octave pedal vs detuning

I'd just play with either an octave pedal or in the regular 4-string octaves/range. That's me though. I was in a screamo metal band with a 4-string that had a Hipshot X-Tender (D-Tuner) although the guitarist tuned quite a bit lower. I just played it in the octave I had available to me.

 

Have to disagree there. If that was true, my low B would be more or less the same as one octave above (or mud, which it is not). The reason you get a rumbling instead of proper bass notes when you tune down is most probably that there isn't enough tension in the strings for clarity.
If you can buy a 5 string, that's the best solution. Second best would be a good octave pedal, but you can't be sure if it will work for you until you actually try it in the band. The 5 string will definitely do it as it is meant to be done.

 

Mang, break the mould!!! - don't just cave in and do what every other industrial band on the planet is doing! That's boring and cliched beyond comprehension.

Not to mention that it sounds terrible when everyone is perpetually invading the bass players territory for an entire set. It's the Spinal Tap thing, when you're on ten on your guitar, and everything on your amp is up to ten, where do you go? Well, they went to eleven...

What I'm saying is, what if you decided that it would be cool to drop the riff an octave, but your starting point is C0? Where do you go? And if you go there, do elephants stampede?

Stick with what you've got, maybe get some killer distortion or something - do something left field rather than just tuning down because it's the done thing!

 

+1 for the string tension remark.

I'd say get a Digitech Whammy IV because of its versatility. When I'm in your situation I tend to use the -1 oct harmony mode so it both cuts and rumbles.

The keyboardist knows exactly what you'll sound like, but it'll keep the other frequencies less muddy -- the detuned guitars will be in the exact same range as your bass unless you're careful, so if you stay with what you're doing now you may just get lost anyway... Also, the keyboard is all over your range (depending on what he's doing). The Whammy harmony mode will work especially well here because when every one is in your range you can put your toe down (which puts you at a +1 octave harmony) and cut through everything.

 

I'm sure that the problem you're having is primarily string tension. However, what do you have for an amp? Or speakers? Some cabinets just don't cut it below E at band volume. I for one prefer my 5 string at this point but it sounds like you might be happier with an octave pedal.

 

well, if they're in your territory, why don't you go into their territory? get an EHX Bass Micro Synth or maybe a POG and go up, not down from where you are (or both)

 

Yeah, like people before have said, C below E-standard is very much audible, don't know where you got the notion that things would be otherwise... Furthermore, it's not a massive problem tuning down to C, just get a .120-gauge and you're set. Now, on the other hand, if you wanna keep your bass in E-standard tuning because that's where you're usually at, that's okay. Let them know. But don't make up excuses for it.

 

As others have mentioned... to combat the floppiness, use a higher guage.

Heck, this may be one of the few times where using a "B" string instead of an "E" on a 4-string would probably be okay.

Using a 5-string is easier, since to get a good "E", you wouldn't have to change out any strings.

 

...not to mention that a B will most probably not fit in the E nut slot.

 

True. You could cut a wider slot in the nut for a better fit, but then you'd need a new nut to go back to an E string...

 

not necessarily, I got away with it though I may change it eventually, if problems occur...

 

My 4 banger is tuned BEAD. I just cus winder slots for the strings. Which wasnt hard cus the nut is a POS

Works, though I like my SX jazz better

 

Daniel, where you been?

 

Hmm... true. It's probably better to cut it in a "V" shape to be able to get away with it. But I imagine it's more of a problem with a heavy attack (i.e., picks, slapping, etc.).

 

Anyway, to answer the original post: As changing strings is impractical due to other gigs, tuning down sounds like crap and you don't want to invest in another bass, a pedal is the only option if you want to play ball.

 

If you're in BEAD then why would you tune CGCF? You can cover what the band needs in that tuning, you just have straight 4ths instead of being in a drop.

I'd say stay in B and use the C on the low B when needed

Peace

-Benny

 

+1 on all that!