need advice on buying 5 string pack for 4 string

[Hutzbordello]

so my guitarist loves to use different tunings all the time, which i have a love/hate relationship with. he wants me to buy a 5 string pack and throw away the lowest gauge string like most people do. the point of this is to play in drop b (b, f#, b, e).

can someone explain how i would play e standard songs with these strings, as well as other tunings?

thanks!

 

[testing1two]

Two better options: first, look up Circle K strings. They have gauges designed for this tuning and you don't have to throw away anything. Second, if you already have a particular string that you play, go to bassstringsonline.com and see if you can build a custom gauge set of that brand. It will tell you right on the website.

Just remember that putting those big strings on your bass is going to require some setup modifications (widening the nut slots, adjusting the truss rod for the added tension, string height, and intonation).

 

[testing1two]

can someone explain how i would play e standard songs with these strings, as well as other tunings?

Realistically you can't. If you're going to use strings for B tuning they won't tune up to standard and if you try to drop standard strings down to B they will flop around like wet noodles and sound terrible.

If you have to play in B tuning on a regular basis you'll need to set up a bass specifically for that purpose...or step up to a 5 string.

 

[Hutzbordello]

hey thanks for the advice, ill check out circle k. i hear a lot of good things about them around here.

if i get the circle k strings that are made for the tuning im looking for does not being able to play in standard also apply to these?

 

[lowfreq33]

You could probably play in B standard (BEAD). Your guitarist wants the drop tuning so he can play power chords with one finger. You're probably not playing chords. So you don't necessarily HAVE to be tuned the same as him, as long as you have the low B available.

 

[ixlramp]

Don't waste your money, build a custom set from singles optimised for your needs, here's a good place [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Circle K are also good for single strings .. no price penalty relative to sets.

For drop B in an emergency, buy a 5 string pack and discard the E not the G, this will almost balance the tensions in drop B. A and D strings in 'medium' sets are already very tight and will be extremely tight tuned up a tone in BF#BE.

However to do this properly, first figure out what tunings you will be using, then use these tension charts to choose gauges such that all strings stay within 30-50 pounds of tension (extra light to medium heavy) in all tunings:
http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
Link Removed
If you're unsure i can help you out.

EDIT If you go for circle k singles .. email Skip at CKS, he's happy to optimise the gauges for your range of tunings.

 

[Hutzbordello]

wow ok, thanks for the info. ill probably send you pm after i talk to my guitarist about it.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Hey man, look at '' http://www.pyramid-saiten.de/catalogue/katalog_12_eng.pdf ''. You can get very thick strings there for your four string : .130 for the E string. Otherwise you can order custom string gauges

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

can someone explain how i would play e standard songs with these strings, as well as other tunings?

thanks!

Exactly the same as you would in any tuning, your looking at fret numbers instead of notes. The notes do not change because you changed the tuning, you would just have to transpose the fingerings for all your songs into your new tuning. As long as your bass has the lowest note and the highest note that you need, the songs are played exactly the same, just different fingerings.

As stated earlier, you do not have to play in the same tuning as the guitar player, but if your doubling lots of open string riffs it will make it a lot easier. I bet this guitar player hits a lot of open strings.

 

[matante]

I don't see why you would need to change your tuning just because the guitarist does. You don't even need a lower B.

 

[tylerwylie]

Don't waste your money, build a custom set from singles optimised for your needs, here's a good place [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Circle K are also good for single strings .. no price penalty relative to sets.

For drop B in an emergency, buy a 5 string pack and discard the E not the G, this will almost balance the tensions in drop B. A and D strings in 'medium' sets are already very tight and will be extremely tight tuned up a tone in BF#BE.

However to do this properly, first figure out what tunings you will be using, then use these tension charts to choose gauges such that all strings stay within 30-50 pounds of tension (extra light to medium heavy) in all tunings:
http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
Link Removed
If you're unsure i can help you out.

EDIT If you go for circle k singles .. email Skip at CKS, he's happy to optimise the gauges for your range of tunings.

This man speaks the truth.