Setting up for ADGCF

[Thunderscreech]

Aside from the usual things (action, intonation) that need to be tweaked, what elese do I need to adjust when setting a bass up to be played in ADGCF?

[El-Bob]

This happens to be my standard tuning

i use a .130 B string, but you may need a heavier one depending on your neck construction. (i find bolt-on maple necks tend to feel looser than a neck-through design).
All i do, is tune it, then adjust my truss rods (i play a sixer, btw), and my saddle height. intonation is USUALLY not a problem, although it never hurts to check.

[JmJ]

ADGCF is my standard tuning also. I've started using SIT Power Wound Nickel strings & found they have more tension than the DRs, Ken Smith & Hartke strings I was using in the past. Not as easy to bend but a provide a strong fundamental. Definitely worth a try for us ADGCF folks.

[The modifier]

Loosen the trussrod about 1/4 of a turn (or else you might end up with a back warp from less string tension) and, I doubt you have to go as for as to adjust the action for tuning one step down, just a thought.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by JmJ

ADGCF is my standard tuning also. I've started using SIT Power Wound Nickel strings & found they have more tension than the DRs, Ken Smith & Hartke strings I was using in the past. Not as easy to bend but a provide a strong fundamental. Definitely worth a try for us ADGCF folks.

What guage?

[JmJ]

045w 065w 080w 100w 125w
I get em' here: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/S54525.htm

[walterw]

i thought you guys were talking about regular bass A up to the F above a high C string!

[Ric5]

you need fat strings

[jorri156]

definately truss rod. usually need action changes as well. your nut may need the slots widening if you are using heavy strings.

i usually use the rule of 'one step up for each semitone' for changing tunings. so a 100 set for E, 105 for d# and a 110 set for D i switch between on a 4 string. you can also check
http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
if you want to accurately match tension, but its not necessary to get it excact and just a starting point- i wouldnt want strings as tense if they are fatter and lower.

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by Ric5

you need fat strings

Not especially fat. Neck construction seems to have the biggest impact, in my experience.

[bareass]

why would the nut need to be made bigger for a smaller string. the poster is getting rid of the lower toned strings and tuneing up starting at the A-string (second lowest on a 4 string bass) to a F string (highest toned string on a 7 string bass)
right?

[walterw]

Originally Posted by bareass

why would the nut need to be made bigger for a smaller string. the poster is getting rid of the lower toned strings and tuneing up starting at the A-string (second lowest on a 4 string bass) to a F string (highest toned string on a 7 string bass)
right?

i think they're actually referring to a normal 5-string bass a whole step down.

[Mellow D]

Some people.....