Drop Tuning Problem?

Patton · #1 04-08-2011, 09:10 PM

Hi all!

I have been playing with drop D tuning for some time now, and I love it! However, I've noticed that when the E is tuned down to a D, the F and the G seem to lack the power that they have when the bass is in standard tuning.

Has anyone else noticed this when playing in drop tuning?

Eric Hochberg · #2 04-09-2011, 07:29 AM

Do you always play drop tuning or do you switch back and forth? Sounds like the bass needs higher tension to get the sound you like, so when you drop the E down, tension goes down on the top and changes the response of the D and G strings. Maybe a heavier E string would help balance things out, especially if you only play drop D.

Patton · #3 04-09-2011, 08:39 AM

Ok. I'll check that out. Thanks! I do switch back and forth between E and D, but I do considerably more playing in drop tuning than in standard. I will be purchasing a new bass shortly and I will likely put an extension on it later this year. After that, I will probably just be playing in standard tuning.

Thanks for your advice!

james condino · #4 04-09-2011, 01:52 PM

I play with a dropped D almost all of the time. A Spirocore stark string gives plenty of low end and confidence with the notes. Tuned up to E a Stark tends to be a monster of a string to work with, but the full step lower tension is about perfect on my carved bass.

j.

Soreinsun · #5 04-09-2011, 02:16 PM

Well also keep this in mind: The lower tension on the "E" String will cause the string to "flop" more which increases the amplitude. I've noticed this when in non-standard tunings. So your "D" and "G" strings might just be "relatively" more quiet.

Big B. · #6 04-09-2011, 02:38 PM

OP, are you saying the D and G strings are weaker? Your post said the F and G so I assume you are talking about those notes on the E/D string. IME when you stop notes further down the fingerboard toward the bridge the notes will get a bit rounder and slightly less powerful. Since you are decreasing the tension of the string and stopping your notes closer to the bridge it makes sense that you would lose a certain amount of power compared to your normal tuning, though like anything it still depends on your bass. If you actually are talking about the D and G string then excuse me while I back away from this thread slowly...

Patton · #7 04-09-2011, 07:29 PM

No, you're right Big B. I meant the F and G on the E/D on the first post, but I have noticed a lack of power across the board. Sorry, I should have been more specific. All advice is helpful! Just got my prospective bass on trial yesterday: a 7/8 Shen Willow Flatback. And I love it! So far...

I've noticed a very slight lack of power on this bass as well when it's in drop tuning. It's strung with Evah Pirazzis at the moment. I will probably just keep playing in drop tuning until I get an extension on this bass (or whatever bass I end up getting).

If drop tuning can affect the sound of the bass as a whole, are there other setup (and/or more serious) problems that could arise from playing in drop tuning?

bejoyous · #8 04-09-2011, 07:53 PM

Like James Cordino above, I play with drop D all the time and use a Spiro Stark E string. I just stay in D tuning so I don't have to keep track of what note goes where, etc. I have found my bass really likes the DAD harmonic series and it opened the sound of my instrument up.

I also have a short extension to get a low-B with a capo for the low-C. The only note I have to reach up into the pegbox area is low-C#. Since Thomastik doesn't make a Spiro Stark long E/C string, I get to play the contra notes with the Spiro Stark E string and they really rock the bottom end. Might be something to consider.

robobass · #9 04-10-2011, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patton

No, you're right Big B. I meant the F and G on the E/D on the first post, but I have noticed a lack of power across the board. Sorry, I should have been more specific. All advice is helpful! Just got my prospective bass on trial yesterday: a 7/8 Shen Willow Flatback. And I love it! So far...

I've noticed a very slight lack of power on this bass as well when it's in drop tuning. It's strung with Evah Pirazzis at the moment. I will probably just keep playing in drop tuning until I get an extension on this bass (or whatever bass I end up getting).

If drop tuning can affect the sound of the bass as a whole, are there other setup (and/or more serious) problems that could arise from playing in drop tuning?

You can't do any damage to the bass really. Constant changing between E and D perhaps could cause faster wear on the string groove in the bridge and or loosen the string winding at that spot, so keep that groove well graphited.

In D tuning I would expect the upper strings to brighten, as you're lowering the total downforce, but it might also make them speak less forcefully. Using a stark string would solve the problem. The F and G on the fourth string will always be a little weaker in drop tuning though, as you're playing the notes with less string length.