• 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.

BTB 5 String, full step down

D

davet999

Jun 10, 2010
12
0
#1
Been looking at Ibanez BTB 5 strings for a while. My current band tunes down a full step. Anyone tune a BTB 5 string this way? I'm concerned with a usless B string just flopping around.

Of course I could use standard tuning and relearn all the songs, but well - you know.... :D

TIA,
DaveT
 
#7
You don't need a 150 for tuning down to A, unless you like lots of tension and want microscopic action. A 130 or 135 will be fine and work better with the rest or your strings. Next thing you know people will be saying you should use a 120 for tuning your E down to D. Down tuning one step doesn't requier a super heavy gauge.
 
#8
davet999 said:
Been looking at Ibanez BTB 5 strings for a while. My current band tunes down a full step. Anyone tune a BTB 5 string this way? I'm concerned with a usless B string just flopping around.
...
Click to expand...

I can base my answer solely on an Ibanez SR405 I owned; it should be able to do it. The intonation on the 405's B string was set 35 inches from the nut when I finally dialed it in - it was only a 34-inch scaled bass - but I was able to intonate the whole bass 1 whole step down. There was a lot of adjustment range available on that bass's bridge, I'm thinking the same should hold true for the BTB.
 
#10
AmadeusXeno said:
You don't need a 150 for tuning down to A, unless you like lots of tension and want microscopic action. A 130 or 135 will be fine and work better with the rest or your strings. Next thing you know people will be saying you should use a 120 for tuning your E down to D. Down tuning one step doesn't requier a super heavy gauge.
Click to expand...

Tuning to D would call for a .110 or .115 - .130 to .135 is barely a decent B string.

A .135 at A is roughly 30 pounds of tension and in most cases isn't as tight as the tension the string is manufactured at - you REALLY want to play your strings at higher tensions than they are manufactured at. You REALLY do . . .
 
#14
The d-tuner on my Stambaugh 6's B drops to A; IIRC the gauge is 130 or so. It works well, although I don't go all *Fieldy* on it. Maybe a little heavier string set as you're going a step down across the board/strings. Ibanez are pretty well-built, IME- and the 35" scale can't hurt.
 
#16
knuckle_head said:
Sidesteps the point I was making, but okay. If your preference for B is in the .130 (36 pounds) range, a similar tension (37.5 pounds) at A is a .150. A .142 at A comes in at just under 34 pounds.
Click to expand...

If I were really worried about tension alone, I would have gone for 37" scale, but my 34" scale sounds good enough where it's at. Even though 2" isn't exactly the same distance of a full step, close enough.

My goal was to test dropped A or have the possibility of using a thinner low B to have a cleaner upper register for 2 handed fret tapping.

However, it's not all tension based as construction/rigidity.
 
#17
All well and good, but you compromise consistent playing technique and tone within the set as well as messing with consistent output/volume if one string is way looser than the balance of your set.

EDIT; btw, I'm restringing a 36" 4 string fretless to B in mere moments - using a .124 for it. Same tension as a .130 on a 34" scale length.
 
#18
knuckle_head said:
All well and good, but you compromise consistent playing technique and tone within the set as well as messing with consistent output/volume if one string is way looser than the balance of your set.

EDIT; btw, I'm restringing a 36" 4 string fretless to B in mere moments - using a .124 for it. Same tension as a .130 on a 34" scale length.
Click to expand...

Compromise....me? Never. :p

Good to know on the tension equivalent. Hope to order it in about a year or so. Oddly enough, the next one will be a fretless 32" scale 7 string tuned BEADGBE. Mostly going this rout to soften the upper register.
 
#19
Lots of bassist that have made a good name for them selves don't even use a 130 for their low B. Most are using a 125 even on a 34" scale bass. I personally like a 130 on a 34" but have no problem with a 125 on a 35". By the way knuckle head this is the first time I've ever herd of someone saying you should go with higher tension then what comes from the factory. Could you explain the reason for this?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back