Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[emjazz]

Any suggestions for regular tension flats for C standard tuning on a 4 string??
Can't seem to find any that have correct gauges. I'm about to give up.

E to G tuning? I've only tried TI's and the Labella. Both great, but definitely lower tension.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

E to G tuning? I've only tried TI's and the Labella. Both great, but definitely lower tension.

CFBbEb

 

[emjazz]

CFBbEb

I've never used alternative tunings. I always feel I have my hands full with standard tuning. Lol

 

[emjazz]

CFBbEb

Is that C below or above a standard low E?

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Is that C below or above a standard low E?

C below.
(One semi tone above standard B 5 string tuning)

I only play 4 strings so this tuning is very useful. A good middle ground between E standard and a low B on a 5 string

 

[JES]

I like EB Cobalt flats and the 40-95 is low tension once broken in. But as always your problem will be the low C.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I used the D'Addario online String Tension Pro string tension calculator

I need to check out ^^^that calculator. I have a fretless 5-string that's become my preferred go-to instrument for abstract ambient soundscape generation, and I've been wanting to try it tuned in fifths (from low C). But I am hesitant to mess with what is currently a perfect setup tuned EADGC; it has the lowest action, straightest neck, and most balanced string-to-string tension of any of my basses, and I fear I may never be able to recreate that if I try CGDAE and then want to go back to EADGC!

 

[steubig]

CFBbEb

seems to me it depends if you like higher tension or lower tension. i have basses tuned down to the A below a standard low B. the string can almost do it, but you're also talking about 27.5 hz, so it's slow and unstable.

that bass has some ken smith flats a friend gave me. i'd have to look around to see what the gauges are.

for my purposes, a 130 has been good for a low A. but it seems like you have different needs . . . ?

I've never used alternative tunings. I always feel I have my hands full with standard tuning. Lol

all my stuff is tuned in fourths.

if i'm playing full improv, i'm not thinking literally in terms of keys, i'm think in terms of sound/pitch and who i'm playing with (with other bass players, i'll often use the D-Eb basses for timbral reasons). i have used the low bass for funk jams, but that's easy if it's 1-4 chords.

when i'm playing my written music, i write it as if notated for standard 6-string, but with transposition in minds (write a C, but it sounds as Eb; write C, sounds as Bb).

my alb "pomegranate" has three tunes like this, two "in Eb" (the varner and dresser tunes) and one "in Bb" (the nels tune). for my minim discs, the majority of the music is on Eb basses.

 

[steubig]

I need to check out ^^^that calculator. I have a fretless 5-string that's become my preferred go-to instrument for abstract ambient soundscape generation, and I've been wanting to try it tuned in fifths (from low C). But I am hesitant to mess with what is currently a perfect setup tuned EADGC; it has the lowest action, straightest neck, and most balanced string-to-string tension of any of my basses, and I fear I may never be able to recreate that if I try CGDAE and then want to go back to EADGC!

i've mentioned the kalium stuff; they have a full chart of gauges and tension to pitch. that being said, i know they hit some hiccups, but i have had pretty good luck with them in the past.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

seems to me it depends if you like higher tension or lower tension. i have basses tuned down to the A below a standard low B. the string can almost do it, but you're also talking about 27.5 hz, so it's slow and unstable.

that bass has some ken smith flats a friend gave me. i'd have to look around to see what the gauges are.

for my purposes, a 130 has been good for a low A. but it seems like you have different needs . . . ?



all my stuff is tuned in fourths.

if i'm playing full improv, i'm not thinking literally in terms of keys, i'm think in terms of sound/pitch and who i'm playing with (with other bass players, i'll often use the D-Eb basses for timbral reasons). i have used the low bass for funk jams, but that's easy if it's 1-4 chords.

when i'm playing my written music, i write it as if notated for standard 6-string, but with transposition in minds (write a C, but it sounds as Eb; write C, sounds as Bb).

my alb "pomegranate" has three tunes like this, two "in Eb" (the varner and dresser tunes) and one "in Bb" (the nels tune). for my minim discs, the majority of the music is on Eb basses.

Indeed, for low A I use minimum .135 gauge.

 

[emjazz]

seems to me it depends if you like higher tension or lower tension. i have basses tuned down to the A below a standard low B. the string can almost do it, but you're also talking about 27.5 hz, so it's slow and unstable.

that bass has some ken smith flats a friend gave me. i'd have to look around to see what the gauges are.

for my purposes, a 130 has been good for a low A. but it seems like you have different needs . . . ?



all my stuff is tuned in fourths.

if i'm playing full improv, i'm not thinking literally in terms of keys, i'm think in terms of sound/pitch and who i'm playing with (with other bass players, i'll often use the D-Eb basses for timbral reasons). i have used the low bass for funk jams, but that's easy if it's 1-4 chords.

when i'm playing my written music, i write it as if notated for standard 6-string, but with transposition in minds (write a C, but it sounds as Eb; write C, sounds as Bb).

my alb "pomegranate" has three tunes like this, two "in Eb" (the varner and dresser tunes) and one "in Bb" (the nels tune). for my minim discs, the majority of the music is on Eb basses.

Pomegranate is a great record! I'll go back and listen again. The other I'll check out for sure.

Really great points on alternate tunings. These days my musical universe is shrinking rapidly (more to do with me than the world's situation), but the points you've made make perfect sense. Interesting about writing for standard tuning with the transposition in mind. I wouldn't have thought of that.

 

[steubig]

Indeed, for low A I use minimum .135 gauge.

that would seem adequate for me.

why not just use a regular low B? it's gonna be up a half step for your use, so it'll add some tension.

 

[steubig]

Pomegranate is a great record! I'll go back and listen again. The other I'll check out for sure.

thanks, i got lucky.

Really great points on alternate tunings. These days my musical universe is shrinking rapidly (more to do with me than the world's situation), but the points you've made make perfect sense. Interesting about writing for standard tuning with the transposition in mind. I wouldn't have thought of that.

you're sane.

 

[Bob_Ross]

i've mentioned the kalium stuff; they have a full chart of gauges and tension to pitch. that being said, i know they hit some hiccups, but i have had pretty good luck with them in the past.

Any idea if Skip Fantry is still associated with Kalium? (Or am I conflating stories and Skip was never associated with Kalium?)

 

[emjazz]

thanks, i got lucky.







you're sane.

Hahahaha...most days.

 

[steubig]

Any idea if Skip Fantry is still associated with Kalium? (Or am I conflating stories and Skip was never associated with Kalium?)

yeah, it was him and chris cardone, then chris went on to other things. afaik, it's all skip now.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

yeah, it was him and chris cardone, then chris went on to other things. afaik, it's all skip now.

What makes kalium your string of choice?

 

[steubig]

What makes kalium your string of choice?

i’ve been using them because they have (had?) a lot of available gauges and they lasted a long time.

but, they’re not all i use: i have six basses with kaliums (all rounds: two regular strung, two high-strung, two 12s) two with thomastiks (flats), two with pyramids (rounds) with hopefully two more to follow (flats), and one with ken smiths (flats).

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

i’ve been using them because they have (had?) a lot of available gauges and they lasted a long time.

but, they’re not all i use: i have six basses with kaliums (all rounds: two regular strung, two high-strung, two 12s) two with thomastiks (flats), two with pyramids (rounds) with hopefully two more to follow (flats), and one with ken smiths (flats).

Wow, that's alot of strings.
I think after so many years my favorites are really dead rounds followed closely by really dead flats.

I mean really old and dead. Borderline tetanus shot old.

All D'addario, because I could get them anywhere and happen to be my favorites. Yep, I'm that boring

seems to me it depends if you like higher tension or lower tension. i have basses tuned down to the A below a standard low B. the string can almost do it, but you're also talking about 27.5 hz, so it's slow and unstable.

that bass has some ken smith flats a friend gave me. i'd have to look around to see what the gauges are.

for my purposes, a 130 has been good for a low A. but it seems like you have different needs . . . ?



all my stuff is tuned in fourths.

if i'm playing full improv, i'm not thinking literally in terms of keys, i'm think in terms of sound/pitch and who i'm playing with (with other bass players, i'll often use the D-Eb basses for timbral reasons). i have used the low bass for funk jams, but that's easy if it's 1-4 chords.

when i'm playing my written music, i write it as if notated for standard 6-string, but with transposition in minds (write a C, but it sounds as Eb; write C, sounds as Bb).

my alb "pomegranate" has three tunes like this, two "in Eb" (the varner and dresser tunes) and one "in Bb" (the nels tune). for my minim discs, the majority of the music is on Eb basses.

 

[monsterthompson]

Any of the modular folks use the Afterneath module? I wasn’t in love with the pedal version I tried but I’m looking at it as a module and wondering if I should reconsider.