Responsive to altered tuning?

Mr. Moustache · #1 04-25-2009, 05:25 PM

I'm looking to transfrom one of my 4 strings into an experiment, persay.

I've thought about messing around with alternate tuning for a long time, but I'm realizing very quickly that I'm going to need to upgrade my strings if I want to mess around with drastic tunings....

Any recommendations for string brands / types? I'm completely new to this particular world of bass so I have no idea where to even start looking.

knuckle_head · #2 04-25-2009, 05:34 PM

Do you know where you want your experimentation to lead?

JustStrings.com has singles from quite a few manufacturers...

Mr. Moustache · #3 04-26-2009, 05:49 PM

At the moment I'm only messing with easily reversable alteration, strings, preamp, other J pickups, etc. If all goes well I might start looking into different types of pickups, tremolo.

I'm just very curious about the alternate tunings similar to what Michael Manray uses, but all of my strings can't handle much more the a whole step in either direction without completely losing their tone. Though that could be my pickiness with strings as well...

I've heard some people mention piccolo strings responding really well to different tunings in the past, any idea what a good manufacturer of these might be? I'd prefer to stay in the realm of normal bass strings, but I'm definitely willing to try something new as well.

knuckle_head · #4 04-26-2009, 07:08 PM

He has quite the get up - he can retune at the headstock and the bridge if the stories I've been told are true.

That's quite the investment in hardware.

Strings will actually be the easy part if you go that direction methinks.

If you intend to do what he does with standard tuners then what you'll need to do is find your tuning extremes and figure out the tension for each that is comfortable to you.

Follow this link; http://lowdownlowdown.com/greenboy/DL/String/ - you'll find the D'Addario unit weights resource and a spread sheet that will let you play with values to at least ballpark potential gaugings.

Mr. Moustache · #5 04-26-2009, 07:23 PM

Mk... I know what my scale length is, but how exactly do I figure out my frequency, unit weight, and tension?

Also, I wasn't planning on doing any of the crazy midsong switches like he does. I've seen a lot of amateurs that use one alt tuning for the whole piece, I just couldn't think of any pros who had select tunings for each song. Tuning like a cello, things of that nature, are more what I'm interested in.

Ric5 · #6 04-26-2009, 07:30 PM

The most useful alternate tuning for a 4 string bass in my mind would either be DGCF or BEAD.

Mr. Moustache · #7 04-26-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

The most useful alternate tuning for a 4 string bass in my mind would either be DGCF or BEAD.

For a band setting, I totally agree, I rarely even use drop D in a band setting, to be completely honest.

I'm looking into this for solo bass projects, mostly classical music and other transpositions.

knuckle_head · #8 04-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Moustache

Mk... I know what my scale length is, but how exactly do I figure out my frequency, unit weight, and tension?

Standard E is 40 Hz - I included the two octaves beneath that because I didn't want to edit my data.

At the link above you'll find a D'Addario product info PDF - listed in it are unit weights based on gauge and tension based on tuning assuming a standard 34" scale length for both nickel and stainless.

Between that and the following you should have everything you need to put together sets.

E - 10.3 - 20.6 - 41.2 - 82.4 - 164.81 - 329.63 - 659.26 - 1318.51 - 2637.02
F - 10.92 - 21.83 - 43.65 - 87.31 - 174.61 - 349.23 - 698.46 - 1396.91 - 2793.83
F# - 11.56 - 23.12 - 46.25 - 92.5 - 185 - 369.99 - 739.99 - 1479.98 - 2959.96
G - 12.25 - 24.5 - 49 - 98 - 196 - 392 - 783.99 - 1567.98 - 3135.96
G# - 12.98 - 25.96 - 51.91 - 103.83 - 207.65 - 415.3 - 830.61 - 1661.22 - 3322.44
A - 13.75 - 27.5 - 55 - 110 - 220 - 440 - 880 - 1760 - 3520
A# - 14.57 - 29.14 - 58.27 - 116.54 - 233.08 - 466.16 - 932.33 - 1864.66 - 3729.31
B - 15.43 - 30.87 - 61.74 - 123.47 - 246.94 - 493.88 - 987.77 - 1975.53 - 3951.07
C - 16.35 - 32.7 - 65.41 - 130.81 - 261.63 - 523.25 - 1046.5 - 2093 - 4186.01
C# - 17.32 - 34.65 - 69.3 - 138.59 - 277.18 - 554.37 - 1108.73 - 2217.46 - 4434.92
D - 18.35 - 36.71 - 73.42 - 146.83 - 293.66 - 587.33 - 1174.66 - 2349.32 - 4698.64
D# - 19.45 - 38.89 - 77.78 - 155.56 - 311.13 - 622.25 - 1244.51 - 2489.02 - 4978.03

If your intention is to change tunings then I suggest finding a pitch mid-way between your high and low and select a gauge that is in the middle to mitigate extremes - it will be easier on your bass.

If you are going to do this long term and are pleased with the latitude it offers you may want to consider coming by a carbon-necked bass - IMO doing this to a wood neck is destructive over time. As well you will find your action shifting depending on your tunings and a carbon neck is less inclined to move.

Toastfuzz · #9 04-27-2009, 08:01 AM

I think the really weird tunings are more just a result of guitarists using them to make weird chords (mostly in metal/nu metal) and then the bassist retunes just to easily play along root riffs. I guess there is potential for weird bass tunings, but are you playing solo or with a band? Because like someone else said, BEAD or DGCF are the only "usable" retunings I've ever used.

Mr. Moustache · #10 04-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

I think the really weird tunings are more just a result of guitarists using them to make weird chords (mostly in metal/nu metal) and then the bassist retunes just to easily play along root riffs. I guess there is potential for weird bass tunings, but are you playing solo or with a band? Because like someone else said, BEAD or DGCF are the only "usable" retunings I've ever used.

The alternate tunings are only for my solo work, I have my two gig basses which I keep in EADG and BEADG pretty religiously. The only exception being drop D on the 4 string.

I've seen a lot of solo bassists on youtube actually using cello tuning, which is something I definitely would like to try out...

Toastfuzz · #11 04-28-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Moustache

The alternate tunings are only for my solo work, I have my two gig basses which I keep in EADG and BEADG pretty religiously. The only exception being drop D on the 4 string.

I've seen a lot of solo bassists on youtube actually using cello tuning, which is something I definitely would like to try out...

I think it'd be cool to have one in an Indian/Arabian/African styled tuning, something that works well for making cool unconventional solos.

Mr. Moustache · #12 04-29-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

I think it'd be cool to have one in an Indian/Arabian/African styled tuning, something that works well for making cool unconventional solos.

I'm definitely down for it if I had any idea what that might be

I just feel like I've learned the typical 4 and 5 string setups and their limitations, not to say that I've mastered them, but it's time to try something new.