My tuning

IAmTheWalrus · #1 11-26-2011, 10:32 PM

For basically a year I've been playing in Drop C, or low to high CGCF. Not trying to insult/disrespect anyone by putting each string, in my search of threads I've read a few conflicting posts about what constitutes a "drop" tuning so I put each string simply for clarification

Anyways, I've played in this tuning for basically a year and suffered through the low C string with a dull sounding A (ninth fret) and certain other notes with horrible sustain and buzz. I've tried changing the action and all that jazz but nothing seemed to work. I'd even taken it to a local store for a professional opinion and the man couldn't fix it without making the action uncomfortably high

It was then that he suggested I try a new tuning. I didn't want to have to sacrifice any songs that I play/wrote, but I realized that nothing really utilizes that low C beyond two songs I rarely play, and the few riffs I wrote that do use the low C aren't set in stone anyway, so I decided to simply raise my low C to C# and leave the others as GCF. The difference is like night and day! The sustain is amazing now, none of my notes buzz (unless I REALLY hit them hard), none of my notes are dull, and I think the most surprising thing of all is that my low string simply sounds better, like I have a new set of strings

I'm not really looking for any sort of feedback or anything, simply ranting about something cool that happened to me on here to fellow bassists (none of my friends are into music beyond listening so they just kinda give me an "........ok?" look and my band mates didn't seem that excited either). I do wonder though if there are other people who tune like this or something similar?

SLaPiNFuNK · #2 11-26-2011, 11:08 PM

There is no reason to try a new tuning... You can make that tuning work for you with the correct gauges of strings.

What strings are you using and what gauges?

If you are using a standard 45-105 set then there is a reason why it does not work for you!

IAmTheWalrus · #3 11-27-2011, 01:39 PM

I don't know what gauges my strings are but they're probably that standard set that you said. All I know about them is that they're Elixir strings. But I actually like my new weird tuning. Basically everything I play flows and sounds better

ixlramp · #4 11-27-2011, 02:10 PM

That's cool, i'm all for weird tunings. However the reason your C didn't work is because it was too loose. If you use a standard set and detune the E to C the tension drops to 63% and causes bad tone, buzzing etc. Tuning it up to C# increased the tension a little and solved the problems. You can tune to CGCF successfully if you want by using a thicker gauge and therefore tighter string for C.

FunkMetalBass · #5 11-27-2011, 03:08 PM

What ixlramp says is the truth. When under less tension, you lose most of the harmonic overtones that contribute to the clarity and tone of a string.

If you're ever interested in going back to CGCF, give the Circle K Dropped 118 or Dropped 124 a try. I have my low B-string tuned to G# with a .166, and it's a night and day difference over a typical 130 B.

wes stephenson · #6 11-27-2011, 03:15 PM

why dont you just get a 5 string set and tune your bass BEAD? you got an even lower note and string gauges that work better for that type of tuning.... i would love to get a 5 string and tune it F#BEAD

SLaPiNFuNK · #7 11-27-2011, 06:10 PM

If you enjoy the Elixirs, you can use a .125 for the Low-C C string, and the 50-105 set for the rest (not using the 105)...

So your string set will look like... .125 .085 .070 .050

Strings will feel like a standard tuning set but be in the tuning you want.

(Elixir does make singles available, however using only singles will end up costing more than their 4 string set + a .125)

IAmTheWalrus · #8 11-27-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wes stephenson

why dont you just get a 5 string set and tune your bass BEAD? you got an even lower note and string gauges that work better for that type of tuning.... i would love to get a 5 string and tune it F#BEAD

I thought about doing that but since I use a four string I didn't want to pay for an extra string I'm not gonna use. Didn't really see a point in it you know?

And beyond that I don't want to lose my high string and have to relearn stuff in a completely different location on the neck. It's one thing to move notes on one string up/down one fret and then another thing to move entire groupings of notes up the neck about five frets. I try not to play any higher than the 12th fret if I can help it. The notes get all "echo-y" and I can't stand how it sounds

tom once dead · #9 11-28-2011, 12:15 AM

I actually really dig the tone and feel of .105 at C. I've been playing it for so long now a bass stung with properly tensioned strings feels uncomfortable. I got a set of Circle K 43-150 for GCGCF which the tuning I play in, haven't put them on yet but I can't wait to see how they go.

c_maj · #10 11-28-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I actually really dig the tone and feel of .105 at C. I've been playing it for so long now a bass stung with properly tensioned strings feels uncomfortable. I got a set of Circle K 43-150 for GCGCF which the tuning I play in, haven't put them on yet but I can't wait to see how they go.

Me too. I do a CGDA tuning and have grown quite accustomed to my floppy string.

I once bought a 5-string set like slapinfunk suggested to use the low B for my C but the .125 gauge simply wouldn't fit in my bridge.

I've heard much ado about Circle K strings so keep us updated how things go for you.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 11-29-2011, 08:14 AM

One of the reasons I suggested the .125 is the OP wanted Elixir strings and that is the smallest B string they make. The next smaller string they make is a .105. It "works" for tuning to C, but really a .120 is ideal for a C string... Limited to one brand you got to work with what they have though.

You can always explore a Taper string. Many companies make a .120 Taper Core string that will work in your bridge.

FunkMetalBass · #12 11-30-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

You can always explore a Taper string. Many companies make a .120 Taper Core string that will work in your bridge.

I've always hated that phrase. Who came up with "taper core" anyway? The core isn't even the part that tapers. Silly marketing directors...

SLaPiNFuNK · #13 11-30-2011, 08:32 AM

Well... I guess it came from this:

Exposed Core = Where the outer windings completely taper off and expose the core of the string over the saddle.

Taper Core = The outer winding tapers off over the saddle where less windings are then over the core.

Some companies just call them Taper wound, some call Taper Core, and some don't tell you anything so when you go buy a set for your 5 string alembic you are stuck with a B string resting against the frets (that was my first experience with a tapered string... GRRRRRRR, still mad at that)

ixlramp · #14 11-30-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I actually really dig the tone and feel of .105 at C.

Yep i should clarify what i said, a 100 or 105 can certainly work at C with a light touch, but it wasn't working for the OP for some reason and a little more tension solved the problem.

Killcram187 · #15 11-30-2011, 09:44 PM

I tune to C#G#C#F# and I use 110s / 115s depending on the bass. I find the tension/playability best with hex cores

IAmTheWalrus · #16 11-30-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixlramp

...a 100 or 105 can certainly work at C with a light touch,...

Yeah...I don't play with a light touch lol I don't rip the strings off the saddles though. Maybe that's what was contributing to my string sounding bad? It was probably the tension thing though, it was pretty loose. But I also think it's partly my pickups as well, I don't think they're as strong as they could be. I plan on upgrading them at some point, I might see if physics or electronics were mostly to blame but I'm still digging this C# sound for now

ixlramp · #17 12-01-2011, 01:40 PM

If you return to CGCF and want the C as tight as the G, the gauge of the C needs to be roughly 1.5x the gauge of G, such as 120 80, 125 80, 130 85. The 1.5x rule is derived through the physics but can be confirmed looking at the tension chart for 'Nickelplated roundwounds' here: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf. You can use those charts to design sets in other brands too.
I suggest building a custom set from singles (here's a good place Build your own string set!) or buy a 'drop tune' set from Circle K, they are designed to have equal tension strings in a drop tuning.
For example an appropriate equal tension set would be 125 80 60 45 at roughly 35 pounds tension, similar tension to an Elixir medium set but with a tighter C. The Elixir medium and heavy sets have a 105 E so i guess that's what you have, so i suggest trying at least a 110 next time.

collins81 · #18 12-01-2011, 02:03 PM

why not tune the rest of the bass up a hald step if you like the c#...

IAmTheWalrus · #19 12-01-2011, 03:27 PM

Because there are a bunch of riffs I play that are alot easier with the strings offset like they are, both songs I've learned and my own creations

ixlramp · #20 12-01-2011, 07:43 PM

Oh and ... to finally address your first post ... i haven't tuned exactly that way but i tried all-tritones, makes a lot of sense and intuitive to have the octave 2 strings up on the same fret, good for root-octave chords. You only need learn a pattern over 2 strings and it's repeated every 2 strings. Feels strange to play, stranger than fifths. Major thirds, tritones, fifths all make good sense to me as tunings, fourths is the weird one