5 string bass tuning with drop D guitars

[HeylookitsElio]

I just got my 5 string. My band plays in drop D and I want to play along with them, but I still want to use the low B string, what tuning should I tune my bass to that would let me best use the low string (? D A D G)

 

[bassfart]

A D A D G

 

[Low Sound Love]

or you can keep standard tuning (tuning in 5ths) and go A D G C F. In this tuning you have the open low D and you can keep using all the familiar patterns.

 

[jpTron]

I've done both the ADADG and ADGCF and they both worked out well

 

[LiamPodmore]

I just stay in B Standard (BEADG) and just transpose it onto that instead, it saves me alot of effort in the long run (Retuning during gigs etc.....)

 

[bigfatbass]

I just got my 5 string. My band plays in drop D and I want to play along with them, but I still want to use the low B string

You use your finger and squeeze it down on the string over this little metal bump they call a "fret".

 

[knuckle_head]

What do you need that you don't have?

 

[Ric5]

Why not tune BEADG???

The whole reason for drop tuning is to get note lower than the low E on a EADG bass. But with BEADG you already go lower than the Low D. If you need an open low D then tune ADGCF.

I find that BEADG covers 99% of what I need to play. The only time it doesn't work is when I need a low B flat. Then I simple detune the whole bass 1/2 step. Or get the band to play in B instead of B flat.

 

[Ric5]

Or tune the 5 string DGCFA#

 

[Mrdak]

BEADG .... plain and simple.

 

[ixlramp]

I want to play along with them

Quoted for emphasis.

Guys, HeylookitsElio is correct to suggest (? D A D G) for the ease of matching riffs an octave down, especially riffs using open notes

A D A D G has a gorgeous low A, and provides the option of playing 2 octaves below the guitar's A D strings. It also provides root-octave chords across a single fret on the A-A and D-D string pairs. Also root-fifth-octave power chords across the D A D strings.

 

[Plays_For_Dog]

BEADG. Third fret on the B string is Dropped D.

 

[Rockingbird]

Well, you could always just drop the E to a D and ignore the low B, or drop both of the lower strings.
Rockingedit: Also, you could use two capos. Put one on the third fret across all strings, and one on the 5th across the EAD and G. Thats way, your open strings read DADGC.

 

[Thunderscreech]

PROTIP: 3rd Fret of Low B is a D....

 

[Low Sound Love]

seriously dudes, I think the OP knows that 3rd fret on the low B is a D, but having the D on an open string is that much easier when he's going to play along with the guitar riffs ...

 

[wagstaff]

Why do people keep suggesting to use the D on the B?
For all we know the nature of the riffs they play make it difficult to play without using drop tunings.
ADADG would be a good way to go.
or
ADGCF

Mark.

 

[Pantsman]

To the people treating the OP like an idiot and saying "use the 3rd fret on the Low B", try playing some Lamb of God using this method. I'm serious, if you can do it upload a video of yourself doing it and I will worship you forever.

This method will work fine in some situations but there are many that it wont. His question has been answered though, ADADG is what I do.

 

[doctorpunch]

ADADG

 

[ggunn]

Unless the music calls for some weird chording stuff that you can't do with normal tuning, I'd just stick with that. I almost never use open strings, anyway.

 

[ixlramp]

If you go ADADG, it's worth buying larger gauge strings for the low A and D. In most sets the B and E strings are too loose (especially the B), detuning them makes them even floppier.

I recommend at least .145 for A and .110 for D.