Tuning your bass one whole step down?

[saxdragon]

I don't wanna buy a five-string bass, but it really makes sense to me to have that extra few lower notes to hit. Have any of you ever tuned you strings down a whole step, or even more? If so, how does it affect tone and playability? Is it harder to keep in tune?

Thanks.

[Fergie Fulton]

Hi i have in the past just droped the E sting down and and all the way to a B but i use heavy strings. A lot of player will use a Hip Shot or similar product if the 5 string is impractable or to expensive. In the flick of a lever it drops the tuning from E-D and then back when finished with ease, speed and little fuss.

http://www.basscentre.com/hipshot-d-tuners.html

[SwamiRob]

If you wanna keep the familiar feel of how your bass is usually tuned and want lower notes then I'd go for D standard. There are companies that either make strings that are made for D/B standard or you can mix and match from singles and get a custom set, if your wanting to do B standard and don't mind wasting strings you can buy 5 sets and not use the G too, given that bass strings are really expensive in the first place that's probably not the best idea though.

[Turtle71]

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

if your wanting to do B standard and don't mind wasting strings you can buy 5 sets and not use the G too, given that bass strings are really expensive in the first place that's probably not the best idea though.

This is what I do, Though not because I don't have a 5'er, I just wanted to get that low B on a 4 string bass.....

You will probably have to file the nut for the B & E strings to accomdate the new larger gauge (unless maybe you use a super light gauge), I did this to my older MIM jazz bass, but I had a local guitar shop do the actual modifications (I'd strongly suggest this), it's a fun intrument to play, but to be honest I do miss that G from time to time....

[SwamiRob]

You don't necessarily have to have your nut modded, you could always get one made for using heavy gauge strings.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by saxdragon

I don't wanna buy a five-string bass, but it really makes sense to me to have that extra few lower notes to hit. Have any of you ever tuned you strings down a whole step, or even more? If so, how does it affect tone and playability? Is it harder to keep in tune?

Thanks.

Typically, the lower tension will allow the neck to bow "back", and you'll end up with less relief - could cause unwanted buzzing. Also, intonation gets to be extremely hair trigger. For fretted, the normal pressure you use can be enough to push notes sharp. For fretless you'll really find yourself having to be exact.
The tone can change, but not always for the worse. On my rickenbacker, tuning down a step _really_ cranks up the fret buzz and you can get a super aggressive grind. On all my other basses, the tone turns into overcooked spaghetti.

Switching to a heavier gauge string can help.

I'd suggest tuning the E to D and refingering the songs in drop-D....

LS

[Ric5]

Tuning a 4 string DGCF makes a lot of sense. I used to do it before I switched to 5 strings. I would say use a .110 E string and make the rest of the strings fatter as well.

[wetzelman1]

i play cgcf in my band. Getting it professionally setup made my life a whole lot easier. Guy was actually able to use a 105 for my low C.

[BassLand]

Andrew Gouche gave a seminar at BassPlayer Live last week in which he mentions why he tunes down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26tQkhyIW8g

[Gasman]

I play DGCF. You do need heavier strings and a truss rod adjustment, but it's not a big deal.

[Fergie Fulton]

In the link the fantastic Constance Redgrave, who tunes i believe B E A D in action. As has been said its strings and a truss adjustment, but not a problem if you want it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QuGuPBq65s

I play DGCF too, for Zun Zun, and then for doing everything else I have to retune back to normal.

I can't afford two different basses, so my bass goes through some big changes in tension but it doesn't seem to make too much difference.

The strings are more likely to buzz when you're tuned down, so yeah you need to make adjustments. Also, it seems like the notes are less precisely at a certain pitch when you play - this might be because the reduced tension means it's difficult not to bend the notes very slightly when you fret. To be honest, though, I think my technique has compensated for it because I've been playing that way for ages now. Our guitarist tunes down two tones on every string, if you can imagine that! Sounds different though it's good.

[chanson]

Without putting on heavier strings (which may require nut/neck adjustment), you will have to compensate for the very clanky tone by either changing the equalization to minimize it or by changing your technique. Using a lighter and more precise attack will remedy some of the clankyness but it will not get rid of it entirely.

[MrDOS]

I need to tune to DGCF for a fill-in gig. I've seen the band a number of times, and I have always thought the Fender Jazz their player uses sounds like it has too much low-mids (sounds "tubbby").

Now I've tuned my Sadowsky to practice the tunes, and I will be darned if it doesn't have the same (unpleasant) tone quality.

Has anyone else experienced this, or am I just imagining it?

Thanks!

[codeinedreams]

I tune down to D standard on my basses and never had any problems. It must depend on the bass, action and other adjustments, and the strings you're using