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C-G-C-F Tuning?
- Thread starter Cubeface
- Start date
Word.
I play in drop-c and drop d quite often (playing metal), and thick strings are an absolute must. I use power slinkys as well, and love 'em. If you're going to be playing drop-c a lot, you might want to look into a 35'' scale length bass like an Ibanez BTB or something, cause that'll help keep your strings from flopping around too much. Hope that helps mang.
That's nutz.
My band tunes "drop-B," which means I'm at BF#BE. We use the low B all the time.
I guess Acacia Strain can get away with it because they really don't play anything that fast. Being a thrash band, our stuff would probably end up being too muddy if we tuned that low (even with thicker strings).
I tuned to C for a recent project - I used a .130 B tuned up for the bottom string, it has all the punch of a regular E string at standard pitch. This is because the tension of a .130 string at C is very close to a .105 string at E (this info brought to you by D'Addario's excellent string tension/pitch chart).
c-
I have one of my basses tuned to CGCF for my cover band.
Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Killswitch Engage, Papa Roach, System of a Down, Atreyu...
Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Killswitch Engage, Papa Roach, System of a Down, Atreyu...
Only "Nu-metal" kiddies do that.
lolololol
Welcome, xXMurderSoulXx.
You last visited: 11-17-2007
Ahh a tuning thread that I can relate to. I tried tuning a .125 up to C, it sounded horrible. Too much tension on the string created really strange overtones and actually killed some sustain and vibration.
I use a .115, .085, .065 and .045 DR Lo Rider set. I have to custom order the .115s, but the rest of the set comes straight from the stock 4 string pack. You can get away with tuning the A D and G down a whole step without too much trouble, the strings still have plenty of tension on them. The .115 isn't gargantuan compared to the rest of the strings, so it doesn't feel out of place.
On the subject of setups, Using the formula I have mentioned above, I've had to make a minimal height adjustment at the bridge, and widen the nut slot for the .115. No neck tweaking, no intonation issues. If I want to go jam with my classic rock buddies, all I have to do is throw a .105 on and tune up, I'm ready to go.
Lastly, the subject of 5 strings. A few people have scoffed at my tuning and said "Why don't you just get a 5 string?" Well, the answer is pretty simple. My band utilizes the low C a lot, and it would be impossible for me to play the parts properly if I had to keep jumping down to grab that first fret. Listen to my little breakdown on "Mom With A Gun" ( see sig for myspace page and music), there's no way I could pull that off if I played it on a 5 tuned to B.
Anyway, long rants aside, I'm really stoked to see other people using the same tuning as me, and I'm glad to share my experience on the subject. I've tried it all, and this is what works the best for me.
I use a .115, .085, .065 and .045 DR Lo Rider set. I have to custom order the .115s, but the rest of the set comes straight from the stock 4 string pack. You can get away with tuning the A D and G down a whole step without too much trouble, the strings still have plenty of tension on them. The .115 isn't gargantuan compared to the rest of the strings, so it doesn't feel out of place.
On the subject of setups, Using the formula I have mentioned above, I've had to make a minimal height adjustment at the bridge, and widen the nut slot for the .115. No neck tweaking, no intonation issues. If I want to go jam with my classic rock buddies, all I have to do is throw a .105 on and tune up, I'm ready to go.
Lastly, the subject of 5 strings. A few people have scoffed at my tuning and said "Why don't you just get a 5 string?" Well, the answer is pretty simple. My band utilizes the low C a lot, and it would be impossible for me to play the parts properly if I had to keep jumping down to grab that first fret. Listen to my little breakdown on "Mom With A Gun" ( see sig for myspace page and music), there's no way I could pull that off if I played it on a 5 tuned to B.
Anyway, long rants aside, I'm really stoked to see other people using the same tuning as me, and I'm glad to share my experience on the subject. I've tried it all, and this is what works the best for me.
While we're sharing other low tunings...
I've got my five string tuned to drop G#. Drop G is just a little bit too loose (145 B string) and I don't feel like paying for the larger B string.
My SX jazz is in open B (BF#BF#) with that Ernie Ball 55-110 set.
Same 55-110 set on my Epi thunderbird and I have that tuned to drop A. Surprisingly the strings handle it well and the tension is good and very usable in that tuning.
The last two examples are proof that you don't need a 5 string to tune to, or lower than B. You don't even need to throw a 5 string set on a 4 to get there.
It depends on the instrument too I think. I can't go any lower than B on my SX, but the thunderbird can go down to a usable G# if I want to, same scale lengths, same strings. Not sure why that happens though. Can anyone shed some light on this?
There is nothing bad for the instrument when tuning low. You'll probably have to make some adjustments to the neck and the bridge, nothing too major. If you don't feel comfortable or don't know how to do it though, there is plenty of information on Talkbass.
I'd recommend the Ernie Ball 55-110 set, and that you tune down to drop C! Back when I'd only been playing for about a year, SOAD was the band that got me interested in tuning to something other than standard. Now, years later I almost never tune higher than drop C. haha
EDIT
Also, just to throw this in there. To me, "usable" means that the strings aren't too floppy, and that normal fretting pressure doesn't cause the strings to bend out of tune. That's how I know when I need larger strings to go lower.
I've got my five string tuned to drop G#. Drop G is just a little bit too loose (145 B string) and I don't feel like paying for the larger B string.
My SX jazz is in open B (BF#BF#) with that Ernie Ball 55-110 set.
Same 55-110 set on my Epi thunderbird and I have that tuned to drop A. Surprisingly the strings handle it well and the tension is good and very usable in that tuning.
The last two examples are proof that you don't need a 5 string to tune to, or lower than B. You don't even need to throw a 5 string set on a 4 to get there.
It depends on the instrument too I think. I can't go any lower than B on my SX, but the thunderbird can go down to a usable G# if I want to, same scale lengths, same strings. Not sure why that happens though. Can anyone shed some light on this?
There is nothing bad for the instrument when tuning low. You'll probably have to make some adjustments to the neck and the bridge, nothing too major. If you don't feel comfortable or don't know how to do it though, there is plenty of information on Talkbass.
I'd recommend the Ernie Ball 55-110 set, and that you tune down to drop C! Back when I'd only been playing for about a year, SOAD was the band that got me interested in tuning to something other than standard. Now, years later I almost never tune higher than drop C. haha
EDIT
Also, just to throw this in there. To me, "usable" means that the strings aren't too floppy, and that normal fretting pressure doesn't cause the strings to bend out of tune. That's how I know when I need larger strings to go lower.
Thanks a lot man. Seriously. I always felt weird posting about that band here since I was the singer and not the bass player. haha I am bummed about it being over though.
A few of us are hopefully starting up a new band, and I WILL be playing bass in that along with singing. It'll be a three piece. Same drummer, and one of the same guitar players. From the little we've talked about it, it'll be slower, heavier (not to say there won't be quiet parts), "bigger". Hopefully that starts up soon, I'm dying to play bass in a band again. ha
Awesome, I sent StWF a friend request, keep me informed on when the new band gets together, I will gladly come out and support y'all. I could also put you in touch with some good people.
Sure thing man. Good people seem hard to come by in NWI. ha
And to get back on topic a bit...
About the whole "you should just get a five string" thing. Well...
:scowl: 
I think those adequately express how I feel about that. I think people that suggest that you need a 5 for lower tunings are forgetting that so much of the chunk and grit that comes from lower tuned bass players is from the strings having a little more slack than usual. I know I could get the same A on my thunderbird by throwing a 135 on there, AND I DID. Hated the sound, it was too clean. Threw the 110 back on there and it's great. It has some slack, bounces off the frets a little bit and sounds gritty and awesome. But it does depend on the sound the person wants.
My two cents on that.
That's my standard tuning on both my basses. I'm a lot more comfortable with a 4 string neck thats drop-tuned to CGCF than a 5er. I've had 5ers, but can do almost the same with the drop-tuned 4banger. It's the best of both worlds. I submitted this post a while back if it helps:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5662855#post5662855
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5662855#post5662855
i've got one Stingray 4 string that I tune CGCF in one band and EADG in another. Is this bad for my bass? I've got the thickest DR Hi beams on, and the guy who sold them to me, told me that there wasn't any harm doing so.
My C is tight enough and my E not too tight, so no probs there, right?
So my question is, does it harm my bass in anyway?
My C is tight enough and my E not too tight, so no probs there, right?
So my question is, does it harm my bass in anyway?
Nope. I wouldn't worry about it. Personally, I'd prefer two basses, so I didn't have to keep completely retuning my bass.
Or you could just buy the new Warwick Vampyre Dark Lord and save the trouble of tuning low 
That bass is tuned F# B E A. The F# string is HUGE
That bass is tuned F# B E A. The F# string is HUGE
- Dec 15, 2007
- 556
- 45
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ashdown/ESP/Dunlop/Line 6/Normandy.
Throughout the course of a set I go from drop-D to standard, A 440, to dropping JUST my E string to a C, back to standard A440, to dropping to C-G-C-F.
All on one bass, and have never had a problem, OR tone/tuning issues (gotta LOVE the steel reinforced Warmoth necks!)
I keep my backup bass tuned to standard, since that's where the majority of our songs are (and I don't want to carry 3).
Tuning time on stage isn't an issue, either. I have a hipshot for the drop-D/back to standard, and the song where I go to C-G-C-F, I don't come in until half way through the first verse ("October", on my band page. Click "The Snow" in the sig.)
All on one bass, and have never had a problem, OR tone/tuning issues (gotta LOVE the steel reinforced Warmoth necks!)
I keep my backup bass tuned to standard, since that's where the majority of our songs are (and I don't want to carry 3).
Tuning time on stage isn't an issue, either. I have a hipshot for the drop-D/back to standard, and the song where I go to C-G-C-F, I don't come in until half way through the first verse ("October", on my band page. Click "The Snow" in the sig.)
