• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

a 4-string and notes below E

#22
I have been dealing with this issue myself. For one tune in E flat(Let it Rise) I down tuned a half step since it was a lot of open notes. ut for another it got too complicated for me (In Christ Alone/Solid Rock) so I just played the E flat I had available. It sounded fine.

Same thing this weekend, big choir/orchestra tribute to the armed forces. Sure the open notes sound better but when I viewed the video it sounded fine without down tuning. The piano covered the low end.

So...I am rethinking my need for a 5 string. Just like one of the others said, it was done that way before fives came around (though I may get a hipshot)

So my advise is play it with what you have. Make it work and see what you think.
 
#23
dancrocker said:
So, you're suggesting I tune my 4-string to B E A D ? An interesting idea but I think that would throw me for a major loop. :)
Click to expand...

Nah, it feels totally natural after an hour.

In fact, I found that I used the B-string like my new E-string and the E stopped sounding quite as bassy and ballsy.

I seriously recommend this if you are looking for the most cost-effective route. 5-string sets are relatively cheap and you don't lose the comfort of your current bass.
 
#27
I own a hipshot.. if tuning BEAD would throw you off DADG would be tougher....

Overall.. I'd be thinking BEAD tuning..

I do tons of church sessions.. most of the contemporary stuff goes down to a low C or B..

BEFORE doing any of this.. I'd reall test a low note on yourroom. Abou 1/2 the churches I play have rooms that have bad sound curves.. a low B will go nuts... many times an A is the lowest note I play.

for contemporary --- you can do it.. most of the material are just bad U2 charts.

Tim
 
#30
Alembicplyr said:
+1 SX's are economically Viable.......

Ibanez 5'ers are pretty tight spaced.

Ibanez GSR205 $299

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Spector Legends also have a smaller spacing that most other basses I've played and owned.

To the OP: I'd go with a 5 before I would tune my bass BEAD. There will be times you'll want/need those notes in the upper register of the G string. I too have small hands and had no problems getting used to standard spaced 5 string necks. It just takes some time and you'll eventually adjust with practice. My logic, I owned a Fender Dlx Active Jazz V and in time my hands got used to the spacing and I was able to play it quite proficiently.
 
#31
Which low notes, exactly, do you need to play? If it's a D or Eb once in a while, just detune your E string to D. Only takes a few seconds with a tuner, or by ear by comparing it to the D string. Or get a Hipshot, but they can be fiddly until you get the hang of it.
It does take a little getting used to, dropping your E to D. But way less radical than BEAD tuning, which may require a new nut/total setup. And then you may have the dreaded 'dead sounding' B string a lot of folks complain about. Just drop the E and you're set.
 
#33
neurotictim said:
Or get one of these:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hipshot Xtender... just a flip will allow you to change between standard and drop-D tuning.

Of course, an SX bass is only a few dollars more...
Click to expand...

dancrocker said:
This is interesting; I wasn't even aware these things were available. How well do they work? Are there any issues with being out of tune when switching back and forth?

And, a cheap bass is similar money, but I like my p-bass and would rather not cart around two instruments (my car is a little small for that).

Dan
Click to expand...


All my 4 string basses ALWAYS had a HipShot D-Tuner on them.
I can play as well in the de-tuned (down to D) as much as I can in E.
Also, watch the keyboard/piano players left hand. If he's playing the root of the chord, and playing it as an octave, then going down below a low E may not be necessary.
Depending on the song, I either let him handle the low stuff (when I'm not playing a 5 string, then I threaten to cut off his pinky if he grabs that low root when I am).

But HipShot all the way.
And yes, once you get it set right, it stays in tune. A little graphite on the nut under the E helps too.
 
#34
dmusic148 said:
Which low notes, exactly, do you need to play? If it's a D or Eb once in a while, just detune your E string to D. Only takes a few seconds with a tuner, or by ear by comparing it to the D string. Or get a Hipshot, but they can be fiddly until you get the hang of it.
It does take a little getting used to, dropping your E to D. But way less radical than BEAD tuning, which may require a new nut/total setup. And then you may have the dreaded 'dead sounding' B string a lot of folks complain about. Just drop the E and you're set.
Click to expand...

So far, the lowest note I've needed on the songs I'm messing with is C#. Of course, this assumes that we play the song in the key I'm assuming it will be played in *and* I play the same bassline as the recording (shifted down). I'm going to play around with the bassline to see if I can rearrange it some as others have suggested so that I don't need these lower notes.
In any case, I think I'm also going to try the drop D tuning and see how it goes.
Regarding BEAD, I was wondering if the nut would need to be changed. It sounds like you think it might need to be. Further, I assume the setup would need to be adjusted. Since I do none of this myself, experimenting with BEAD would be rather complicated.
 
#35
I'll tell ya, IME you can get away with playing C# up an octave, rather than down. I have never had to play lower than D, and I gig a lot.
I will often use the Hipshot to hit a D or Eb just once or twice in a song, flipping it up/down as needed while playing, so there's another method.
And yes, setup will be required for BEAD. And the strings probably won't fit the nut, but it's possible.
 
#36
dmusic148 said:
I'll tell ya, IME you can get away with playing C# up an octave, rather than down. I have never had to play lower than D, and I gig a lot.
I will often use the Hipshot to hit a D or Eb just once or twice in a song, flipping it up/down as needed while playing, so there's another method.
And yes, setup will be required for BEAD. And the strings probably won't fit the nut, but it's possible.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll try playing the C# as you suggest and see what it sounds like. Also, I had to laugh picturing myself trying to flip the hipshot for specific notes. That wouldn't be pretty :eek:

Dan
 
#40
I play a 5 string at church. Most of the songs that need a note below E get jumped up an octave as if I were playing a 4. I only use the B string for certain sections or (mostly) for dramatic effect. I usually start or end tunes 1 or 2 octaves above the low E
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back