Drop tunning?

xxfaux_punkxx · #1 10-24-2010, 03:19 AM

So I want to try new tuning techniques but I'm not sure exactly how to do them.

I have my traben set up to open C right now (my guitarist showed me how) and I like it although I don't like the C,G,C,G setup. Makes me feel limited.

Something I want to try is Drop B, but I don't want to just tune B,E,A,D. I know there's another way although I'm not quite 100% on what all the strings are tuned to or even how to get there.

Any advice? or better yet other tunings that I can try to see what I like?

Also just some specifics in case it comes up...

My bass is a string through.

and I want to get a 5er but I don't have the scratch to toss down on one anytime soon.

somegeezer · #2 10-24-2010, 03:26 AM

Drop B would be B-F♯-B-E
B-E-A-D is B Standard. Also, how can you like open C but not like the C-G-C-G? That's what Open C is.
C-G-D-A-E-G is the tuning Robert Fripp uses, and could be something cool to use on bass as C-G-D-A. It's coincidentally, the same tuning as a Cello.

TGLbass · #3 10-24-2010, 12:01 PM

D A D G-- I used to do that alot. I was watching Ross Vallory ( Journey) and it looked like that was the tuning he was using.

Calaverasgrande · #4 10-24-2010, 12:30 PM

I use C standard on all my basses. Works great when the band is tuned to D or drop D.
thats CFA#D#

MHT75 · #5 10-24-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Drop B would be B-F♯-B-E
B-E-A-D is B Standard. Also, how can you like open C but not like the C-G-C-G? That's what Open C is.
C-G-D-A-E-G is the tuning Robert Fripp uses, and could be something cool to use on bass as C-G-D-A. It's coincidentally, the same tuning as a Cello.

Tuning your bass into fifths ( C-G-D-A ) is something i very much enjoyed playing.

tk421 · #6 10-25-2010, 04:33 AM

i used to use DADA all the time ... now i stick with standard or drop D. DADA is hard on the g strings.

jansenh · #7 10-25-2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I use C standard on all my basses. Works great when the band is tuned to D or drop D.
thats CFA#D#

+1

somegeezer · #8 10-25-2010, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I use C standard on all my basses. Works great when the band is tuned to D or drop D.
thats CFA#D#

Wouldn't it work better if you were tuned to the same tuning as them? I say this because I'm currently having to learn some new songs that were written in Drop C on a B Standard tuning... The stretching is intense. I'm thinking of just getting my 4 string out for a Drop C tuning. Maybe it'll make it easier.

Calaverasgrande · #9 10-25-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Wouldn't it work better if you were tuned to the same tuning as them? I say this because I'm currently having to learn some new songs that were written in Drop C on a B Standard tuning... The stretching is intense. I'm thinking of just getting my 4 string out for a Drop C tuning. Maybe it'll make it easier.

Actually because I am tuned a whole step lower, I have to move my first position two frets closer to me. This is actually more comfortable to play D,E, F and all that other metal jazz since I am not all the way at the bottom of the neck.
I also find it kind of works out neat that our open notes arent teh same. So when I hit a big "E" (well C) and ring out, the guitarist isnt doing the same, which can get muddy fast.

TheBasicBassist · #10 10-26-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I use C standard on all my basses. Works great when the band is tuned to D or drop D.
thats C, F, Bb, Eb

Fixed.

It was killing me.

Deluge Of Sound · #11 10-26-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBasicBassist

Fixed.

It was killing me.

I was just about to do that.

Calaverasgrande · #12 10-26-2010, 11:34 PM

ahh screw you guys.

xalatar · #13 10-28-2010, 04:34 PM

For 4 string, you can do drop D - DADG, which is pretty popular.
Drop C, as far as I've always known, is CGCF, but I'm sure there are plenty of variations and other options. Unless you played a lot of your high G in your CGCG tuning, then that won't be much different.
Standard B is BEAD, but Drop-B would be B F# B E.
I'm sure it comes down to the music you play, but unless your guitarists are playing 7 string guitars, then a standard B tuning probably won't do you any good.
Then again, any tuning you have needs to correlate with your band members, otherwise it won't really sound in sync (I'm sure there are examples of bands making it work, but in general, probably not).

So I guess the recap of that is DADG is always a solid choice, CGCF would be dropped even more, and B F# B E would be dropped even further. Drop B won't sound too hot without some thick strings. Drop C you can get away with better than B, but still probably want at least a 105 or 110. Drop D you can do with a normal set of strings.

Hope something in there helped.

shifter · #14 10-30-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xalatar

For 4 string, you can do drop D - DADG, which is pretty popular.
Drop C, as far as I've always known, is CGCF, but I'm sure there are plenty of variations and other options. Unless you played a lot of your high G in your CGCG tuning, then that won't be much different.
Standard B is BEAD, but Drop-B would be B F# B E.
I'm sure it comes down to the music you play, but unless your guitarists are playing 7 string guitars, then a standard B tuning probably won't do you any good.
Then again, any tuning you have needs to correlate with your band members, otherwise it won't really sound in sync (I'm sure there are examples of bands making it work, but in general, probably not).

So I guess the recap of that is DADG is always a solid choice, CGCF would be dropped even more, and B F# B E would be dropped even further. Drop B won't sound too hot without some thick strings. Drop C you can get away with better than B, but still probably want at least a 105 or 110. Drop D you can do with a normal set of strings.

Hope something in there helped.

Certainly helped me, I've been running a practice bass in good old E and another in D, but It looks like I'm going to start working on a project in open C which is cool but it's messing with my basses that are set up so I've been contemplating a new Bass and putting that in open C..

Which leads me to a question.... For lower tunings such as c and B on 4 string basses are "through string" bodies any better or worse??

Cheers

xalatar · #15 11-01-2010, 11:54 PM

I don't think it would make any difference. Some people argue tone differences, while others say there is no difference. So I doubt it would really do anything in regards to tuning. In my experience, I've never noticed a difference.

Here's a thread on it: What are the tonal differences between String Through body or through bridge?