Down tuning.........

[SwitchFlicker]

I have recently been asked to play with a bunch of
guys who use a standard C tuning but then drop
their bottom string to a Bb.

I would like some advice on what strings to use,
whether i would be better of with a 5 string, how
i should set my action up Etc.

If anyone feels like going into detail about what
amplification, drivers and even Bass guitar I
should consider then feel free, thanks.

My aim is to get as good of a sound as possible,
steering clear of sounding muddy and just a bassy
mess. Any Bass players you think i should check
out would also be appreciated.

[kr0n]

Originally Posted by SwitchFlicker

I have recently been asked to play with a bunch of
guys who use a standard C tuning but then drop
their bottom string to a Bb.

I would like some advice on what strings to use,
whether i would be better of with a 5 string, how
i should set my action up Etc.

If anyone feels like going into detail about what
amplification, drivers and even Bass guitar I
should consider then feel free, thanks.

My aim is to get as good of a sound as possible,
steering clear of sounding muddy and just a bassy
mess. Any Bass players you think i should check
out would also be appreciated.

That´s loooow... I guess that would be Drop Bb? It resembles rest of the Drop tunings where you drop the lowest string a whole tone down.

5 string would surely make it a lot easier. You only need to drop the B string a half step and get a set of .005-.010 thicker strings.
Getting a 4 stringer with BEAD normal would also be an option but string thickness is gonna be an issue since you will have to get a new nut or the old one filed to correct thickness. A luthier will help you with that.

Also you´re probably going to have problems with lowest notes... since Bb is something around 29Hz and low end speakers wont produce them nicely. So try to find something that is specific for those, I bet there are some out there.

Good luck trying to stand out in mix

[Ben Wilkie]

Just sounds like what you'd call drop-Bb tuning.

A five string will be your best bet to make this sound and feel good - but go for something with a 35 inch neck to get that extra tension in the low Bb string.

HOWEVER, the Ibanex K5 has a 34 inch neck, and that's Fieldy from Korn's signature bass; they tune down to drop-A, which is half a step lower than you. So it can work. Also, Paul Gray from Slipknot tuned down pretty low on his four string. So that can work too. You'll have to investigate their instruments and their setups.

Look at a bass with active electronics so you can dial in a nice, full tone. Something tells me that a passive bass would sound like floppy paper when tuned down like that.

If you already have a head+cab amp setup, consider tacking on a 1x15-inch speaker cab along with your standard 4x10. It'll handle those lower frequencies better, but having the 4x10 or 2x10 will retain some clarity in your tone. I used to play drop-A with a 1x18; it moved a hell of a lot of air but if I wanted that low A to hit the spot, higher frequencies would sound muddy. But get your bass sorted first, and if you can't complain about the amp don't waste more money on it until you can justify it. If a low B sounds decent on a 1x12 combo amp, it can't much much of a stretch to make low Bb sound good too.

[lowfreq33]

I'd go with a 5 string tuned up a half step.

[dozicusmaximus]

.130 .95 .75 .50 are the D'addario singles I will be buying soon for Drop B or somewhere in that ballpark. Circle K Strings, have balanced sets and it looks like they are back up and running. You will have to file the nut. The top 4 of a 5 string set would be easier if your buying at a store in town. But for me the tension is all weird. the .125 is to floppy and all the rest of the strings are to tight. It works for now. But the floppy .125 sucks on faster passages for my playing style.
I use an 8x10, Peavey VB2 or Peavey Mark III and a passive P bass with a really hot pickup. You'll have to play with your EQ. It also depends on the style of music, and what your guitarists sound like. And the sound yall are going for.
You can either spend 30 bucks on strings or buy a 5 string if you dont have one already. But tuning up the 5 string would probably be easier. I personally prefer 4 strings

[essentre]

I'm currently struggling with what to do with this myself. We tune to Drop B. Currently I'm using my normal Medium strings and it's working fine. I'm thinking that by going up a gauge though, it'll give me a little more tension which would be nice.