I have my Carvin LB76 tuned to F# using Circle K Strings 0.190. It sounds pretty good down to Ab/G#. F# is good although it does not have the same timbre as the other notes. It could be that my cabinet just can't reproduce it.
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Anyone tune their 6 string F#, B, E, A, D, G?
- Thread starter kidgloves2
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my main reason for considering getting it is to be able to get a low Bb or A. I'm playing a lot of gospel now. most of the guys tune their bass a half or whole step down from standard tuning to get it. But I've been playing for 28 years so I'm thinking it will be quite a task learning the entire neck over again. what do you guys think?
main reason for considering getting it is to be able to get a low Bb or A. I'm playing a lot of gospel now. most of the guys tune their bass a half or whole step down from standard tuning to get it. But I've been playing for 28 years so I'm thinking it will be quite a task learning the entire neck over again. what do you guys think?
Just do it, man! Don't let TB tell you that this will sound like crap, or that won't work, or this will be that and that. Decide for YOURSELF whether it sounds good, or feels good or plays well. TB is fun and all for suggestions and guidelines but you'd be amazed at how many people offer advice based ONLY on their own perspective and sometimes preconceived notions. What sounded like utter crap to them may end up sounding like pure sonic gold to you, and vice versa.
If you have the dough to try it out, try it out! Use TB as a tool for knowledge and suggestions, but don't let it be the end all, be all of things. Remember, all music is subjective!
If you have the dough to try it out, try it out! Use TB as a tool for knowledge and suggestions, but don't let it be the end all, be all of things. Remember, all music is subjective!
An low F# fundamental is I believe in the 20 something hertz range. A low B is I think around 31 hz so most cabs are struggling already and what your hearing are the harmonics from the note mostly. So I think to have a strong sounding F# you would need a cab that could handle frequencies in the low 40hz range and a lot of power!
Jeroen Paul Thesseling uses a 7 string with low F# and it sounds pretty good, he's playing a lot of micro-tonal stuff here
Considering we really don't hear fundamentals much on a 4 string bass low e either as stated, the argument of not hearing the fundamental enough is really kind of moot- the point of these low tunings isn't necessarily focused on that. It's about harmonic content just as much if not more. And the second harmonic of that low F# is easily recognizable as a lower note than a second harmonic low b, for example.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
I've thought about setting up a 6er with a low F#, but from all I've read in the "Amps" forum; it sounds really difficult to reproduce those low of notes.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Tune standard and install a hipshot on the B string. Flip it down when you need to and just think of it as an A string then. Easier to remember the notes because you already know them.
Depending on what you mean by 'reproduction'. On 5 string basses, B string never has problem getting reproduced, but it has a completely different timbre compared to the rest of strings, so people often find them lacking.
Go where no man has gone before.
I have even played out with the low C# string a 4th below F# on my 6 and 7 string basses. Of course the timbre is different just like the timbre is different on a 4 string if you compare E to G, top to bottom. The perceptions are different also. Lower tuned strings become more of a subcontrabass sort of thing; reaching deep down inside your soul's vibrations where it is felt maybe more than heard.
Above all enjoy the journey - it is yours and no one else's...they have their own.
I have even played out with the low C# string a 4th below F# on my 6 and 7 string basses. Of course the timbre is different just like the timbre is different on a 4 string if you compare E to G, top to bottom. The perceptions are different also. Lower tuned strings become more of a subcontrabass sort of thing; reaching deep down inside your soul's vibrations where it is felt maybe more than heard.
Above all enjoy the journey - it is yours and no one else's...they have their own.
Check the Pyramid website. It's been updated for 2013!
It's also possible to order your own custom set of strings
http://pyramid-saiten.de/de/direct/
If all you need is a low Bb or A then it would be far easier to use a Hipshot tuner set to tune between A and B as someone already suggested to get those notes on demand, or to just drop tune your low string permanently to an A. In both cases you will have a second A string and you already know the notes on an A string. You probably don't need special strings to do either one although the next time you change strings you might want to get a heavy gauge set to handle the A better.
It doesn't take a huge amount of time to relearn where the notes are in a new tuning. You will make embarrassing mistakes frequently in the beginning. I'm just not sure it is required in your case. I read that some gospel bassists started down tuning by half a step because a lot of gospel music is in flat keys and then some others started tuning down a whole step merely to do the others a half step better!! It is entirely up to you to decide if those reasons justify the hassle of relearning your fingerboard. I'm thinking that drop tuning, either permanent or via a Hipshot, is the better option. I play modern church music (not quite the same as gospel) on basses tuned to a low C. One of my basses has a Hipshot set to go down to an A and I have yet to use it.
Ken
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
I have this system on two of my basses. It was made for me by Hipshot, it's a double D tuner that allows my E and A string to be dropped to C# and F# with the flip of one lever.
And the E string gauge is .080 and the A string gauge is .060. Very light gauges but when I drop down to C# and F# they sound thunderous.
The first pic is my Xotic J bass and the second pic is my Lakland 4-94.
And the E string gauge is .080 and the A string gauge is .060. Very light gauges but when I drop down to C# and F# they sound thunderous.
The first pic is my Xotic J bass and the second pic is my Lakland 4-94.
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So can you explain to me what the difference is in tuning bass to Drop A, Drop Ab or Drop A#.. I've read a lot about people using those tuning, but can't find anywhere how your bass is tuned...
thanks for everyone's input on this discussion we're having. Khutch, you said i already know where the notes are on an A string if i tuned my lowest string to A. That's why I've been thinking about just tuning my entire six strings down a whole step. Because I already know the would be notes on the lowest 4 strings: A D G and C. I would then need to learn the notes on the two (newer) strings: F and Bb.
I was concerned about permanently tuning ONLY my lowest string to A because I felt it might be confusing the the arpeggiation shapes would be different on the two lowest strings
I was concerned about permanently tuning ONLY my lowest string to A because I felt it might be confusing the the arpeggiation shapes would be different on the two lowest strings
Not ridiculous, a .190 F# has 4 times as much metal as a .095, and often (although preferably not) has 4 layers of wrap wire.
Rotosound drop zone .175 set is cheap but IMO the F# has far too long a tapered section ... might cause strange overtones. The Pyramid .175 is 15.4 Euros. You really should try a Circle K F# they are apparently amazing, flexible and very clear. Octave 4 Plus F# strings are 21$.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
It comes down to the texture of the strings tonal output and ones touch.
Most players would never use strings as light as I do on my standard tuned basses to go as low as I go, they feel that the strings has to be very heavy to give good solid deepness.
