New to Bass...

It won't exactly damage your bass, but it's definitely not good for it. I would get one bass for E tuning, and another bass for C tuning (both with different string gauges, of course). If you're on a budget, whichever tuning you use the least should probably be the cheaper bass... So if you use C standard tuning less than you use E standard tuning, I would suggest that your C tuned bass would be the cheaper one (again, if you're on a budget). For the E tuned bass, get a set of standard gauge strings (obviously), and for the C tuned bass, file the nut a little, get a set of (I would go for light gauge) BEAD strings, and tune it up a step to C.

Btw, welcome to TB!

Hope I helped and good luck!

 

+1000

 

Or you could just get a 5 string bass

 

apart from floppy strings when downtuned, this will be fine.

Sounds to me like you'll tune to C, record a few songs, then return to E for a few months?

If you were doing it every week then you might have problems, but the way you describe it I doubt it will cause problems.

 

Do you use the G string? Do you need it? Maybe you can just get 1 4string bass, but tune it BEAD...

Just a thought.

 

Ah, I see. But you probably will be using it if you intend on doing some slapping.

 

Well, think about it... but there's also this:



It's a pitch-shifter (if you didn't know that already). But I don't know how low it will go... or how high it will go... but I wan't one cuz I switch between E and Eb alot. I've heard it's pretty good... Check it out!

 

Get a 5-string and a big capo.

 

What about a drop shot tuner, maybe that would help?

edit: sorry, I was referring to the hipshot d.

 

I would suggest a used Ibanez Soundgear SR505, it has about the thinnest neck available on a production 5 string, and would be an easier transition to bass for a guitarist. Having two separate basses for occasional tuning changes sounds like a pain to me. I think the concern about damaging the bass with retuning is exaggerated. I used to tune down to drop D on my G&L all the time with no bad effects. The Hipshot D tuner works quite well also. If you don't want a 5 string, just get a good solid bass, retune as needed, and don't worry about it. The Squire basses are an excellent value, and in the unlikely event you damage it you are only into it for $2-300.

 

Tuning a five string up half a step wont do any damage. If you are worried then buy a lighter guage 5 string set. Dont worry about the slap..... It sucks anyway.

 

I would say buy a used Squier Jag for under $100 and buy a used five string for $100. (You can re-sell the five string without losing any cash if it doesn't work out for you)
You can detune an existing bass of course, but it's not quite the same as owning a dedicated 5 string bass. I know, I've tried to live with it myself. Even have a bass with a built in D-tuner.
I slap a lot and only recently found a fiver that I can live with - I've tried quite a few but a Peavey Grind 5 works well for me.

 

I'd question dropping a Jag which if I'm not mistaken is already a short scale, down to a low C. Just speculating, but I'd guess it would get floppy in a hurry. I'd want a longer scale bass for that. Of course, it's probably beyond the budget but I like Warwicks for drop tuning since they have the adjustable bridge AND nut. You can get strings specifically for drop tuning as well, but that's an added expense. I definitely would have 2 basses for the situation you describe. Retuning a bass with that extreme of a drop is going to have an effect on how it plays, let alone potentially causing issues down the road. It's not quite as easy as dropping a guitars E string down to D for a song or 2 then tuning it back up.

My 2 cents, FWIW, which ain't much.

 

Oh and a 5er isnt a bad idea, but if I'm playing hard ass music with guitars who are tuned to C, I prefer to have a 4 stringer tuned to C as well so I can follow visually if I need to. With a 5 string tuned to B, that complicates the process. Not a big deal if the guys you play with know what they're playing, but I've played with a lot of hardcore and metal guys and said, "ok, what's the progression?" and they look at me like I have 3 heads. Then they play the riff really loud and go, "it's like that." Thanks guy. Real helpful.

 

I don't know what Jaguar you played, but I would stay away from the short scale version. I don't have a lot of experience with SS basses, but I can't imagine they take detuning well.