Tuning UP three half steps

[Greenman72]

I have a 4-string bass with a extra-thick strings on it. (120-90-67-50). I normally have it tuned to C#-standard (C#-F#-B-E), which is three semitones below standard.

If I wanted to tune it up to E-standard, how much damage would I do to it?

I know if I wanted to change it long-term, it's better to use standard size strings. This is just a temporary thing until I get a new bass. (New bass solves every problem.).

 

[buldog5151bass]

I wouldn't. That's a lot of tension. Why not learn to play the songs on your present tuning?

 

[michael_t]

I have a 4-string bass with a extra-thick strings on it. (120-90-67-50). I normally have it tuned to C#-standard (C#-F#-B-E), which is three semitones below standard.

If I wanted to tune it up to E-standard, how much damage would I do to it?

I know if I wanted to change it long-term, it's better to use standard size strings. This is just a temporary thing until I get a new bass. (New bass solves every problem.).

Those look like D'Addario EXL160BT (Balanced Tension). When tuned to the standard E, they're 201.68 lbs. in total tension, which is only at the high end of "medium gauge". So, no harm done to the bass. It's just a question of whether your fingers can handle the added tension and stiffness.

 

[michael_t]

By the way, the EXL160BT set is designed to have roughly the same tension in D-G-C-F as the EXL170BT (45-60-80-107) in E-A-D-G.

 

[Aloe]

I'd use a capo

 

[Killing Floor]

I'd use a capo

This exactly.

 

[Lefty Joe]

By the way, the EXL160BT set is designed to have roughly the same tension in D-G-C-F as the EXL170BT (45-60-80-107) in E-A-D-G.

There ya go, and have three of the four strings as desired, with a low one to boot. Unless B-flat was one of the desired open notes ...

 

[Riff Ranger]

I have a 4-string bass with a extra-thick strings on it. (120-90-67-50). I normally have it tuned to C#-standard (C#-F#-B-E), which is three semitones below standard.

If I wanted to tune it up to E-standard, how much damage would I do to it?

I know if I wanted to change it long-term, it's better to use standard size strings. This is just a temporary thing until I get a new bass. (New bass solves every problem.).

I doubt you would damage the instrument, but you would want to do a full setup if you intended to stay in EADG or needed perfect intonation. Your action will likely get noticeably higher.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I'd use a capo

This exactly.

Likewise, too, also.

 

[Greenman72]

There ya go, and have three of the four strings as desired, with a low one to boot. Unless B-flat was one of the desired open notes ...

I'm sorry--I don't know what this means. Can you explain it to me?

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Buy another bass

 

[Greenman72]

By the way, the EXL160BT set is designed to have roughly the same tension in D-G-C-F as the EXL170BT (45-60-80-107) in E-A-D-G.

How do you know all this? Is it something that anybody can look up online? Or do you have some kind of "inside track" on how that works?

(For the record, I am NOT anywhere close to a professional musician or sound engineer or....whatever it is that you guys do.)

 

[Killing Floor]

Buy another bass

Well yeah, and some handmade straps.

 

[Riff Ranger]

How do you know all this? Is it something that anybody can look up online? Or do you have some kind of "inside track" on how that works?

(For the record, I am NOT anywhere close to a professional musician or sound engineer or....whatever it is that you guys do.)

D'Addario, GHS, and probably others post at least some of their string tension statistics on their websites. Stringjoy's tension calculator is a fun rabbit hole. Note that no one manufacturer's numbers necessarily match up neatly with all others, but they should get you in the ballpark if you're looking at the same types of construction i.e. comparing hex-core, nickel-plated-steel roundwound strings to more of the same.

 

[michael_t]

How do you know all this? Is it something that anybody can look up online? Or do you have some kind of "inside track" on how that works?

TalkBass is my "inside track". What I know today is a result of my being a string junkie for the last 11 yrs.

 

[Boneless]

They are rather thick strings (that .120 could be a low B in some light gauge sets). My hunch is that the bass should take it (with some truss rod tightening), but the strings will sound rather "choked".

 

[higain617]

It's not necessarily pertinent to your situation, but those DR Dropdown strings in .105 were pretty stable in C#. I think they're still made if you want to go back and forth.

 

[Lefty Joe]

I'm sorry--I don't know what this means. Can you explain it to me?

Sure. Tuning up three frets makes EADG into GFCBb. Using the other gauge, and tuning down two frets, gives you DGFC, with three of the same open notes (GFC), just on different strings. If your goal is to have any of those as open notes, either tuning will do -- but one has a Bb on the string above those three, and the other has a D on the string lower (and is a heavier gauge).

Only you can say what it is that you need, and what will best serve you -- but if you want an open Bb, you'll definitely need the tuned-up choice. If that isn't a deal-breaker, then the tuned-down choice is a little easier to obtain, and gets you a lower note to boot

 

[Greenman72]

I see what you mean.
FYI - I have one bass tuned BEAD. It is an Esh Stinger Monster Green bolt-on with a chain strap and it shall forever be tuned BEAD in homage to the greatest bassist of all time, Lord Peter Steele.

I have the aforementioned one too, but I primarily use it to "go anywhere" for nonstandard tunings.

Dragula - A#-F-A#-D
Judith - B-F#-B-E
Bodies - C-G-C-F
Down with the sickness - C#-G#-C#-F#

 

[Greenman72]

I feel like I need to explain: I'm debating between ordering a Yamaha BB734a and a TRBX604. The two basses I just mentioned are TRBX's, and I was trying to compare the sounds of the two instruments.

I was going to borrow a friends BB434 and compare the TRBX to it. But since it's in a different tuning, that affects the sound.

I COULD just re-string the TRBX. But I don't want to re-string my TRBX if you can just tighten the strings and still get the same effect. That's the true genesis of this post.

But in the past three hours, it has become a purely academic argument. BB734a will be under the tree.