My guitarist keeps down tuning

[Ric5]

Hey guys, I would love to hear what you all think about this.
I am a 5 string player, and I have been for most of the time that I've played bass. when I joined my current band about 2 years ago, my guitarist played in drop Bb on a six string guitar. I suggested that he should get a 7 string and play in drop A, I told him that his strings wouldn't be as floppy and its only a half step lower. After rejecting this theory for months he finally decided to go with a 7 and we changed our tuning to drop A.
Now hes tuning his low B down as far as he can. He claims he wants an 8 string, and to play in E. I keep trying to explain to him that I cant go that low. I keep telling him that the E he wants to go to is the lowest note on a four string bass. He keeps saying "play the octave" but then I wouldn't ever have any use for my B string, so I'd pretty much end up having to buy a four string. His upgrade will force me to downgrade.
What do you guys think?

With an 8 string guitar you really don't need a bass.

Or get a 6 string bass and play an octave higher than he does

 

[Demon_Hunter]

Everyone should just play bass, no more guitars in bands!!!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Depth_Charge]

That's not really the point though. Why didn't this guitarist sit down with the band, and discuss what he wanted to do, and why?

Maybe because he was bullied by the bass player (OP) to change what he was doing in the first place??? The OP did admit to spending months "convincing him" it was the "right thing to do" in his opening post.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the guitarists' passive-aggressive way of getting back at the guy, for forcing him off "his thing" in the first place? Ya'll didn't consider that?

 

[IPYF]

Maybe, just maybe, this is the guitarists' passive-aggressive way of getting back at the guy, for forcing him off "his thing" in the first place? Ya'll didn't consider that?

This problem was related to a communication breakdown. It happens in many good bands.

The OP has indicated that the band have come to an inclusive agreement (the guitarist has consented to stay in his current tuning) so hopefully everything works out for the best for them.
When it comes to band business it always pays to be as transparent as possible.

 

[Ian_Flash]

Your guitarist should get a set of Synth bass pedals, or just get a good Octave Divider effect or Harmonizer. Maybe you can get him a pair of Knee Cymbals and a Harmonica Neck Holder. If he practices, he can also learn to play Kazoo thru his BUTT!

 

[modulus763]

Dingwall just made a bass for Nolly Getgood (Periphery) with a low F#...You need a super long scale to get a good sound when tuning that low..The 37" scale of the Dingwall is perfect for this application. I routinely/occasionally tune down to G# to play Staind songs and my Dingwall Combustion still rings like a bell. IMHO

 

[remainthesame]

Maybe because he was bullied by the bass player (OP) to change what he was doing in the first place??? The OP did admit to spending months "convincing him" it was the "right thing to do" in his opening post.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the guitarists' passive-aggressive way of getting back at the guy, for forcing him off "his thing" in the first place? Ya'll didn't consider that?

i did not bully him at all. and i never said it was the "right" thing. HE complained to me about how floppy his strings were but how he didnt want to go to A. i told him if he wants the flop to go away then he should get a 7 string and move down a half step from the original tuning (Bb)

 

[remainthesame]

either way. this thread is getting out of hand. i solved my problem like 5 pages ago. this thread is over.

 

[Stumbo]

I think the guitarist should play standard tuning and use an Octave Pedal. Then you can do the same for your bass. Then pickup a couple of fEARful 151566's and 2k watts and have at it. Just keep turning the volume up until they tell you to turn down. Then negotiate from there as to what's best for the band.

 

[Depth_Charge]

i did not bully him at all. and i never said it was the "right" thing. HE complained to me about how floppy his strings were but how he didnt want to go to A. i told him if he wants the flop to go away then he should get a 7 string and move down a half step from the original tuning (Bb)

Sorry bud. I got "bullying" from the "spent months convincing him" as described in your OP. Since there was also no reference to him asking about string flopiness, I presumed you were telling him. My bad. No hard feelings I hope. Here's what I'm referring to, in case you forgot:

I suggested that he should get a 7 string and play in drop A, I told him that his strings wouldn't be as floppy and its only a half step lower. After rejecting this theory for months he finally decided to go with a 7 and we changed our tuning to drop A.

I guess it doesn't matter and, as you say, its all sorted now. Thread over. Good news. Best of luck with the band

 

[MarkMgibson]

Well, I hope the OP has worked things out with his guitarist, and I wish them the best. In my experience, as soon as any band member starts going off their own musical tangent without consulting the rest of the band, there's only one foreseeable outcome - complete disaster.