Stingray 4string set up to Drop B...?

triggervision · #1 02-19-2010, 12:12 PM

So I have my 4 string stingray and plan on setting it up to drop B (B F# B E). I understand I will need to widen the nut some (not deepen) and then possibly widen the bridge saddle. I want to avoid that. Would a tapered B string prevent me from having to widen the bridge saddle? Thinking my string set may be 130-95-75-60 for my gauges. Thanks guys!

kcamsdog1387 · #2 02-19-2010, 01:02 PM

I would say a Taperwound would give you a bit of clearance, but I would be concerned with getting the string thru the hole on the back of the bridge, not just sitting in the saddle. I had this problem when I set my PBass to drop B. There are other things to consider when setting up a bass in drop tuning (Intonation, neck relief, action) If you know how to do your own setups I think you'll be fine.

triggervision · #3 02-19-2010, 04:21 PM

Yeah I can handle my own setups and aren't too concerned with that side of things. I was just a littler weary about fixing the nut and bridge; more of the using tools side of things. Yeah I see I may have to make that hole a little larger on the bridge. Any suggestions on what tools I should use?

Ric5 · #4 02-19-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggervision

So I have my 4 string stingray and plan on setting it up to drop B (B F# B E). I understand I will need to widen the nut some (not deepen) and then possibly widen the bridge saddle. I want to avoid that. Would a tapered B string prevent me from having to widen the bridge saddle? Thinking my string set may be 130-95-75-60 for my gauges. Thanks guys!

Why do bassists tune to these awful drop tunings? Tune it BEAD or DGCF or EADG. THE ONLY REASON FOR THE DROP TUNINGS IS TO PLAY CHORDS.

Sorry if I am ranting ...

triggervision · #5 02-19-2010, 05:01 PM

I feel your ric5. I was in the same boat until the guitarists started tuning this way and were playing relatively quick riffs using the open F# and have definitely decided to go this route. Also, whats the difference between a drop tuning such as DADG and the one I stated above. Well not a whole lot really--allowing me to reach that Low B when needed vs tuning say C# standard. Furthermore, it's a band thing. If the singer can get down with his vocals better in this tuning then let him go. We were doing Drop C# (drop d half step down) but some of the newer songs we were working on were too high for what he was trying to do .... to fix it, bringing it down a notch.