Some things that were originally played in drop tunings are hard to play, but i didn't find anything unplayable so far. In my opinion it's better than downtuning
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Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out
- Thread starter Korladis
- Start date
Some things you might have to transpose a little, but it's not an issue. I've sometimes dropped my B and E down a step.
That's why I have a 5 and a 6 stringer to bolster my herd of 4 stringers. I got sick of downtuning, then got sick of buying d-tuners for each bass, so I made the leap and never looked back. The other advantage of extended range is that you don't have to refactor any sheet music of tabs that you get you come across
Sounds like a 5 string would be a good idea to me.... As mentioned above, some of the drop tuning stuff can get kind of weird, but really, its fine. I play in drop A these days and its largely been a non issue.
I got a chance to try the Al Cisneros Ric today. Luckily for my bank account, it doesn't suit my playing style. I could probably make it work if I took the pickup covers off, but I'd hate to alter it at all if I did buy it. With the covers on it (obviously) demands to be played with his sort of right hand position. Other than the right hand position, I thought it sounded and played great. I also don't think I could get a Ric that doesn't have the two channel output.
If I was a collector I probably would've bought it, but I'm really only interested in having instruments I'm going to play.
If I was a collector I probably would've bought it, but I'm really only interested in having instruments I'm going to play.
My personal preference for a B string or lower is 35" scale, which isn't common on a 4 string. On the other side, you will rarely need the high string in these genres.
I fought with it for a long time.
I'm all in on five strings so I'm biased in favor of the fivers. I'm loving my Ibanez SRMS805.
I want to go to there... Where'd you find it?
Reguarding 5's, I played them exclusively for a while and dig them (MIA P-Bass). I was always able to fret the notes fine, but got into dropping my B or E strings. When I went to record, the parts would just lock better if I was matching the same hand pattern as the guitarist, using open strings, hammer ons, and pull offs. Around that time, I also started using a pick and doing mostly downstrokes for the same reason: When I matched the guitars, it was just fatter and more in synch. Honestly, I don't enjoy playing with a pic nearly as much, but the results were better.
While I have a 5 and 6 (which I truly love), I've been super focused on doing as much as I can with 4 strings with my current project. I'm loving it! That said, I also have a solo thing for which I'll use my 6 string and synths. I'd like to eventually add a drummer, but that's still in the hopper.
Would standard long scale strings work with a 35" scale bass? That was my only concern with a five stringer...
I believe so. Although I think I had to use d'Addario XLs on a 35. I know regular old DR Hi Beams work fine on my Spector Euro 5xl which is 35" scale.
Precisely why I bought one many years ago. No regrets here. Though I now have a 5, a 4 dropped 1 step, and a 6. I find that they often all get into different tunings. I hate changing tunings for a single song or whatever. Overall, the 5 in standard is my main player.
Oh good because I have a load of Fat Beams that I didn't want to go to waste.
Fat Beams on a 5 would be very stiff if you are tuning to BEADG. Or at least it would feel stiff to me.
35 scale adds a little more tension.
I have a ESP/LTD TA600 that is 35" scale. Regular .105 Hex core strings tuned to E feel stiff to me.
That may be personal preference.
My number 1 has been my SR5 since I bought it new on ‘01.
I have had so many different 4s over the years come and go and kind of kick myself for getting so accustomed to the 5. If I had it to do over again I would have made 4s my main thing.
Well, Hartman is blowing out a bunch of what I assume is old DOD stock. Got a new 440 Envelope Filter arriving soon...
Can’t get enough DOD and I have a soft spot for filters, too. Slowly getting all of the old DOD reissues and new things. Hopefully, they blow out a few other pedals soon too!
Can’t get enough DOD and I have a soft spot for filters, too. Slowly getting all of the old DOD reissues and new things. Hopefully, they blow out a few other pedals soon too!
I thought they were hex and that's why they are so stiff. Maybe it is the winding.
