for drop c: tune the E string 2 full steps down and the other strings one full step down. for full c: tune everything down 2 steps. my band plays in drop c sometimes, gotta nice fat tone if ya play with ur fingers, i find that with a pick all ya hear mainly is a "clack clack clack..." maybe its my eq's, who knoes?
you need a 36' scaler. but anyway. first drop D (tune the seventh fret of the E string to the open A) then tune the rest of the strings as if you were tuning standard-ly . after you've done that (drop everything a whole step down) tune the seventh string of the (now) D string to an open (now) G string. there you have it as if it was standard tuning with the E dropped to D. the difference is that NOW it's drop a whole step down.
- lower action on the bass - get real thin 5-string-set ( .115 ) - put bead strings on your bass. - tune UP to C, this will automaticly raise the action, as the neck bends over a tiny bit We ( friend + me ) did this on an ESH stinger, and it rocks.
Not really drop c, but if you really want something else, try tuning in 5ths (7 half-steps)from c; cgda
So you're saying it's C-G-C-F? If this is the case I would use a set of heavy EADG 4-strings, or else a set of medium BEADG 5-strings. With the 5-string set, eliminate the E string and use the B in its place. Going up a half step (tuning the B to C) is not going to affect the tension that much, and most B strings are lower tension than the rest of the set anyway.
i play in a "drop-C#" band i use this tunning: C# F# B E to get a decent tone and feel on a detuned bass like this: -35' or more scale -Raise action -Heavier strings -Fingers i also use effects... i use one that i made myself to eliminate all the "Click, Clack" you mention... drop the highs on your EQ too...
I play my G&L El Toro C-F-A#-D# I had to adjust the setup and re intonate as well but it sounds great. I use the low strings from various 5 string sets as I'm still experimenting. I also play a fretless 4 string Stinger tuned B-E-A-D. The fretlines are completely inaccurate(I had to get them b/c it was defretted). The bridge needed to be widened in several respects w/ a drill press to accomodate the 5 string gauges. Sometimes i play it in slack tuning(ultra low) for bluegrass or Drum&Bass. Sounds good but is suffers like M. J., too many facelifts. -I'm always mangling some piece of gear, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
Cello tunings, huh...I tried that when I was first playing bass cuz I use to and still play cello, but have since learned how to play bass with the traditional tunings...I guess it could be viola tunings too.
I stopped playing cello a year before starting to play bass ( i had played for 6 years ). and i think viola tuning is different , but i'm not sure
I dont think you need 35" scale or anything like that. You can use this tuning perfectly fine with a 34"er. I know they make 34" scale 5 string basses, and they are tuned even lower than C, so why not use that? I just recommend using at least a 120, preferably a 125 gauge for the C string. I think a 130 is perfect for B, and C is a half step above B so you subtract 5. 130 (B) - 5 (a half step) = 125 (C) Basically, what Im trying to say is you should use a 125 gauge string for your C. 115 will be way too floppy. 120 should be okay though. You will also need to reintonate and adjust your truss rod. I dont think the action needs to be changed though.
