Tuning a 5-string Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb?

[onewebfoot]

Would any typical 5-string set accomodate this reliably? 34" scale bass? Does the slightly lower tension create peripheral issues? Anyone actually do this?

Many songs in our reportoire are in keys of F or Bb. That's the reason I ask. I'd love to have a Bb one octave lower than B-E-A-D-G tuning allows. Thanks.

[brothernewt]

I'm no expert... but I don't really see an issue with it. Get a slightly heavier set of strings and a set up if it's too sloppy for you. Should be fine.

[magic papa]

Originally Posted by onewebfoot

Would any typical 5-string set accomodate this reliably? 34" scale bass? Does the slightly lower tension create peripheral issues? Anyone actually do this?

Many songs in our reportoire are in keys of F or Bb. That's the reason I ask. I'd love to have a Bb one octave lower than B-E-A-D-G tuning allows. Thanks.

I used to tune my 34" 5 string basses half step down (Warwick and SR5). Worked OK although the B string becomes fairly useless. You can turn your bass into a long bow and shoot arrows from it.

It's also quite hard to get heavy gauge strings for a 5 string, you're pretty much stuck with DR and Slinkys.

I ended up buying a 35" 4 string and put heavy gauge strings on it, which are much easier to buy. But that's not going to work if you want Bb.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Even a .045 .065 .085 .105 .130 set would handle tuning down a half step...

You could do a heavier set of course which will give you higher tension 50-110 w/ a .135 or .140 or .145

Then you can always explore putting together custom sets from manufacturers that offer singles...

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by onewebfoot

Would any typical 5-string set accomodate this reliably? 34" scale bass? Does the slightly lower tension create peripheral issues? Anyone actually do this?

Many songs in our reportoire are in keys of F or Bb. That's the reason I ask. I'd love to have a Bb one octave lower than B-E-A-D-G tuning allows. Thanks.

I have done it and it works fine ... You may have to adjust the bridge and or truss rod ...

[hyp.spec]

It's what my band plays in now. No complaints. Works great.

You'll be fine.

[lindseyp]

Originally Posted by onewebfoot

.... I'd love to have a Bb one octave lower than B-E-A-D-G tuning allows. Thanks.

You mean one half step lower, don't you? You wouldn't be able to hear your bass an octave below BEADG

I once tuned a bass Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb because the male choir sang in that range. I used the strings I already had. I play 34s and 35s, the scale lenght made no difference in the tuning. I settled on A-D-G-C-F for a specific 35-inch bass because the tension was just right and it covered the lowest notes of an 88 and the Bb range.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

oh I missed the "one octave lower" part too!!!

Prepare to modify your instrument for a .245 ish string!

[magic papa]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Even a .045 .065 .085 .105 .130 set would handle tuning down a half step...

You could do a heavier set of course which will give you higher tension 50-110 w/ a .135 or .140 or .145

Then you can always explore putting together custom sets from manufacturers that offer singles...

Yeah, custom sets will be the way to go IMHO. The EADG in standard gauge handle drop tunings OK, it's just the B string that became too sloppy. At least too sloppy for me, it's up to an individual preference really.

[mmbongo]

Yeah do a custom set. Your 34" scale bass naturally has less tension than a 35" scale, so you will want a higher tension set that won't get all flubby when tuned down.

I suggest DR LoRiders or GHS Progressives. Nickel if you want more warmth, steel if you want more brightness...Progressvies are kind of the best of both worlds.
Perhaps something like
.50
.70
.90
.110
.135

Or you might be fine with a normal 45-105 set and just add the .135 B string. Either way I'd stick with that .135.

You can see all the options right here:
DR LO-RIDER Build your own Custom String Set!
http://www.bassstringsonline.com/GHS...Set_p_518.html

[Josh Pelican]

Originally Posted by lindseyp

You mean one half step lower, don't you? You wouldn't be able to hear your bass an octave below BEADG

I sure as hell hope so! I mean, I tune to Eb0 and have heard it being used in a full band setting. Not even The Low C# Theory is that low...

[DougD]

Most Gospel bass players (of the type of gospel music we play) tune down a half step to Bb, some even to A. This is done on various 34 and 35 scale basses. Works fine on all of them, if you use good strings, and set your bass up properly. I personally go back and forth from standard to flat tuning depending on the gig I'm doing with no problems. My main bass for this has been a Brubaker Brute (34 scale) I've had no problems at all with the bass using that tuning. I use standard 45-130 (or 125) strings. The only problem is remembering that I'm in flat tuning and associating the keys I'm playing in. I say all this just to show you that you can do this with no special equipment. All you need is to relearn the fretboard in the keys you are tuned to.

[onewebfoot]

Originally Posted by lindseyp

You mean one half step lower, don't you?

No, I mean I want a low Bb that is one octave lower than the lowest Bb that B-E-A-D-G tuning allows, precisely like I said. With BEADG tuning, the lowest Bb I can get is on the first fret of the middle A string, or the same precise frequency on the two lower strings.

Tuning everything half a step down gives me an OCTAVE below that specific Bb - open position on the lowest B string (which is now a Bb string). I think *everyone* got it. I know I nailed it. :-) Thanks.

[stflbn]

I didn't get it. I assumed 1/2 step lower.

[Toastfuzz]

DR Drop Down strings are really sweet IMO, buy a normal gauge set but they're designed to be drop tuned and hold tension. Used to play the medium gauge DR Drop Down's in a funky tuning (G# C# G# C# F# B) and they were my string of choice.

EDIT: Wait you're trying to go another octave DOWN from that??? Read up around here dude, theres only 1 guy around here who has any real luck with ridiculously low tunings and he's made a science of it. Everyone else will just chuckle to themselves and move on.

[onewebfoot]

[EDIT] No worries. We took a vote, documented in this thread, and my wording was not clear.

Lots of fantastic feedback in the cumulative responses. Thanks to all, very very much. Have a great day.

[onewebfoot]

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

EDIT: Wait you're trying to go another octave DOWN from that???

Nope - I want to tune every single string down a half step, so that my lowest Bb is an octave lower than my current lowest Bb, which is fret position 1 on the middle A string.

Simple - all five strings, down half a step. It's that simple. Otherwise, your DR string input really hit the mark well. Thanks.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by stflbn

I didn't get it. I assumed 1/2 step lower.

He does. He's just wording it in a rather unconventional way. Currently, his lowest Bb note is found on the 11th fret of the B-string in standard tuning. In order to achieve a Bb an octave lower than THAT 11th fret Bb, he needs to tune down a half step.

[Toastfuzz]

Originally Posted by onewebfoot

Nope - I want to tune every single string down a half step, so that my lowest Bb is an octave lower than my current lowest Bb, which is fret position 1 on the middle A string.

Simple - all five strings, down half a step. It's that simple. Otherwise, your DR string input really hit the mark well. Thanks.

Right on. Thats what I thought you meant, but then I've seen plenty of threads where people want to tune BEADG 1 full octave under standard, or BEADG 1 full octave above standard piccolo-style, all with a 34" scale. I stand by the DR Drop Tunes, I had them strung up in full standard for a bit and they had the tension/feel of flats in a roundwound string (not what I wanted, but whatever.) Also played in standard after awhile, I broke a D string... I've never done that before, so I think these are really made to be dropped.

[FunkMetalBass]

I'll throw out the love for Circle K Strings balanced sets. The suggestion is to decide what size E-string you prefer when tuned to Eb, and pick a 5-string set that has a similarly sized E-string.

For example, if you like a .100 string when dropped to Eb, the .136 set will be preferable.
.105 Eb -> .142 set
.110 Eb -> .150 set


I swear by these strings - they are incredible. I use the .150 set for all of my B and Bb needs. It feels and sounds great.