Metal bassist looking to drop 5 string 1 1/2 steps.

nodestiny · #1 05-22-2009, 11:30 AM

Hey gang,

I have a Schecter Omen-5 I got a killer deal on. I bought this bass because of its awesome rumble... which would go perfect by dropping this baby 1 1/2 steps! (Have plenty of other basses in standard tuning, wanted something to toy around with in different tunings). This would give me (lowest to highest) G#, C#, F#, B#, and E#. This bass is a 35" scale.

Which strings would you recommend for this setup exactly? I searched and didn't find this specific request and I played with a calculator and got all kinds of lost (plus I wanted more specifics from hopefully some experience). I would like to obviously keep the rumble but offer great harmonics, especially for tapping!

Thanx for all your help!

knuckle_head · #2 05-22-2009, 12:47 PM

D'Addario does or did make a .145, and I recall La Bella doing so as well - if you come by one of those and find a 4 string set with a .110 on bottom you should be set.

nodestiny · #3 05-27-2009, 01:47 PM

Thanx for the tips.

Is there anywhere that explains how to use those charts/diagrams etc. with string tension and what not?

knuckle_head · #4 05-27-2009, 10:07 PM

Do you have access to Microsoft Excel? I can point you to a spread sheet that will do the calculations for tension.

nodestiny · #5 05-28-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Do you have access to Microsoft Excel? I can point you to a spread sheet that will do the calculations for tension.

I have OOo which will open them and edit them. I have seen the calculators online, just don't know how to use them. As well as, I have been to D'Addario's site and seen their graphs, just don't understand what I am looking for. What do you look for in the tension numbers?

knuckle_head · #6 05-28-2009, 09:33 PM

The calculator I have/use lets you enter the scale length of your bass, the frequency you want to tune to, and the weight per inch of the string (this is part of the data in D'Addario's tension chart). It will calculate the tension in pounds based on what you enter.

roschmbo · #7 05-28-2009, 09:37 PM

1 1/2 steps lower would make your top strings B and E.

Ayliffe · #8 05-28-2009, 10:29 PM

K i gotta ask, as a metal bassist myself... What in the **** do you need to play in G# for? Any guitar with competent distortion is going to sound like either: a) mud, or b) atonal, no one will be able to pick out the note differential that low with a distorted guitar.

Jools4001 · #9 05-28-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roschmbo

1 1/2 steps lower would make your top strings B and E.

+1

And B# and E#? Most people would call those notes C and F unless you're REALLY fussy about tuning to the point where you hear a difference between G# and Ab

KLEIN · #10 05-28-2009, 11:01 PM

I say try to tune as low as you can. I toyed with tuning my bass 1 whole octave lower. The human ear cant distinguish the low E, but it sure did shake the whole studio going through a 1600w amp LOL.

knuckle_head · #11 05-29-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLEIN

I say try to tune as low as you can. I toyed with tuning my bass 1 whole octave lower. The human ear cant distinguish the low E, but it sure did shake the whole studio going through a 1600w amp LOL.

If its done properly you will get full tonal audibility. It's the way I tune my personal 4 - it's all about the overtones.

Ayliff - You know, G is a very common tuning these days....

Greevus · #12 05-29-2009, 10:10 PM

i would love to hear it when you get it right. i've gone from E all the way down to B and just got a 5 string. i've played with dropping it down a whole step and it's pretty cool. your guitar players are really gonna hate you. i love that.

The Ethanator · #13 05-29-2009, 10:17 PM

yeah, im kinda wondering what youd need to go to G# standard for myself... what bands play in that tuning? A standard isnt all that rare, and some bassists that play in bands where the guitars use D standard use A standard so they have that next lower string. oh well, the point here isnt to argue tunings, do what you want. and once you do it, record some riffs and post them here. sounds like it could be cool

nodestiny · #14 05-29-2009, 11:35 PM

Its for a few specific songs. The guitarist is tuned 1 1/2 steps down (so C#, F#, B, etc)... I don't like specifically playing along side the guitarist... sometime I like playing up to 2 octaves lower. Just personal preference and play style. I tuned it down with the stock strings... outside of the flappy strings, it really gives it the grungy lows I want with awesome overtones. Closest thing I can think of is something like Fear Factory when the bass was just chompin away... just right now, sounds flappier.

There are a few bands out there that travel that low. Many put the limits to a 7 string guitar tuned 1 step down (and 5 string tuned 1 step down)... but since I'm fortunate to have a guitarist who would rather tune down with a 6 string, it gives me a lot more play for some low end action.

Josh Pelican · #15 06-02-2009, 04:22 PM

I've got a five string in that tuning with the thickest d'Addario strings on it.

It sounds wonderful.

nodestiny · #16 06-20-2009, 03:40 PM

I threw on a 145 for my lowest. Seems to work just perfectly. Wicked low end sound! I went with the tapered, though.

Solarmist · #17 06-22-2009, 02:51 AM

Wouldn't 1 step lower work better than 1 1/2 as in ADGCF? < 135 / 110 / 90 / 70 / 50