New Bass - New Tuning

[dru_nasty]

For years I've played a 5 string tuned to C#G#C#F#A# which directly matched my guitar players tuning C#G#C#F#A#D#.

This was all I knew since I was originally a guitar player who switched to play bass for a band.

I recently had my bass stolen and just picked up a new 5 string which I took to get set up at my local luthier and when I told him the tuning he looked at me like I was crazy and that would ruin my neck, truss, etc.

At first I said that's how I've played it, just do it, but after thinking about it he's absolutely right. I need to change my tuning and my style.

So I'd like to know everyones opinion on what I should do:

1) Keep it standard B E A D G and transpose everything I've written to a new pattern

2) Try a G#C#G#C#F# which would keep most of it the same just adding the lower octaves option

3) Return this 5'er for a 4 string and just drop tune it.

We play heavy rock music as a 3 piece and rely on my very low end for a thick sound. We have about 2 full length albums of material I don't really want to relearn in different patterns. I'd like to play along with my guitar player as much as possible.

Suggestions?

 

[rockstarbassist]

Your tech is wrong, first off. It will not ruin your instrument.

If you're playing stuff in that dropped tuning, chances are you're gonna have a lot of hammer offs, ons, etc which can be difficult if it's fast enough to "just transpose". There's a reason some music is written in the key/tuning it is. And especially if you've already written a lot of music and know it in those keys, why do the extra work? You're not less of a guy. Alternate tunings are one of the main reasons I still play bass in the first place. Is fun to experiment.

I would go with your 2nd option. A low G# isn't that bad added to your drop C# tuning. With the right setup and strings, it will sound amazing.

Even if you went for your 3rd option and got a 4, wouldn't you still use the same drop C# tuning? We are in drop C and I just recorded a few songs on a 4 string, which obviously meant I didn't have all the low B (or low A in my case) notes and the track really suffered so I'm going back in with a 5 to redo it, so I understand your concern about your tunes missing that massive low end.

 

[RNV]

I play in drop C and tuning your 5er to standard and transposing would be a nightmare to play because you most likely rely on you B string being tuned to C so you won't have to fret it. I play a 4 banger tuned to drop C and have since I bough it new years ago.

 

[dru_nasty]

Good call, he must be suffering from dementia because he had set up my old bass with that tuning in the past.

And yes, we do a lot of open note playing so I agree the standard would be a pain to work with. I'm going to play around with that low G# tuning tonight to see how I like it.

Thanks for the input.

 

[genericusername]

Tune it the way you always do. If you're worried about the neck, etc., get a custom stringset from circle k strings or somewhere so that all the strings have roughly the same tension (or more on the higher strings, etc.) in the tuning you like.

 

[dru_nasty]

@RNV that's definitely my plan (go to a 4) if I'm not feeling the low G# tuning.

 

[dru_nasty]

@genericusername I was thinking that, but I'm definitely open to the option of experimenting, I think for future writing the lower octave can open up some new things for our sound.

 

[rockstarbassist]

By the way, what 5'er did you get?

 

[tdub0199]

Your tech must be old fashion....

 

[dru_nasty]

Got an Ibanez SR 505, used to have a 645 but that was stolen.

I guess my tech is old fashioned haha. With that weird tuning my action was set a little higher than I'd like, because there was so much tension on the neck. So hopefully with the new tuning It'll be a little easier to play.

 

[tdub0199]

If anything, there should be less tension on your neck because you are in a drop tuning right?.....

 

[rockstarbassist]

If anything, there should be less tension on your neck because you are in a drop tuning right?.....

Depends on the strings. Heavier strings even tuned down can still have above average tension.

This is the "trick" w/ the DR DDT's, IIRC. Even dropped down to D standard (just 1 full step down) they were like playing pieces of steel. No bend, feel, etc.. They aren't meant to be played in standard and it shows.

But CK's fixed that so it's no biggie.

However, with your standard medium .105 set tuned down, generally your statement would I believe apply.

 

[dru_nasty]

@tdub0199 Right, but in my old tuning C#G#C#F#A# that was pulling some of my strings 2 full steps up. May not have been an issue, I have no clue about setting up basses.

 

[rockstarbassist]

@tdub0199 Right, but in my old tuning C#G#C#F#A# that was pulling some of my strings 2 full steps up. May not have been an issue, I have no clue about setting up basses.

I meant to ask if you were tuning up.
Yes, that is going to wreck some havoc lol. That would be unplayable for me.

 

[dru_nasty]

Hahah I now see how wack that tuning was for a bass. I'm excited to experiment with the new tuning. I'll report back so if anything it may help the next person w/ tuning woes.

 

[tdub0199]

@tdub0199 Right, but in my old tuning C#G#C#F#A# that was pulling some of my strings 2 full steps up. May not have been an issue, I have no clue about setting up basses.

Now your tech may have been right if you are tuning two full steps ^up^ from standard..... That may cause some issues with your neck/truss rod..... That's a whole different ballgame....

 

[rockstarbassist]

Now your tech may have been right if you are tuning two full steps ^up^ from standard..... That may cause some issues with your neck/truss rod..... That's a whole different ballgame....

THIS.

 

[ixlramp]

when I told him the tuning he looked at me like I was crazy and that would ruin my neck, truss, etc.

At first I said that's how I've played it, just do it, but after thinking about it he's absolutely right. I need to change my tuning and my style.

No you don't! He was just reacting to the idea of using a standard string set for that tuning
You can tune either C#G#C#F#A# or G#C#G#C#F# successfully, but not with a standard string set. As long as you carefully choose the gauge for each string and build a custom set from single strings you can have even and comfortable tension. Just choose the tuning first and we can help you with choosing gauges.
Your luthier should have suggested a custom set for your tuning.
To avoid disappointment with that low G# try at least a .145 or .150 single string, anything less results in poor tone and playability.
I recommend keeping your 5 string, since you played a 5 before, there's no good reason to go to 4.

 

[dru_nasty]

I'm playing around in this G#C#G#C#F# tuning and it's a bit strange to me.
I'd still have to transpose some of our songs or i wouldn't really use that 5th string at all.
We play a lot of open C# and I really don't want to have to hit that 5th fret on the 5th string all the time (even though it sounds ballsy as hell).

I agree I'll need to get some different gauges, I normally played Ernie Ball .130 - .45.
It'd be nice to have a .130 for my 4th string and the .150 for my 5th.

Any body have any other tuning suggestions to try out while I'm ****ing around?

 

[darkstorm]

Use your tuning and just use appropriate gauge strings for that. Might need new nut depending on gauges used.