A-A-D-G tuning - what strings?

[Justyn Brando]

I know this is a unique tuning, but I've been diving into some Thrice tabs (To Be Everywhere is to be Nowhere book) and saw this tuning and wondered what the hell is he using for the "E" string to tune to "A"? It sounds fat as hell in the chords he's pulling off in the tracks.

 

[Jon Moody]

I'd use a B string tuned down, something like 45-65-85-135 or so.

 

[Mushroo]

Just get a 5 string set and don't use the E.

Or if you already like the strings on your bass, leave the ADG strings as-is, and just get a solo B string.

 

[Ronzo]

More alternate tuning idiocy.

I've recently learned that when playing "Rock and Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter, the guitar is tuned with every string is tuned to an A.

There's a reason that standard tuning evolved. We need to be musicians and play the instrument. Instead of letting untalented "musos" dictate something unnecessary and, IMO, stupid.

"But it just sounds HEAVIER, man!"

 

[Justyn Brando]

More alternate tuning idiocy.

I've recently learned that when playing "Rock and Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter, the guitar is tuned with every string is tuned to an A.

There's a reason that standard tuning evolved. We need to be musicians and play the instrument. Instead of letting untalented "musos" dictate something unnecessary and, IMO, stupid.

"But it just sounds HEAVIER, man!"

Not sure your soap box is tall enough.

 

[Justyn Brando]

Just get a 5 string set and don't use the E.

Or if you already like the strings on your bass, leave the ADG strings as-is, and just get a solo B string.

Yeah, I was planning on taking this route just for some fun on my practice bass. Thanks!

 

[NoiseNinja]

More alternate tuning idiocy.

I've recently learned that when playing "Rock and Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter, the guitar is tuned with every string is tuned to an A.

There's a reason that standard tuning evolved. We need to be musicians and play the instrument. Instead of letting untalented "musos" dictate something unnecessary and, IMO, stupid.

"But it just sounds HEAVIER, man!"

Yes, God forbid people using alternate tunings to be able to play stuff they weren't before with standard tuning, like the folk musicians that tune their guitars DADGAD.

And don't get me started about cello players, what idiot would tune their instrument in fifths.

Cello players have obvious been wrong all along, why do they refuse to adhere to STANDARD tuning, they think they are special or something conceited along those lines, damn those smug cellists and their special tuning needs!

Adhere to the norm that I define goddamnit!



...

Indeed!

It's called standard tuning for the reason that there are in fact other alternatives to it, otherwise it would just be called tuning.

You might consider sticking to a one string washtub bass in the future, seems like you got issues with having too many options.

 

[J Posega]

More alternate tuning idiocy.

I've recently learned that when playing "Rock and Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter, the guitar is tuned with every string is tuned to an A.

There's a reason that standard tuning evolved. We need to be musicians and play the instrument. Instead of letting untalented "musos" dictate something unnecessary and, IMO, stupid.

"But it just sounds HEAVIER, man!"

Dude, are you okay?

 

[Ricky Rioli]

More alternate tuning idiocy.

I've recently learned that when playing "Rock and Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter, the guitar is tuned with every string is tuned to an A

If that's upsetting you, you definitely don't want to read Gary Glitter's Wikipedia entry

 

[iiipopes]

What is the OP wanting in the way of feel? Does the OP wants that super low A string to feel like the A string above it on a standard light gauge set? I'm not going into all the math, all the discussion, and don't feed me all of the b###s### about inner winding techniques causing differences in tension, etc. I can tell you more about than than you can tell me. That said, read on.

There are two approaches.

1) ROUGHLY SPEAKING, double the diameter for an octave down version of the string, then experiment a gauge or two either way to get the desired feel. So, if a regular conventional round wound A is @ .080 diameter, start with getting a string of the same make and model in a .160 diameter string. D'Addario has an XL single in .160 for about $10 street price.

2) Again, ROUGHLY SPEAKING, the practical progression on the low string is about 5 thou per fret, or half step. Since a B string is usually @ .130 or .135, then add 10 thou, 5 thou per note (Bb-A) and you get to about the same place: @ .140 to a .145. GHS does make a stainless .138 in a single, contact Jon Moody to order; D'Addario makes an XL .145 for about $8-10 street price.

And of course, if the OP wants a different feel, then adjust accordingly.

 

[Jon Moody]

GHS does make a stainless .138 in a single, contact Jon Moody to order

it should be available in our online store currently, or through any of our dealers that carry single bass strings (or they can order it). No need to contact me.