Strong basses for low tunings

[Anonymous7]

I want a four string tuned F#0 B0 E1 A1 for subterranean levels of low, but I'm most concerned about tension on the neck, do you guys now of any bass strong enough to handle it?

 

[Nev375]

Usually the lower tunings result in less tension.

 

[Anonymous7]

Not with .185-.105 guage strings

 

[spanndrew]

Something with a 5 piece neck and a high mass bridge.

 

[Nev375]

Well, the F# at that gauge should result in around 39 lbs whereas the typical E at 105 is about 42 lbs.

105 for an A truly is a ridiculous amount of tension and I'd be shocked if you can get it that high in pitch without breaking it.

Check your intended gauges again.

 

[Anonymous7]

Definitely pulled a fruedian, meamt to say .80

 

[Nev375]

A "freudian?" I don't get it.

 

[Anonymous7]

Fruedian slip is when you say something wrong because you were thinking of something else, like calling someone someone else's name

 

[AndrewM]

Check out the Warwick Vampyre Dark Lord, it was specifically made for the exact tuning you want to use haha

 

[Anonymous7]

Oh huh I guess it is, guess similar things would work similar to it as well

 

[tbz]

Fruedian slip is when you say something wrong because you were thinking of something else, like calling someone someone else's name

The Freudian prefix is used to denote a situation in which the speaker slipped due to a subconscious desire for said slip to be a factual reality.

So in his case, that term would really only apply if you wanted your A to be a .105.

Hence his, and anyone else's confusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freudian_slip

 

[Ric5]

Usually the lower tunings result in less tension.

Not usually ... actually ALLWAYS

Your highest tension strings will be the D and G strings.

So when you will actually have to back off the truss rod and lower the bridge to string your bass that way.

 

[Ric5]

I want a four string tuned F#0 B0 E1 A1 for subterranean levels of low, but I'm most concerned about tension on the neck, do you guys now of any bass strong enough to handle it?

Try ADGC first ... just get a set of strings for a 5 string bass and tune down a whole step and throw away the G string ...

I find notes below the low A pretty much useless in a band situation.

 

[MarkA]

I do think that a strong neck will be necessary to play effectively at that low a tuning, but I don't think it's necessarily because of tension. Check out the Circle K strings site and download the tension chart PDF -- very handy reference in general, not just for their strings (though I do like their strings). You can get that tuning with a variety of tensions, some less than that used for a standard EADG four-banger (and in a traditional set, the E string is less tension than the G). With the heavier strings, though, you have a lot more mass moving at a lot higher amplitude (note how the E moves more than the G) and a bass that isn't very solid will feel mushy and lose a lot of that energy. There's a difference between an instrument feeling "lively" and resonant (which I like) and a cheap fiver with a noodly neck being shaken all over the place when you play a low B.

That's the long answer. Short answer: Depends on the individual instrument, your budget, playing style, etc. I could see the right P-bass with an extra-chunky, after-market neck and the right nut handling that well. I don't have any specific expertise with tunings that low, but you want a solid instrument overall, with a solid bridge and tuners and (maybe?) sufficient mass at the headstock (some people think that makes a difference).

 

[MarkA]

Btw, none of this address your amplification setup. Hope it's up to the job. Whole 'nother topic. And what tuning are you coming from? If standard, then the ADGC idea doesn't seem a bad one to try, but do what you will.

 

[MDBass]

Dingwall:

That is all

 

[Solarmist]

Not usually ... actually ALLWAYS

Your highest tension strings will be the D and G strings.

So when you will actually have to back off the truss rod and lower the bridge to string your bass that way.

Yes - very true.

The D string has the most tension, and you can check out tensions with the D'Addario string tension chart on page 10. > [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Also you're going to need at least a 35" scale neck on it, and I don't know of any cab that can reproduce any fundamental lows that low. You should ask about cabs in the Amps forum.

 

[Nev375]

Not usually ... actually ALLWAYS

Your highest tension strings will be the D and G strings.

So when you will actually have to back off the truss rod and lower the bridge to string your bass that way.

Well, no. Not necessarily always. He could order a .200 for the low F# to bring it up over the tension of your standard E.
The gauge and tensions are up to him, but its not necessary.

 

[Ric5]

The misconception is that the fatter strings ... ie low B and low F# will put more strain on the neck and they don't.

The one thing you will need to do is make a new nut for the fatter strings.

 

[bassofthe]

I play a Dingwall in F#, with Kalium strings. I currently use a .166 F#, but I will be trying a .174 set on the next one.