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Downtuning an M7 Sire bass

Jove Love

Jove Love

Guest
May 3, 2016
3
0
Brooklyn Ny
#1
hey guys, I'm a long time visitor of the sight since I picked up bass 5 years ago, first time poster.
Right now I own an M7 Marcus Miller sire 4 string and i realize that I want to hit lower notes than low E. I don't want to buy a 5 string so I was thinking of either buying a 5 string pack and just leaving out the G string OR just down tuning my current strings to BEAD.

My question is: does anyone own one of these babies and have they downtuned it? If so, was it able to handle the downtuning without having to adjust the truss rod or anything else for that matter?

Thanks in advance guys
 
#2
Hey Buddy,

So glad you made your first post. And you will get tons of replies.
But, you accidentally posted on the DB side of TB.
The moderators will be along shortly to move your post to the appropriate section. So, don't worry about reposting this post.

I will answer you in anyhow, in the Spirit of TB.

Using a 5 string set minus the G, does work, but your need to file the nut for the larger strings.
Downtuning works too, but depending on how low, you wanna go, the strings might get a little too loose feeling, and lose their attack. If you really wanna go as low as B, and your not worried about losing the higher register of the G string, I think the 5 string might sound better. But I know there are low tuning specific bass strings, so someone might recommend a certain 4 string set, that dosen't get to floppy. Which you may want try first, since it requires no modification to the nut of your Bass.

Best,
MB
 
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#3
Thank you so much for your reply. I'm also new to posting in forums haha. I currently use round wound strings and my research has told me that flat wound strings are better at holding tension? I'm also keen to the fact that it can give me an old school sound. I just need to know for sure that it's true that they hold better!
 
#4
Congrats on the first post and welcome!

Along with what @MattyBass said, take a look at Kalium Strings (formerly Circle K IIRC). They make balanced sets of strings specific to the tuning you use, scale length, etc.

I have a hybrid set (stainless steel and nickel combo roundwound) on my Bongo 5 tuned to EADGC. They feel and sound great, so they may fit your needs for a down tuned BEAD set. There are other companies that make balanced sets as well; I'm sure others will chime in with them.

Regarding flat wounds and tension: I don't know about keeping tension better (may very well be, I just don't know), but they can prevent fretwear since they are easier on the fret than roundwounds.

Good luck and happy jamming!
 
#6
Congratulations for your first post.
Unfortunately you did it in the double bass forum. (I'm sure this was by accident.)

There are two big main forums on Talkbass, bass guitar and double bass (including EUBs). Check before posting, that it will go into the right side of Talkbass, since many subforums have the same name but refer to one or the other side.
 
#9
Probably, the OP has a Sire V7, not M7. M7's hit the streets in about 2 weeks.

A good place to check would be the Sire Bass Club! thread, on the electric bass side of TB. I have a Sire V7 but I am not a detuner-- I use a 5-string when I need lower notes-- but there are a lot of Sire players who post there that do all sorts of things I don't do. I am not that kind of bass player! lol
 

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