Fender JB!Drop C!

Roko369 · #1 02-21-2013, 02:06 PM

Hi guys.
I have kinda serious problems with my bass.
The thing is that i had problems with adjusting intonation properly.
Intonation was adjusted right but notes above twelth fret were slightly off pitch. If the truss rod was adjusted to straighten the neck a bit or strings was set a little bit lower, fret buzz appeared and the instrument become unplayable.
I prefer 120-60 gauge strings for dropC tuning.
Then i sent it to thomann.de, I still had the warranty.
Today i got e-mail, that they had sent it out n stuff, but they wrote that they have Replaced neck and Bass has been set up to recommended factory specs.
I`m afraid that "recommended factory specs" means that bass will be adjusted in E standart tuning and i will still have the same problems in drop C tuning :/
Is it really impossible to play drop C tuning on my bass ?
I have this bass- http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_70_c...z_bass_3ts.htm
I would be realy happy if you could help me somehow , I dont want to change it to some Ibanez or something, I love Fender bases ;/

Roko369 · #2 02-22-2013, 12:36 AM

up up!

Musicman20 · #3 02-22-2013, 01:38 AM

I highly recommend a 5 string Jazz style bass.

millsbass5 · #4 02-22-2013, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

I highly recommend a 5 string Jazz style bass.

+1

Just put the work in, save for a 5'er, and learn to play it. Ain't no use in stuffing 10lbs. into a 5lb. sack.

TapeDeck · #5 02-22-2013, 02:36 AM

There are things that are practical to play in drop tuning, but not on a low B. Surely there are guitarists and bassists who downtune because they're lazy, but we have to remember that this isn't a rule. Probably more useful for OP if anyone wants to tell him of they downtime similarly on a similar bass. I'd be inclined to assume it should work. But I've seen several Fender guitars which couldn't be set up to proper intonation...

topo morto · #6 02-22-2013, 02:55 AM

Do you mean drop c (CADG), or c standard (C, F, A#, D#)?

Do you have problems on all strings, or just the C?

Playing thick strings on high frets often does sound a bit weird - physially it stops acting as a pure 'string' and you do get strange overtones. I suppose intonation issues are also possible. When you say 'slightly off pitch', do you mean really noticeably? Or just according to the tuner?

Have you tried different strings?

Lots of people string BEAD with no huge problems, including me.

metlman72 · #7 02-22-2013, 05:35 AM

Lots of bands play and record in C# and C standard tuning. Lots of these bands use Fender bass guitars. Yes your bass can and will if setup properly. My band uses C# standard for the most and sometimes drop to B F# B E. I do this on a 4 string and it has no intonation problems. I could see maybe stringing your bass B E A D but not switching to a 5 er though.

Roko369 · #8 02-22-2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

Do you mean drop c (CADG), or c standard (C, F, A#, D#)?

Do you have problems on all strings, or just the C?

Playing thick strings on high frets often does sound a bit weird - physially it stops acting as a pure 'string' and you do get strange overtones. I suppose intonation issues are also possible. When you say 'slightly off pitch', do you mean really noticeably? Or just according to the tuner?

Have you tried different strings?

Lots of people string BEAD with no huge problems, including me.

I mean Drop-C like C G C F.
I have problems on all strings especially on low C.
Yeah,I tried Ernie ball and Dunlop strings.
You can actually hear that some notes are off the pitch. And you can see that on tuner as well.

Roko369 · #9 02-22-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metlman72

Lots of bands play and record in C# and C standard tuning. Lots of these bands use Fender bass guitars. Yes your bass can and will if setup properly. My band uses C# standard for the most and sometimes drop to B F# B E. I do this on a 4 string and it has no intonation problems. I could see maybe stringing your bass B E A D but not switching to a 5 er though.

I know that lots bands uses jazz bases...
I and other people have tried to set the base up properly, but it seems just impossible. I took it to one music store but they couldn`t do anything, they tried, told me that everything is fine, but nope...;D when i received my bass back, it was the same like before.

topo morto · #10 02-22-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roko369

I mean Drop-C like C G C F.

Aha ok, I learned something.

Does the bass work OK EADG?

autodidact · #11 02-22-2013, 09:00 AM

I played a PBass in drop C for a while so I understand what you're saying. There are two options that I found easiest: buy so strings with higher tension, that way when you downtune the string won't be as loose and won't flop around as much. Secondly, adjust your touch. If the intonation is THAT important to you then lower the saddles/adjust the neck and attack the notes with a lighter touch so it doesn't buzz.

Honestly, the notes being the slightest bit off pitch isn't noticable in a band mix and its hardly noticable even when playing by yourself. I wouldn't beat yourself up about it since most of your notes are likely going to be below the 12th anyway

autodidact · #12 02-22-2013, 09:01 AM

The brand has nothing to do with it. With the right strings and set up, any bass can play in any tuning.

altamont · #13 02-22-2013, 09:22 AM

your bass is broken, send it to me.

Nah I guess it's all fine tuning, I play BF#BE on my Squier CV 50's with DR DDT Heavy strings. There is a little buzz on the first fret but it's mainly due to the fact that I'm plucking hard with a pick. Intonation is great and it sounds awesome.

Roko369 · #14 02-22-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

Aha ok, I learned something.

Does the bass work OK EADG?

jup jup, it works fine in standart-e tuning

DwaynieAD · #15 02-22-2013, 09:40 AM

your bass will do fine in drop C, you don't need a 5 string. those are some insanely heavy gauges for playing drop C, i play drop A with a 120, i've been to drop E with a 130 (yes, E below standard E), only reason i stopped there is a korg pitchblack wont tune any lower.

adjust the saddles for intonation, not the truss rod.

i'd suggest reading the stickies on the setup section of talkbass.

topo morto · #16 02-22-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roko369

jup jup, it works fine in standart-e tuning

Really the only reasons I can think of for intonation being off are strings (which you say you tried changing already) and action too high? What's the action?

Maybe could you compromise and set the intonation correct at e.g. the 15th or 17th fret?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

those are some insanely heavy gauges for playing drop C

130 or 135 is normal for B, so 120 for C seems fine..?

syndroam · #17 02-22-2013, 09:49 AM

Read this thread:

Drop Tunings on a 4 string bass - The correct way

Roko369 · #18 02-22-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

your bass will do fine in drop C, you don't need a 5 string. those are some insanely heavy gauges for playing drop C, i play drop A with a 120, i've been to drop E with a 130 (yes, E below standard E), only reason i stopped there is a korg pitchblack wont tune any lower.

adjust the saddles for intonation, not the truss rod.

i'd suggest reading the stickies on the setup section of talkbass.

I was adjusting saddles for intonation too...

alembicbones · #19 02-22-2013, 01:56 PM

Just my opinion but I would go the 5 string route.

Bones

PotsdamBass8 · #20 02-22-2013, 02:43 PM

Just to confirm, have YOU adjusted the intonation for drop C? I want to make sure you weren't sending it out to get set up and the people doing the setup were adjusting it to standard tuning.

What happens when you adjust the saddles back and forth for intonation? Are you running out of room?