• 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.

Anyone tune their 6 string F#, B, E, A, D, G?

K

kidgloves2

Mar 27, 2006
150
3
#1
Has anyone here tried tuning their 6 string F#, B, E, A, D, G? If so, what strings did you use and was the F# tight?

This is a long shot, but do you have any audio or video using it?

What is your overall opinion of it?
 
#2
i did, twice, and just started again today.
thread link:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=608669
follow the link and check out the tracks with sub contrabass guitar
in the description.
i used ken smith strings at the time ('91), but there are better strings available today...
it is killer sounding (and feeling) imho.
however, i've only had one instrument that it worked (for me) on that was a production instrument. ymmv.
i just received another one, today, after a search....
very happy to be doing this again.
 
#4
a few of my 7's and both of my 8's are tuned with a low f# - been doing that since '97. i use SIT strings, with a .165 for the low f#, and they're pretty good.

i've been really digging skip fantry's circle k strings - got a couple sets that i've been trying out and they sound fantastic. last for months sounding new too.

the thing with lower-than-b notes in my opinion is that you need to use a sub of some sort - something geared toward reproducing the lower frequencies. doesn't necessarily have to be "flat to 18 hz" or any such nonsense, but the cabs need to have some kind of presence below 40 Hz.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Watchootognbout
#5
Ric5 said:
I find the notes below the low B flat don't sound good.
Click to expand...

It depends on the instrument, the strings, and the quality of sound reproduction. I've heard low F#'s which sound pretty incredible.

When I had a 7-string (34" Conklin GT-7), I once tuned it F#BEADGC, and I had a lot of trouble getting those notes on the F# string to project myself. Part of it I think was the string I was using was far too light a gauge.
 
#6
What about tuning Drop-E? Meaning take the low F# and tune it down a whole step to get E-B-E-A-D-G? I think an extended scale Carvin could tighten up the lowest string. They're 35 1/4" scale and neck through. Plus use really heavy strings.

Also, would a bass cabinet with a 15" speaker help bring out the low F#/Drop-E?
 
#7
as far as scale, mine is 34" and is better sounding than longer scale erb's i've owned/tried. i think it is design and woods used, with the right pups. it is a production line instrument (no longer made though). the speaker doesn't matter as much as the cab design and tuning. ( i have a 1x10 cab that is tuned lower than 1x18 cabs i've owned). you do need a decent amount of power ime, those sub frequencies are hungry...
(i do like the "feel" of 18's though...)
 
#9
I've been low-tuning for much of the past 10 years, and like D.A.R.K. started out with what conventional gauges were available at the time. Since ERB solutions began to appear I've found the best combination of fatness and definition for my 34" basses using Circle K strings.

As far as cabs, lots of bass cabs will deal with low F# at lower or moderate volumes. But to really leverage it at higher levels like john turner I think it sounds best with subwoofers that are tuned lower and have big excursion capabilities without farting out when the watts get poured on, along with something that can reach up higher than a sub, sitting on top.

That's basically what the fEarful cabs are: subwoofers in the same box as drivers that can reach up through the spectrum. Low tuning is a big part of why I designed 'em. I got tired of bulky cab combinations - or bass cabs that farted too easy and lost their tonal balance as they dropped off in response when the lower strings got played louder.
 
#10
Hi.

About two weeks ago, just out of curiosity and as I had a "spare" (cheapo) 6er I bought the Warwick Dark Lord set + D&G as separate Black Labels.

I was amazed how well even a puny WM10 brought out some definition with absolutely stock pickups and electronics. True I can't push it at all if I want the speaker to stay in one piece, but this is definately something that I like to take further.

The BL gauges on mine (34") are: .045-.065-.085-.105-.135-.175

I don't feel that the .175 is particulary tight, but not overly loose either.
It does require some getting used to, but that's the case in anything worthwile?

Regards
Sam
 
#14
kidgloves2 said:
What is your overall opinion of it?
Click to expand...

IME, pitches lower than the low "B" are usually felt more than heard. There just isn't much actual tonality left when you get down that low. :hmm:

It really does take special gear - and special care - in order to optimize those subterranean frequencies, or even make them usable at all. Under the best of circumstances, they're best used sparingly.

MM
 
#15
MysticMichael said:
IME, pitches lower than the low "B" are usually felt more than heard. There just isn't much actual tonality left when you get down that low. :hmm:

It really does take special gear - and special care - in order to optimize those subterranean frequencies, or even make them usable at all. Under the best of circumstances, they're best used sparingly.

MM
Click to expand...


Here are a couple of tracks from my second solo (but yet unreleased)CD called Trioplicity, I'm using my fretless sub contra bass tuned C# F$ B E. You can definitely hear the notes that are lower than the low B.

 
#16
williamshively said:
can anyone tell me where i can get F# strings or a set that can be F# B E A D G? The only place i found was Conklin who sells F# strings for $24 each which is absolutely ridiculous.
Click to expand...

The place I would go for that string is Link Removed. From their tension charts you would probably want something between 0.166 and 0.182. All the Circle K strings in that size range are also $24....

Strings that large are not popular so the volume is low and the price is high. On the other hand once you have acquired the speaker system needed to do a good job on frequencies that low a $24 F# string isn't going to seem so bad! It is the price of being a pioneer. And then once you have paid the price and start making the music everyone on TB will say that you can't, you don't, and you are just deluding yourself.

Just ask JAUQO III-X! :D

Ken
 
#18
khutch said:
The place I would go for that string is Link Removed. From their tension charts you would probably want something between 0.166 and 0.182. All the Circle K strings in that size range are also $24....

Strings that large are not popular so the volume is low and the price is high. On the other hand once you have acquired the speaker system needed to do a good job on frequencies that low a $24 F# string isn't going to seem so bad! It is the price of being a pioneer. And then once you have paid the price and start making the music everyone on TB will say that you can't, you don't, and you are just deluding yourself.

Just ask JAUQO III-X! :D
Click to expand...


You are definitely on point Ken.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back