De-Tuning Issue

[Neveragain55]

Hi Gang,

I tried to down tune my 4 string down to: "C" "F" "Bb" "Eb" to be able to play a song in that range, and the strings at "that" tuning position don't hold enough tension for the bass to play properly. The strings were barely off of the neck, and they were rattling on the frets.

I had to abandon my attempt and tune it back to: EADG

Admittedly I've never tried this before so I don't have a lot of experience down tuning. Everything I've ever played has been straight up meat & potatoes EADG stuff.

Is there something I'm missing here or what?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks...

 

[bholder]

You need strings of appropriate gauge for the intended tuning. You'd be better off with a set of BEAD strings, like DR DDTs, or just the bottom four from a 5 set. You may also need to adjust the neck (truss rod) and bridge (intonation) when changing gauges and tunings.

 

[Neveragain55]

You need strings of appropriate gauge for the intended tuning. You'd be better off with a set of BEAD strings, like DR DDTs, or just the bottom four from a 5 set. You may also need to adjust the neck (truss rod) and bridge (intonation) when changing gauges and tunings.

Thanks,

I'll look into all of that as I'm sure I'm going to run into this issue again with different styles of music.

 

[Odia]

Went thru this recently. A big part of the problem is the neck has much less tension on it and wants to flatten out too much. You need to loosen the truss rod up a little so the strings aren't so close to the frets. That will help with the rattling. Also a much lighter touch helps.

 

[bohemond]

I down tune my Spector Legend classic from standard to Drop C. String doesnt flop and stays very playable. ADG strings i tune down either whole or half step as well. Sure they are looser but they dont rattle or buzz at all. I use 102 size e string to a 44 g string. Nickel. My old p bass downtuned very well with many different strings. Mostly Nickel but also with the DDTs. I stopped wasting money on the DDTs because on these teo basses i didnt need them. I an convinced the bass has more to do with it than string diameter

 

[BazzTard]

heavier gauge strings with more tension is the go

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Get yourself a 5 string set and put the BEAD strings on your bass, then tune up half a step.

 

[Jensby design]

^that or Kalium has any gauge you are to want and they're awesome for low tuning.