Tuning Question

LeighIV · #1 01-14-2010, 02:23 AM

To start this off, I did search but I didn't find an exact answer to what I'm looking for.

So, my band plays in drop C tuning. I just recently got my first five string and I want to be able to tune to something that will still work with what the rest of my band plays. With my old four string, that was easy. CGCF. Now... not so sure

I know I don't necessarily have to tune around what my guitarists use, but for ease of use for me I'd like to. I was fiddling around on some paper just jotting down ideas and I had one I wasn't sure about.

Would tuning to CGCGF work out well? I saw other suggestions of GCGCF but I don't really want a low G. I can't honestly say I even have gear capable of producing a sound that low so I don't know why that would be useful.

I'm honestly at a dead end about this. I'd appreciate any suggestions

Thanks guys

After actually holding the bass and looking things over, I realized that would be quite a bit of up-tuning, wouldn't it? Which would then negate the whole down-tuning thing...

Is my only option really to tune to GCGCF if I want to drop with the guitars?

Implosion · #2 01-14-2010, 04:23 AM

There is a simple solution. You tune your bass BEADG and the guitarists tune their strings half step down to drop B.

LeighIV · #3 01-14-2010, 04:33 AM

I can have the guitarists try to go back down to B. We played at B before but we went back up to C because we felt at B they sounded a bit muddy. Kind of like they were just too low. We play progressive/metal and my guitarists both play pretty quickly and at B it seemed as if their notes were kind of muddying

Thank you, and like I said we can give it another go :]

I'm still open to more ideas as well

NewLaw83 · #4 01-29-2010, 07:23 AM

I did the opposite I went from a 5-string back to 4-string. But when I played the 5-string I tuned all the strings a half step up. That worked well for me. Goodluck

GianGian · #5 01-29-2010, 07:29 AM

Why don't you just keep using the 4 string? Or maybe CGCFBb...like you used to tune on the 4 string plus a high Bb. It would be more useful than a ridiculously low G.

bobbth · #6 01-30-2010, 07:24 AM

I tune my bass CEADG for our drop c stuff, which is good for retuning to standard after each set but its a pain in the face when it comes to riffs which bounce of any string appart form low c (and alot of our riffs give me a pain in the face)

**lowendfriend** · #7 01-30-2010, 07:30 AM

I'm confused about drop tuning with a 5-string. I got a five so I would have to worry about that.

With a five it's easier to stay in closed fingerings, thus you are ready to move up and down keys to the guitard's hearts' content.

mccartneyman · #8 01-30-2010, 08:15 AM

I agree -- usea fiver tuned BEADG. I understand that detuning gives a sonic spectrum that normal tuning doesn't, but inless you need to play allow Bb or A. I see no reason to tune down a bass. A friend's band tunes to C#, and tunes his 4-string down as well, but then he struggles every time he has to play in regular tuning. Better a fiver.

knuckle_head · #9 01-30-2010, 10:56 AM

I and others like the breathing room that more-than-an-octave below the guitars affords - and the rig you have is likely competent at G if you're curious.

Did you come by a 5 string because you needed more range?

I can offer up string gauge recommendations if you'd like.

Jerry Ziarko · #10 01-30-2010, 11:02 AM

It's personal preference, but I honestly don't see the point. With a standard tuning (B-G) of a five string, I would think no matter what your other band mates tuned to, you would have it covered. The only benefit I could see, would be possibly tightening up the 5th string.

Essen · #11 01-30-2010, 11:09 AM

I used to write a lot of songs in C, but my guitarists got tired of drop tuning all then time, so now I'm back to D.

If you feel you don't need a low G, then just leave yout B string at B, that will save you time if you have to tune up again.