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F# B E A D Question????

rgarcia26

rgarcia26

Jun 9, 2008
787
7
Miami Florida
#1
I got an 5's BEADG and a four EADG... I never play the G I don’t care for high frequencies on a bass... so I am thinking on changing my 4's to BEAD, but i am also thinking on changing my 5's.... to F#BEAD... now here is my question: what kind on music usually plays that low???

I play with a piano and drums nothing else… no metal or anything… but I like to play low…. There any sound samples that I can listen out there?
Thank you Guys

Ps my gear is an 4’s G&L 2000e series
And 5’s G&L 2500 tribune all are 34”

I am pretty handy so new nut not a problem….
 
#2
rgarcia26 said:
i am also thinking on changing my 5's.... to F#BEAD... now here is my question: what kind on music usually plays that low???
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It's really not about what kind of music utilize such low bass notes, it all comes down to the individual with the bass and that individuals vision and note choices.


That tuning can be used in every genre of music there is (and no I'm not being sarcastic).


Just like you said that you don't use the G string on your bass, Just be yourself and if you feel the need to hit a extra low note just go right ahead.
 
#4
Big +1 to what Jauqo said. If you don't want to use the G string then the music you make won't use it. Since you asked for examples, there are a few MMW songs where Chris Wood barely touches the G string. It's pretty low on the neck so you could get away with playing higher on the D.

Medeski Martin and Wood - Uninvisible - YouTube

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With whichever bass you choose it would be in your best interest to get a 35" scale so the low B and F# have enough tension. If your L2500 isn't cutting it you can find used Yamaha 5 strings very inexpensively and they're real gems. My TRB5-II was a 35" scale and I got it for less than a quarter of the new price by buying used. The nut is an easy fix if you have a file. As for the strings themselves, you can buy a 5 string set and sell/trade the G in for the low F#.

Good luck!
 
#8
#9
rgarcia26 said:
what kind on music usually plays that low???
Click to expand...

Modern metal (currently called "Djent") has been going the way of 8-strings for a while.

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A lot of kids are trying to go the way of F# (or even E). I might be getting old or something... but I don't see F# having much tone (does anyone have clips of their ~F# range sounding awesome?). It already takes a lot to have a really clear B.
 
#10
rgarcia26 said:
what kind on music usually plays that low???
Click to expand...

Modern metal (currently called "Djent") has been going the way of 8-strings for a while.

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A lot of kids are trying to use F# (or even E). I might be getting old or something... but I don't see F# having much tone (does anyone have clips of their ~F# range sounding awesome?). It already takes a lot to have a really clear B.

That Vampire clip is horrible... is the bass even plugged in?
 
#13
I am guessing that for a 34” the F# have to be very thick, just like the B have to be thick to compensate for the short scale… now I am not looking for a new bass… even when is nice to get me new toy I can justify it…. What gouge should I look for?
Over all do you think is a good idea 34” and low F#
 
#14
Go on YouTube and watch Jauqo's videos to see how super low tunings can be used in really ANY musical setting. I was shocked the first time I heard his material, so unique cuz you wouldn't expect the super-sub bass, and you wouldn't expect to actually hear it. But its good stuff.

I thought for a long time that to play metal you had to be downtuned, to play alt/grundge you had to be down half a step, and to play normal or popular music you had to have standard tuning. Years later, I found that its all in your positioning... you can play a high-tuned piccolo bass in a metal band or a super-drop tuned bass in a salsa band. Jauqo is really the expert when it comes to this, search TB for his posts and guides and you'll learn a ton.

Also drop tune questions come up fairly often so you can probably find lots of other good discussions that went down on this site in the last few years.

I was tempted to try to go down to F#, but I feel like I'd need alot more amp and speakers to start playing in that range. And I play in more traditional guitar/drum/bass bands, and found my tone in the "traditional" bass frequencies. If you're doing more experimental music then I say go for it!
 
#16
Byron Stroud of Fear Factory used a F# tuning on their most recent album, Mechanize. He said in some Bassplayer interview that he used a .175 for the low F#. Other than that I haven't seen or heard many other make use of such low frequencies.

If you're up for it then go for it.

-Alex
 
#17
rgarcia26 said:
R u sayin???

200 5 String 34 to 35 Scale Length Balanced

Price: $67.00

.200 .150 .112 .082 .061
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Precisely. The Circle K strings are fantastic and you wont have any flop with that gauge.

Out of curiosity, what strings and gauges do you typically use for EADG tuning? I can try to make a more accurate suggestion so that the strings feel closer to what you already use.
 
#18
FunkMetalBass said:
Precisely. The Circle K strings are fantastic and you wont have any flop.

Out of curiosity, what strings and gauges do you typically use for EADG tuning?
Click to expand...

I have no idea I use DR its being a while since I change mines (I may have the box back at home)...I always try to use mediums not heavy or lights… my low B is a little floppy nothing serious but a Lakeland would feel better…for my next set I should get something heavier to get a better tome out of the B, there are lots of threads about that
 
#19
Thanks Toastfuzz.

For some to get an idea of a bass with a low F# and low C# string) check out some of the sound bites from my cd The Low C# theory.

Disclaimer.

I am not trying to sell this cd in this post, only offering the link for reference purposes in how it relates to the original op's question.

I used a Adler fretless sub contra bass (C# F# B E).

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#20
rgarcia26 said:
I have no idea I use DR its being a while since I change mines (I may have the box back at home)...I always try to use mediums not heavy or lights… my low B is a little floppy nothing serious but a Lakeland would feel better…for my next set I should get something heavier to get a better tome out of the B, there are lots of threads about that
Click to expand...

Then either the .190 or .200 set will work you just fine. The E-string will be about the same tension and feel, but the B and F# strings will feel better (their tension will be about the same as the E-string).
 

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