Tuning to D or C# standard

[Greenman72]

So....if you want to play in D# standard tuning, you can tune down your EADG bass by one half step.
If you want to play in C standard, you can tune up your BEAD (or five string) bass by one half step. .

What do you do if you want to play C#-F#- B - E? or D-G-C-F? If (for example), you wanted play a lot of A Perfect Circle, who seems to tune to C#? Would you get a special bass just for C# and D tuning? Or would you just learn how to play it on your BEAD or 5 string bass?

 

[GretschWretch]

I personally would not bother with the C#, but that low D is entirely too useful a note not to have, especially if you are playing a lot of flat keys. If that is the case, I would simply tune D-G-C-F.

 

[michael_t]

I tune one of my Jazz basses to DGCF (D-standard). I did go up in gauges to compensate for the reduced tension. I typically use 40-100 of hex-core rounds for EADG, so I just installed a set of DR DDT 45-105 to try out for DGCF and so far it's working out very well.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/d-standard-club-dgcf.1190032/

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are playing it a lot, it's worth setting up a bass for it.

For D tuning, I'd just use my de-tuner, and play in drop D.

 

[MCS4]

It depends on how extensively you'll be playing in those tunings. If I were going to be spending a lot of time playing rock/metal music written in tunings with a low string in the D to C range (which I do), I for sure would have a separate bass with a heavier string gauge that better suits those tunings.

If you are just playing a random APC song here and there you could get by on a BEADG five-string though, since their stuff shouldn't be as difficult to play without using their exact tuning compared to other rock and metal bands that rely a lot more on open string palm mutes and very intricate unison parts.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I play a most exclusively in those tunings. Either tune 105-45/50 strings down a whole step and raise the action/adjust the intonation and adjust your technique. Currently my D standard bass has 110-55 Ernie balls and it feels good. Personally it’s worth having a bass setup in that tuning

 

[Hot Rats]

The blues band guitarist plays in D so I have a p bass set up just for that using .050 to .110.

 

[BioDriver]

Hipshot D-Tuner to the rescue!

 

[wintremute]

I would use my DigiTech Drop.

 

[gregmon79]

So....if you want to play in D# standard tuning, you can tune down your EADG bass by one half step.
If you want to play in C standard, you can tune up your BEAD (or five string) bass by one half step. .

What do you do if you want to play C#-F#- B - E? or D-G-C-F? If (for example), you wanted play a lot of A Perfect Circle, who seems to tune to C#? Would you get a special bass just for C# and D tuning? Or would you just learn how to play it on your BEAD or 5 string bass?

I normally tune to flats now these days (half step down from E standard). But our band started writing some songs in D standard (whole step down from E standard). So I tuned my Fender PJ to DGCF. It depends on how you like your tone IMO. I can't stand the tone/zing I lose when I go to a heavier gauge string (.105 to a .110 set). I still use the .105 set tuned to D standard and it works for me. But if I went down to C#, I'd almost have to go to a .110 set. That is the reason I don't go lower than D standard for the most part.

So IMO, it really depends on if you don't mind getting a darker tone and how lose and or tight you want the bass to feel. If you can play most your songs in D standard with a lighter gauge, that's the route I'd go personally.

 

[Low End Scum]

I just keep my Dingwall in D Standard. Very useful as a guy that doesn't have a 5er and doesn't want to sell a bass to fund the hunt for one that I'll love enough to switch over for.

 

[stigbeve]

I play in C# standard. I use the DR DDT .115 set.

 

[Zazie Moondust]

Regular-ish string gauges (45-105) handle D just fine. C# might be a tad shakey, but I can try when I get a chance.

Ideally I like to still have a bass set up for a lower tuning though for optimum performance.

 

[bassboysam]

So....if you want to play in D# standard tuning, you can tune down your EADG bass by one half step.
If you want to play in C standard, you can tune up your BEAD (or five string) bass by one half step. .

What do you do if you want to play C#-F#- B - E? or D-G-C-F? If (for example), you wanted play a lot of A Perfect Circle, who seems to tune to C#? Would you get a special bass just for C# and D tuning? Or would you just learn how to play it on your BEAD or 5 string bass?

I played in C# standard for many years. it was always a challenge to find strings that were not too stiff or not too floppy. i wanted the strings to be on the floppier side for that tone and mostly used 110s or 115s on a 4 string.

 

[Chrisk-K]

So....if you want to play in D# standard tuning

It’s Eb standard tuning.

 

[thunesBARROW]

I’d say a five string is the easiest way, but it depends on what you want to do. If you want to use open strings, maybe try a different tuning. Just make sure to get the appropriate strings first.

 

[bassbrad]

Currently my SBMM Sub Ray4 is tuned in D for a project with a regular medium set [45-105] and the feel is about like my usual light set used. As soon as that project closes I will put on a set of Elixir Super Lights [40-95].

 

[kmd88]

50 70 90 110 for D or C# standard. Felt good to me and I didn’t need to adjust the nut slots.

 

[Geddaric]

My 4 string and this:

 

[AHaze]

How you want to play that type of music is up to you but I get a lot of use from having one bass permanently set up in D standard. I actually want a 5 to set up DCCFBb as well. I currently have the Billy Sheehan Rotosounds on my DGCF bass which are 110-80-65-43. I originally tried this with a standard 105-45 set and it was fine except for the floppy D string. That 110 D string was key for me on this setup.