Help with 4 string tuned to C standard

[Gobs]

So, I recently started playing with some folks in a doom band and they play in C standard. I put some big strings (.55-.120) on my MIM P bass and tweaked the setup to accommodate. It sounds alright, for the most part - especially the open strings, but on the low C string, around frets 5-7 it sounds weak and hollow. I've adjusted my playing to play an open 'F' instead of the 5th fret on the C string, but I'd prefer if the tone was fuller on those fretted notes. The bass sounded great tuned to standard.

Is this just the shortcomings of my specific bass? Something that can be fixed? Shortcomings of a 34" scale bass in general? Any help/insight would be helpful. Please don't suggest getting a new bass, that's not in the cards right now. Thanks!

 

[JonathanPDX]

What exactly did you do to tweak the setup to accommodate the new strings and much lower tension? If one section of the fretboard is giving you trouble my first thought is that it needs additional adjustments. It may also be settling in to the new tension and require more babysitting until it gets used to it.

 

[Gobs]

I tightened the truss rod, raised the strings a tad, and adjusted the intonation, the nut slots were good to go (probably enlarge by a previous owner, I bought the bass used). I'm just going off of Fender specs for neck relief, etc.
It's been over a month, so I'm guessing it's settled into the new tension by now.

 

[Camaro69]

did you adjust the pickup height after you moved the strings?

 

[Gobs]

I tightened the truss rod, raised the strings a tad, and adjusted the intonation, the nut slots were good to go (probably enlarge by a previous owner, I bought the bass used). I'm just going off of Fender specs for neck relief, etc.
It's been over a month, so I'm guessing it's settled into the new tension by now.

oops, misspoke. i loosened the truss rod, not tightened.

 

[Gobs]

did you adjust the pickup height after you moved the strings?

i haven't really. was going to go after that next, it's just odd to me that it's only really happening on a couple of frets. could it just be a dead spot in the neck?

 

[Camaro69]

Maybe, but reset that height before you do anything else. You may have move the strings further away than you think

I don’t recall any that I’ve dropped to C having this issue

 

[MCS4]

It's either an issue with the setup or some slight quirk of that bass that didn't show itself with your prior setup, particularly since it is so isolated (i.e. just a few frets on one string). Possibly a slightly high fret or dead spot. I've tuned lots of basses and guitars to C standard or similar tunings with no problem. I guess there's at least a very small chance you have a defective string, or could ultimately experiment with a different line of strings to see if there is something that fixes the issue or suits you better for the tuning. I will say that I don't particularly prefer the sound of a P bass at C or lower, but that's personal preference rather than something that would cause a loss in power in a specific fret or note range.

If you think about it logically, plenty of people play five-string basses at 34" (although of course longer scales are preferred by some) with low Bs, so there is no particular reason for a low C at 34" to be inherently bad, provided that you don't expect it to perform the same as a string tuned to E instead.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Dunlop Heavy Core 55-120 rounds per chance ?
What strings did you replace?

 

[arakiri]

what do you mean weak and hollow? can u post sound clips? if the relief is measuring right you could raise the saddle a bit on that string to see if it improves, reccently i took my action too low and had what i thought were dead frets was solved by raising the action on that string. so i would try that and if that doesnt help, yea could be needing fretwork

 

[Ondoval]

Tuning low will do this to the lowest string IME. The lower you go the less articulate the lowest string will get. The degree to which this happens will vary with strings, neck scale, set up etc, but some loss of clarity is to be expected. It might not be a problem in a band setting/mix tho, assuming lots of dirt and general mayhem.

 

[CletusMarley]

In my experience, some basses just sound better than others when tuned way down. My BB434 turns to mush any lower than D standard. I really wish it liked C standard or even C#. lol. So my main P bass is my C standard bass. Definitely make sure you are set up properly to deal with the big strings. Make sure your action isnt too low. All that good stuff. I definitely agree with what @Ondoval said. I play in my bedroom so im not dealing with a mix or other band members so ymmv. Good luck man!

 

[mikeswals]

What amp are you playing through?