? When you post strings on here, could you also put some detail about them too, if it's not too much to ask? Thanks.

Also, i would like to know: If i were to put strings of a gauge that could have enough tension for those tunings above, would i have to buy a seperate bass for regular E tunings? Thanks guys. If you need me to elaborate on anything just tell me.

diechris · #2 01-01-2010, 07:10 PM

I would say just try some 110s..

It comes down to preference, playing style and scale length.. I've been running 40-100 on a 35" scale bass in drop C for the past year now and it has had enough tension for me.

Flipper43 · #3 01-01-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

I would say just try some 110s..

It comes down to preference, playing style and scale length.. I've been running 40-100 on a 35" scale bass in drop C for the past year now and it has had enough tension for me.

I play on a 34" scale with a pick (to have more of a distinction in my band). I was planning to buy the 110's, but i didn't know if i would have enough tension going into the C range.

southshoreconor · #4 01-01-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper43

We are going to tune to drop D (half step down) on all of the strings, but sometimes on the low E string, are going to go one half step down from D, which in our case would mean a full step down from E standard tuning.

edit: a 110 low string should be fine from low E to C. on my jazz bass i usually go with 40 or 45 - 100 to tune Eb.

Flipper43 · #5 01-01-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southshoreconor

Sorry i must have been babbling. The "standard tuning" we're going to use is Eb-Ab-Db-Gb, and then some of the songs will have a tuning like this: D-Ab-Db-Gb. Sorry if i got that wrong, or if you still don't understand.

The point is to go a half step down from E on the strings, and sometimes go another half step down on the E string. So it'd be another half step down from E flat.

WayneS · #6 01-01-2010, 07:43 PM

Eb and D# are the same note.

1/2 step down from Eb will be D.

Flipper43 · #7 01-01-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

Eb and D# are the same note.

1/2 step down from Eb will be D.

Silly me i forgot. Sorry

WayneS · #8 01-01-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper43

Silly me i forgot. Sorry

How long have you been playing bass? Just out of curiosity.

This really seems like common knowledge. Did you try it on the strings you have now?

Flipper43 · #9 01-01-2010, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

How long have you been playing bass? Just out of curiosity.

This really seems like common knowledge. Did you try it on the strings you have now?

Well, i started playing guitar when i was about 9, but i started playing bass when i was 14. So for 3 years i've been playing. I've just never been good memory-wise with notes

Yes, i did try it on the strings i have now, and whenever i tune down to that level they get really flappy, and i can't really make out any notes from them. They have a pretty good amount of the ability to bend at even E-A-D-G tuning. I can't remember exactly what gauge they are, but i think they must be a pretty low gauge.

WayneS · #10 01-01-2010, 07:59 PM

Gotcha!

I'd go with the Rotos... 55 - 110. I've used these for dropped tuning for a few years.

natobasso · #11 01-01-2010, 08:00 PM

You aren't tuning down far enough to cause too many issues unless your string action (height off the fingerboard) is extremely low. If your action is low and you tune down you might get some buzzing.

If you want to switch between those tunings quickly it might be good to have two different basses for a gig, but for practice or other times you could just do with a good tuner you can see easily (I love my Korg rack tuner).

If you have any doubts about your bass handling the reduced strain from detuning, have it checked by a professional luthier/repairperson.

Also, know there is a Hipshot detuning key you can by that allows you to flip the low E string to D or another note you set below E. I have one and it's very very cool and saves time on tuning! I don't detune the other strings; just the E string.

WayneS · #12 01-01-2010, 08:02 PM

If you are only tuning one string 1/2 step then you dont need two basses. That takes like 5 seconds... 10 at the most.

Flipper43 · #13 01-01-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

If you are only tuning one string 1/2 step then you dont need two basses. That takes like 5 seconds... 10 at the most.

I was just wondering if since the strings were going to have a good amount of tension at lower tunings, they might break when tuned too high due to too much tension.

natobasso · #14 01-01-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

If you are only tuning one string 1/2 step then you dont need two basses. That takes like 5 seconds... 10 at the most.

Read the entire thread: Person said they were tuning all four strings down either a 1/2 or whole step. That's more time consuming.

Flipper43 · #15 01-01-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

Gotcha!

I'd go with the Rotos... 55 - 110. I've used these for dropped tuning for a few years.

The roundwounds, right? You think that'd be a good gauge for what i'm doing?

WayneS · #16 01-01-2010, 08:07 PM

They wont break at standard tunings, unless they're bad anyway.

I'm assuming thats what you mean by "tuned too high", standard tuning.

Flipper43 · #17 01-01-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natobasso

Read the entire thread: Person said they were tuning all four strings down either a 1/2 or whole step. That's more time consuming.

I meant that all of the strings are always going to be 1/2 a step down, and the E string would be a whole step down at times.

Flipper43 · #18 01-01-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

I'm assuming thats what you mean by "tuned too high", standard tuning.

Yes, that's what i mean.

WayneS · #19 01-01-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natobasso

Read the entire thread: Person said they were tuning all four strings down either a 1/2 or whole step. That's more time consuming.

"Ok, so, me and my guitarist have made the decision of down-tuning from now on. We are going to tune to drop D (half step down) on all of the strings, but sometimes on the low E string, are going to go one half step down from D..."

You misread...not me.

WayneS · #20 01-01-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper43

The roundwounds, right? You think that'd be a good gauge for what i'm doing?

Yeah... the RS66's. That would be my choice anyway.