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5 string tuning 1/2 step down?

#41
I transpose for 4 diff tunnings in 5 diff bands(fwiw). I decided long ago to learn to play in any key w/o changing tunning. Still learning:rolleyes:

I'm pretty good at following a singer when thy put a capo on, I'm usually the one to explain to the other guitarist or keys player, or volinist what key and the chord tones the singer is using.

It's usually the Metal guys that go ahead and downtune, if I was in just one band and they played below B, I would prob look at a 6'er tuned F#BEADG, and still just play the NOTES not the POSITIONS. But then again I haven't been in one band that gigs 100+ times a year (That tunes lower than I can go with a standard 5'er). :)

To each their own, don't let tunning or downtunning or whatever get in the way, play how you wanna play. :bassist:
 
#43
It would be ignorant to argue detuning does not change the tension of the string (but I don't think anyone here saying that).

The question is whether a small change in tension can be used as an excuse for playing poorly or sounding bad; it is my opinion that a good bass player can easily adapt to minor change and keep on rockin'!

Furthermore in my experience, the best players tend to be the least picky about their gear. "I can't play with that type of bass/amp/strings because it's not 'my sound'!!!" is an amateur complaint, IMHO.
 
#44
Mushroo said:
It would be ignorant to argue detuning does not change the tension of the string (but I don't think anyone here saying that).

The question is whether a small change in tension can be used as an excuse for playing poorly or sounding bad; it is my opinion that a good bass player can easily adapt to minor change and keep on rockin'!

Furthermore in my experience, the best players tend to be the least picky about their gear. "I can't play with that type of bass/amp/strings because it's not 'my sound'!!!" is an amateur complaint, IMHO.
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Agreed!
 
#47
I've played in many bands that tuned either a half or whole step down, to the point I actually prefer the reduced string tension it provides. The difference is subtle but it is noticeable - each time I return to standard tuning it takes a second to get used to the tension. I played in a band for nearly 4 years where one guitarist had a standard 6 tuned to drop-d and the other had a 7 string with both the bottom strings tuned a whole step down, drop a-d if you please. I played a 5 string bass and did the same, with both a Carvin Xb75 and a Warwick SSII-5 and neither tone nor playability suffered. Was much more seamless for me personally than transposing would've been, and I didn't have to change my string gauge at all, played DR Longnecks, .045-.120 if I recall correctly. No setup changes were necessary. Just my experience anyway.
 
#48
mikezimmerman said:
Having tuned down a 1/2 step for lots of bands, in my experience there IS a difference in tension. The difference varies depending on which bass and strings I'm using, but I certainly can tell the difference playing "before and after".

That said, having slightly less tension is not at all the same thing as being "floppy". It's more like going to a slightly lighter set of strings.

Edit: Have a look at the Circle K string tension chart at Link Removed , which is kinda interesting information. The difference in tension on their .130 string tuned to B vs. Bb is about 4lb (36.0lb vs. 32.1lb), and the next lighter gauge, .124, is 32.9lb when tuned to a B.
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Amen!
 
#49
Just for fun I played yesterday tuned down a whole step (A-D-G-C-F) and ran through a bunch of songs. Playability was fine, although I had to lighten my touch a bit. But I found myself not liking the tone as much for the kind of music that band does (classic rock, lots of Pink Floyd). It seemed that the sustain portion of the notes was nice and growly, but there was less attack on each note. Sounded perfect for droning slow metal type stuff, but a bit weird for what i was doing. Not a huge difference, but it was there. Has anybody else noticed this?
 
#50
smeet said:
Just for fun I played yesterday tuned down a whole step (A-D-G-C-F) and ran through a bunch of songs. Playability was fine, although I had to lighten my touch a bit. But I found myself not liking the tone as much for the kind of music that band does (classic rock, lots of Pink Floyd). It seemed that the sustain portion of the notes was nice and growly, but there was less attack on each note. Sounded perfect for droning slow metal type stuff, but a bit weird for what i was doing. Not a huge difference, but it was there. Has anybody else noticed this?
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Yes, I have noticed this. I typically compensate by 1) lighter touch (as you mention); 2) move my right hand a little closer to the bridge.
 
#51
I will second this suggestion. I'm currently subbing in a band that plays 2 sets in standard tuning and one set 1/2 step down. I use a 34" for the standard sets and 35" for the flat set. Works just fine. It's also nice for learning songs that were recorded flat because I don't have to constantly retune and set up my basses.

srayb said:
I'd tune 1/2 step down to make it much easier for you!

Also try heavier gauge strings to reduce the floppiness.

It would work best on a longer scale (35") bass, rather than the standard 34" scale of most basses. I've played Ibanez BTB basses that are 35" scale and they have an awesome low string sound. With 34" scale basses, when you tune lower than a B (or even C some might say) it starts to really lose a lot of the tonal qualities at the very bottom.
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#52
Well, my original question,... I should have been a little clearer.
My guitar player plays a half step down but doesn't play every song a half step down,... if it was written in E then he plays it in E.
This is the real question, if you have lets say 50/50 songs standard and half down, what should the bass do?
I did go a half step down and didn't like it, I think I would rather deal with adjusting, but keep a cleaner sounding bass.
Dropping a half step does make my strings too floppy for me,.. yes I can play it that way, but I don't like it, but I can tell the difference. There might be people that can't tell the difference and I'm sure they are out there. Yes it comes back the the old songs I'm use to playing and where I play them I guess.
Thanks!
 
#53
Right now I am learning a bunch of cover songs in standard (if they were recorded that way) then tuning down to Eb to match the guitar players, and then transposing up or further down to help match the song to the singers vocal range. it gets a little nutty at times.
For me, the strings are noticeably looser tuned down but not floppy.

If tuning down makes the strings too loose for you, then transposing is the best bet.
 
#56
smeet said:
It's a feel thing, everybody likes what they like. My scale length is 34.5", and the extra 1/2" gives my B string a bit of tightness that I like. It's a small but noticeable difference. I wouldn't want to give that up by tuning down.
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I dunno. I've played a lotta brands over the years, but this is the first time I've heard it described as such. Altho I've been playing in dropped/alternate tunings probably over the half of the 12+ years I've been playing bass, so it's not as big a deal. Playing in E std feels weird to me at this point lol!
 
#57
My current band plays a mix of standard and drop D, and I like having fourths so I just tune everything down a whole step and move the standard tuning stuff up a couple frets (or change strings....common sense prevails). My last band was a metal band playing drop Db, so I did the same thing, but my B string was an Ab. Even tuned that low I played the B string open a few times. I would recommend high-tension strings though so it doesn't get too floppy on you, and adjust your intonation
 
#59
When I use my 5-string, I rarely tune down. I transpose. The only reason I would retune would be if the music uses pedal tones or something requiring certain open string tones that would otherwise be too difficult to play if transposing. I think I might be in the minority on this one though.

Also, anything below the low B starts to really lose any articulation for me. Yes, lots of metal/nu-metal tunes go lower than B, but at some point it becomes more of a rumble than an actual note (especially live performances). That said, when I have tuned down a half step, I haven't really noticed a significant difference when it comes to how the strings feel under my fingers.

At the end of the day, do what feels best to you and whatever works for the music.
 
#60
I play tuned down a half step in the band I'm in now. I started doing this when I played guitar a few years back and just started doing it again. Honestly, I like the way it sounds in some songs and it is eaiser on the singer. I dont notice it feeling any different to me.

we used to do tuned down a half Carry On Wayward Son when I played guitar and it really made it narly sounding. Changed the complexion of the song to me.


BnB
 

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