Seven String Bass Tuning

[Fatalistic]

Now, this is a question I thought I had the answer to. I just want to check after a double-take at the Conklin 7-string string sets gauges.

The tuning for seven string bass... is F#BEADGC, right? And not BEADGCF?

'Cause if I really decide to go for a seven stringer and spend my days learning it... I need to know what strings to order.

 

[Rockin Mike]

I guess you could do it either way.

There may be a difference in the tension on the neck.
Check with the manufacturer to see what the bass is made for.

 

[Ed Goode]

Those are the two most common tunings, with the BEADGCF being likely the most popular. But extended range guys do all sorts of different configurations, a lot of the standard "tune-in-4th" rules go out the window with 7+ string basses ...

Also, most 7's do not have tension issues regardless of tuning, unless you're trying to do something very strange the basses will likely handle different tunings quite well (assuming you have a decent bass to begin with) ....

 

[bassteban]

I tuned my 7 BEADGCF but if I ever get another(sold it- it was fretless & I couldn't hang)I would probably occasionally go BEADGBE- so as to mimic a *standard* guitar's tuning, to facillitate chords in the higher registers. Bottom line, tune however you like- there are probably strings in just the right gauge for whatever you might want.

 

[Fatalistic]

I always thought the tuning of the seven string was F#BEADGC... so that's how I would like it; with the F# to be extra low and chaotic.
It's a good thing to know that if I decide I don't like the tuning, I can get it readjusted to the higher tuning.

 

[throbgod13]

understand that if you tune down to F#, you really have to have a rig that's capable of it..

the Conklin Bill Dickens GrooveTools has a Bart preamp that has a internal setting to go to F#..

 

[MNAirHead]

B is about the limit for most gear...

I endded up buying now amps/pa to work with a B... would have been a ton more work to then drop it down to F#

 

[bassbenj]

understand that if you tune down to F#, you really have to have a rig that's capable of it..

the Conklin Bill Dickens GrooveTools has a Bart preamp that has a internal setting to go to F#..

I was going to say that my Bill Dickens has that internal setting so the bass is obviously designed for either low B or F#. I presume same goes for other Conklins. I've played some basses with a low F# string and I never found it useful. So I always string with Low B. Some folks do seem to like/use it, but I've never found much need for those few low notes below B either on a bass or on the piano. But the extended high end (once I get the hang of adding the top string into my scales) does seem very useful to me for certain things. (solos, chords etc.)

Although I haven't bought any new strings yet, this had me going because I didn't remember any F# strings last time I looked at conklin strings! And indeed, a quick check shows sizes about .020 to .130. in a slightly lighter and heavier gauge. Which is exactly the guages of my usual D'addario XL strings. And then looking closer I note that Conklin lists an individual F# string as .0150. So clearly they sell strings for both arrangements, but it seems the low B is the more popular one. With .130 as an F# string that would end up with a pretty light set IMHO.

For a minute there you guys had me going!

 

[Nephilymbass]

I'm way late on this one but I have a 7 and I tried stringing it f#-c. It just doesn't work well. The reason is if you have a high power cab. I use the ampeg 810. Itll sound ok to you but the average PA at your local club won't have the headroom and the low notes either fart out or are much quiter than your b string. I came to the conclusion that g# g and f# are very hard to distinguish from one another anyways. So I currently tune my 7 beadgcf but I will drop my b to A or even g# for some songs. I like this the most because Im two frets away from the range f an 8 string bass. If your jamming with 8 string guitar players just play the e string. It works well it sounds tighter. And using the low b for certain parts stand out awesomely

 

[TolerancEJ]

I have a Conklin Bill Dickens Groove Tools model, tuned as BEADGCF. If I ever pick up another 7-string, I will probably tune it as F#BEADGC.

 

[olarrian]

This really depends on the music your playing, but even playing really heavy(death metal ish) music I have never needed anything as low as an F#, I just wrote heavier music.

 

[spade2you]

I tune my fretless 7 to BEADGBE, mostly so I can use thicker strings for the high B and E to get it less nasal.

 

[dabedus]

The best source I've found, by far, is Circle K. They have gauges all the way up to .254 and scale lengths up to 40".

 

[dabedus]

BTW, in my experience, you'll need a scale length of 38" or longer to get a decent timbre and discernible pitch from a low F#. I have one on a 39" fretless.

 

[Jean Baudin]

BTW, in my experience, you'll need a scale length of 38" or longer to get a decent timbre and discernible pitch from a low F#. I have one on a 39" fretless.

I've had crystal clear, piano-like F#'s from 36", 35" and 34" scale.

 

[miiitch]

BEADGCF here.
can´t even go lower than C, because I installed a damper before the first fret (for tapping .. I do it all the time), but I don´t even feel the need to
using a 150Hz lowcut, there´s not much left of notes that low

17-25-35-55-75-95-120 for 35" scale length

 

[JAUQO III-X]

BTW, in my experience, you'll need a scale length of 38" or longer to get a decent timbre and discernible pitch from a low F#.

Not true at all.

I've had crystal clear, piano-like F#'s from 36", 35" and 34" scale.

Exactly.

 

[dabbler]

understand that if you tune down to F#, you really have to have a rig that's capable of it..

the Conklin Bill Dickens GrooveTools has a Bart preamp that has a internal setting to go to F#..

In principle, I agree with you. However, I could see value in tuning that way, not for the notes below the B, but for having access to the B farther up the neck ( iow, for playing across the neck).

For the record, I do not have, nor intend to get a 7 string.

 

[khutch]

There may be a difference in the tension on the neck.

It's an older comment, I know, but people keep saying this even today so I suppose it is worth repeating that tension is not an issue. Use string tension charts from D'Addario or Circle K and order strings to give you the string by string and total neck tension that you want. This is true no matter how many strings your bass has and no matter how you want to tune it. If you have a lot of strings or a really odd tuning then perhaps only Circle K makes the strings you would need, but chances are that Circle K does make them. People closer to the norm can likely get their strings from Bass Strings Online too.

Ken

 

[Larry G]

I tune my 5 string to the G#,C#,F#,B,E LOWEST TO HIGHEST, SABBATH TUNING. ANYTHING BELOW THE G# YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED AN AURAL EXCITER TO MAKE IT PUNCH AS THE G# I USE ALMOST FARTS AS IS AND ANY LOWER TUNING THE SPEAKERS IN MOST AMPS CAN'T DELIVER THE HZ FREQUENCY REQUIRED FOR THE NOTE TO SOUND. I HAVE BLOWN COUNTLESS SPEAKERS USING THIS TUNING BUT TAKE THE F#, FEEDBACK IT THROUGH THE AMP AND PRESS THE ON THE 3RD FRET E, LET IT KEEP FEEDING BACK AND LISTEN TO THE WHOOP WHOOP OF THE HELICOPTER LANDING IN YOUR HOUSE. TOUGH ON SPEAKERS THOUGH SO BE CAREFUL. IT GETS ENOUGH VIBRATION FROM THE CLASHING NOTES REVERBERATING I HAVE DISLODGED MIRRORS OFF WALLS AND CABINETS AS WELL. BUT NO SOUND LIKE THE POWER YOU CAN ACHIEVE WITH THE DETUNED TUNING OF SABBATH. The other good thing about this tuning is using it fretless and you are never out of tune playing some of your favorite covers without ever having to retune your bass in 99% of the bands out there. A few exceptions but for the majority it worked for me for over 40 years of playing my bass. Try this tuning sometime and post what you think. But use an aural exciter or active pick ups when trying it.