So, I want to tune my Thunderbird a full octave below standard...

Metal Matt · #1 06-21-2010, 11:16 AM

Please just keep out of this if you're going to sit there and tell me it's useless to tune that low, because I completely disagree.

For some reference on how this sounds...

DANZA

All the songs on their player are new, and they used "sub standard" tuning for the whole CD. There are ambient parts in the songs "W.A.L.L.S" and "The Union" where you can hear the sub bass the best. If you don't have a subwoofer, I'd probably just forget about trying to hear the bass.

I would be playing heavy music with it, but more along the lines of the stoner rock/doom stuff I've been doing in MORS (see sig).

I would need a set of strings that are tapered at the headstock end so they would fit in the tuning pegs. I figure there's enough space in the bridge to file away for the other end of the strings.

So, can anyone here recommend me strings for this? All I've really found so far is a set from octave4plus.com. Also, how would my 30+ year old Sunn amps handle it? And my speakers? I feel I have a large enough rig to do this tuning justice and I'm not ever the type that tries to get a ton of fundamental in my tone, more focused on the low mids. So, I don't really imagine my speakers getting pushed much harder than they already are but I've never played lower than G0 through my rig.

So yeah, any help would be appreciated, then again if I came back to a 10 page fight over the usefulness of this tuning I wouldn't be surprised.

CBgaragebassist · #2 06-21-2010, 12:49 PM

Check out Circle K strings. And as far as your rig goes, it's not really the size, it's to do with frequency response.

Metal Matt · #3 06-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

Check out Circle K strings. And as far as your rig goes, it's not really the size, it's to do with frequency response.

Well, two of my cabs are from the 70's, and the other three early 2000's. Pretty sure none of them have the frequency response for my current tuning of drop B and I'm perfectly content with the low end response. Like I said, I focus more on bringing the midrange out than the fundamental, and I don't see that approach changing much just because I'm tuning lower.

Circle K is looking like the way to go. I had no idea anyone was offering so many options for sub bass tunings. Pretty damn awesome. Do you know if the headstock end is tapered down to fit in standard tuning pegs?

CBgaragebassist · #4 06-21-2010, 03:35 PM

I wouldn't know about the taper. knuckle_head will definitely know. I'm sure he'll pop in sometime.

CBgaragebassist · #5 06-21-2010, 04:00 PM

By the way, are you sure that substandard means a full octave below standard? The things I've seen on Danza say they use 7 string guitars tuned a whole step down to A

Metal Matt · #6 06-21-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

By the way, are you sure that substandard means a full octave below standard? The things I've seen on Danza say they use 7 string guitars tuned a whole step down to A

Yes. I've read some interviews with their current guitar player about the recording of the new CD and he says they tune a full octave below standard on the new stuff. Not sure how many strings the bass is, but the guitar is an 8 string now.

longfinger · #7 06-21-2010, 04:43 PM

Maybe if you contact string vendors like the one below (one among many), they can check their inventory list and offer you solutions.

http://www.juststrings.com/contactus.html

ThunderV · #8 06-21-2010, 04:56 PM

Tried tuning my pbass down to lowww EADG and the strings don't even register on my tuner. Tried tuning my 5 string spector to this lowww EADGC which I thought would be better considering I was using what was the B as my E. Not much better results. Listening to the band I am pretty sure that they are tuned to A which would be ADGCF on a five string bass (one whole step below standard, which is pretty freakin low). One octave below standard you would need an E string to be about 1/4 inch thick to achieve anything close to correct string tension.

Metal Matt · #9 06-21-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Maybe if you contact string vendors like the one below (one among many), they can check their inventory list and offer you solutions.

http://www.juststrings.com/contactus.html

The largest string they carry is a GHS .145. I had one on an old 5 string of mine, tuned to drop G. 145 is far too small for an E0 though. I know the bass player of Danza is using a 195, but I think that's going to be a little too tight for my tastes, so I'm thinking of getting something in the 175-185 range.

Metal Matt · #10 06-21-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderV

Tried tuning my pbass down to lowww EADG and the strings don't even register on my tuner. Tried tuning my 5 string spector to this lowww EADGC which I thought would be better considering I was using what was the B as my E. Not much better results. Listening to the band I am pretty sure that they are tuned to A which would be ADGCF on a five string bass (one whole step below standard, which is pretty freakin low). One octave below standard you would need an E string to be about 1/4 inch thick to achieve anything close to correct string tension.

I'd definitely need to use a tuner for the higher strings and tune the rest by ear. Read post #33 on here. I was wrong about the tuning, it's drop E but that E IS a full octave down from standard, putting the 8 string guitar where standard tuned bass usually is, and the bass in sub territory.

Darkstrike · #11 06-21-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Matt

I know the bass player of Danza is using a 195, but I think that's going to be a little too tight for my tastes, so I'm thinking of getting something in the 175-185 range.

How about these then?

The Rotosound Drop Zone+ set?

http://www.rotosound.com/dz66.html

knuckle_head · #12 06-21-2010, 05:56 PM

Yes I have sets that will work, and yes they taper to fit - specifically tapered to go into a Hipshot Ultralight.

Depending on how you like your tension you can get away with a .174 .182 .190 or .200 on bottom from me.

Edit; I know these register on my ancient cassette-style Korg DT-1 tuner, and a Boss stomp box tuner.

Beginner Bass · #13 06-22-2010, 07:17 AM

Try www.Octave4Plus.com. They do custom sets that go past .200. That could be a good start. IT will be called "Sub Contra," as that is what that octave is referred to as.

Metal Mitch · #14 06-22-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Matt

I was wrong about the tuning, it's drop E but that E IS a full octave down from standard

That's not as low as a sub contra bass with the low C#. All you need is a low F# set (F#BEA) with a slightly heavier F# so you can drop tune it to E.

Your T-bird bridge and scale length may still be a problem though. You might wanna think about using a different bass for the tuning.

knuckle_head · #15 06-22-2010, 03:08 PM

I sell drop E sets too.

FWIW you really ought to consider a .190 for E

Metal Matt · #16 06-22-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

I sell drop E sets too.

FWIW you really ought to consider a .190 for E

I'm thinking about going with the 182 traditional tension set. I'm kind of just going off what I know about tuning to low A, and I know that I hated a 145 tuned to that. Way too tight, so I imagine the 142 that comes with your 190 set wouldn't be much different, you know? Some of the sizes on the 174 set seem too small for my tastes. The 182 is lookin' just right.

Metal Matt · #17 06-22-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

Your T-bird bridge and scale length may still be a problem though. You might wanna think about using a different bass for the tuning.

knuckle_head, you think either of these things will be a problem for me?

knuckle_head · #18 06-22-2010, 08:53 PM

I have seen three different bridges used on T-birds, and can see no reason they wouldn't work.

Can you take/find a pic of your bridge and post it? I can tell you for certain if I can see it.

Scale length won't be an issue. All my strings up to and including the .182 are three wrap strings - very flexible and won't feel as high tension as other maker's strings of similar gauges.

The .136 is our most popular B string. I bet the .142 would be quite comfortable at A.

Are you intending to drop tune or straight tune?

Metal Matt · #19 06-22-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

I have seen three different bridges used on T-birds, and can see no reason they wouldn't work.

Can you take/find a pic of your bridge and post it? I can tell you for certain if I can see it.

Scale length won't be an issue. All my strings up to and including the .182 are three wrap strings - very flexible and won't feel as high tension as other maker's strings of similar gauges.

The .136 is our most popular B string. I bet the .142 would be quite comfortable at A.

Are you intending to drop tune or straight tune?

Standard. E0 A0 D1 G1.

I do like my strings a bit on the loose side though... Currently using a 110 for drop B on this bass. To give you some idea of my tolerance.

Ron Now · #20 06-22-2010, 09:08 PM

I'm a half step above this in bongripper(F - Bb - Eb - Db).

I use a regular set of DAddario Medium's for the B E and D strings and a La Bella Hard Rocker .155 for the F.

I also use a regular 34" scale bass, nothing special.

Needs some nut filing, and good tuners but you can manage it.

Would I recommend it? No, that tuning is the bane of my existence.