Tuning to C Standard Drop B???

[punkindrublic]

A group I have to play with in a few weeks told me that they are tuned to C standard Drop B.... I guess I'm too new to understand what he means.. Is this my lack of knowledge or is there even such a thing? Thanks guys...

[Febs]

Assuming you're playing a 4-string:

Standard tuning is E-A-D-G.

C standard would tune each string two whole steps down from standard: C-F-Bb-Eb.

"Drop B" would further drop the C string 1/2 step to a B natural, so that the tuning would be B-F-Bb-Eb.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to use this particular tuning, but that's what they're referring to by "C standard drop B."

[punkindrublic]

Thanks for the reponse! Would it benefit me to get my hands on a 5 string for that tuning?

[AsianVoodoo]

The only thing that says to me is they meant to say drop Bb. All drop tuning tend to be whole-steps down to line up your roots, fifths, and octaves. Yes it would help considerably to get a 5'er cuz that means your intonations wouldn't get too far out of whack and youd thus be able to preform more accurately and with less floppy. (As less floppy as a low b can get lol)

[ajmee]

Originally Posted by Febs

Assuming you're playing a 4-string:

Standard tuning is E-A-D-G.

C standard would tune each string two whole steps down from standard: C-F-Bb-Eb.

"Drop B" would further drop the C string 1/2 step to a B natural, so that the tuning would be B-F-Bb-Eb.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to use this particular tuning, but that's what they're referring to by "C standard drop B."

+1. "C# Standard / Drop B" or "C Standard / Drop Bb" make more sense. When guitarists "drop" their sixth string, they usually do it by a whole step b/c it gives them the option of playing one-finger power chords.

Keep in mind that many here on TB will suggest (correctly) that the guitarist's tuning doesn't necessarily mean that you (as the bassist) need to alter yours. And, yes, using a 5-string can be useful in band settings with dropped tunings.

[OOZMAN]

Originally Posted by Febs

B-F-Bb-Eb.

That's a silly tuning...

But yeah the guitarist probably meant drop Bb or standard C#. Did he say any bands that tune to the tuning you guys' use?

[punkindrublic]

I've heard of a few bands that play in a similar tuning, but I think it may have been relayed to me incorrectly.. In any event, I'll have to throw the top 4 strings from a set of 5 string bass strings on my 4 string bass... Say that 5 times fast... I really appreciate all of your help guys..

[OOZMAN]

Originally Posted by punkindrublic

I've heard of a few bands that play in a similar tuning, but I think it may have been relayed to me incorrectly.. In any event, I'll have to throw the top 4 strings from a set of 5 string bass strings on my 4 string bass... Say that 5 times fast... I really appreciate all of your help guys..

Names?

Korn? Machine head? etc