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Drop A Tuning Short Scale Bass

D

Deadhands

Guest
Jun 8, 2016
6
2
#1
Hi guys,

I've recently joined a new band where the tuning is ADAE. In my last band I use a short scale bass guitar because it was just a lot funnier to play on stage. I've just had a go at down tuning it which currently has some 100-45 strings in and the lower strings just sounds a mess. I've looked up some 115-65 gauge but from what I can tell from forums is that a short scale bass reduces your chances of being able to drop down lower regardless of string gauge, anyone able recommend if it's worth spending the £20 to see if it works better or is it just worth using my normal scale bass?

Cheers
 
#3
Deadhands said:
Hi guys,

I've recently joined a new band where the tuning is ADAE. In my last band I use a short scale bass guitar because it was just a lot funnier to play on stage. I've just had a go at down tuning it which currently has some 100-45 strings in and the lower strings just sounds a mess. I've looked up some 115-65 gauge but from what I can tell from forums is that a short scale bass reduces your chances of being able to drop down lower regardless of string gauge, anyone able recommend if it's worth spending the £20 to see if it works better or is it just worth using my normal scale bass?

Cheers
Click to expand...
Chances are, you are gonna want to go with a 5 string short scale set and just junk the "G" string. Even .135 on a regular scale bass in Drop A can be a little flubby so less than that on a short scale bass may be close to unplayable.
 
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Reactions: lz4005, Atshen and Killed_by_Death
#5
Deadhands said:
Cheers guys will give that a bash, you find much muddiness on that gauge by any chance?
Click to expand...
On my 34" I get by with a .135 but I prefer a .145T D'Addario ProSteel for extra tightness and definition. You shouldn't have too much of an issue with a set of .135, .105, .085 and .065. Also, Kalium Strings makes custom gauge strings so you can get much closer to a balanced set but you will pay a bit of a premium. If I didn't change strings 2 times a month, I would stick with them!
 
#8
Scrap that, read into it more and it's long scale only, I'm thinking it might just be worth knocking this idea on the head and stick to my standard bass, as heavy as it is and will be a ball ache to play live it sounds awesome
 
#9
Killed_by_Death said:
Just use the String Tension Pro.
Plug in values from what you're used to in E Standard, check what the tension is.
Plug in your scale length and tuning into the setup again, and adjust the string diameter until you get to a tension close to what it was in E Standard.

0.160" is as thin as I would go for A on a 30" scale.
Click to expand...


Is that the one on the D'addirio website dude?
 
#11
Deadhands said:
Scrap that, read into it more and it's long scale only, I'm thinking it might just be worth knocking this idea on the head and stick to my standard bass, as heavy as it is and will be a ball ache to play live it sounds awesome
Click to expand...

I think the long scale will work better for what you want to do, but Kalium does make super thick strings that will fit a 30" scale. I believe they're filed under guitar strings, but they're available in sizes up to and beyond .175.
If you email or call them they'll hook you up with what you want. If you decide to go that way.
 
#12
i currently tune AGCF on a standard 34 scare 4 string bass. i use a pog to get the higher octave in there and it sounds massive. im using light gauge strings and have really come to love the setup. good luck!
 
#13
Is Circle K still around? They could sell you a custom set for drop A tuning. I was having wrist problems a while back, and thought about switching to a short scale. Someone told me they had tuned to C# without issue.
 
#14
higain617 said:
Is Circle K still around? They could sell you a custom set for drop A tuning. I was having wrist problems a while back, and thought about switching to a short scale. Someone told me they had tuned to C# without issue.
Click to expand...
yep, they just rebranded as Kalium :) Link Removed owner moved down to either Colorado or Oregon (can't remember) but they were made here in Kenmore WA for years
 
#18
I drop my fiver all a whole step and the tension is lovely. Its just the standard Ernie ball 5 string set you could nix the G and trim em for you shorty. I do it all the time cause I love Ernie balls and shorties. Some guys say nay but ive never broken a string or had damage to the tuners or anything
Didn't see if anyone brought this up but you may need to get your nut filed down a bit
 

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