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Up-tuning to F# good idea?
- Thread starter ImHereToAsk
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Meshuggahs bassist mainly uses drop Bb tuning on a 5 string. The only exception is Bb standard on 4 string which Dick Switches to for the song “bleed.” So with his main drop Bb tuning his “e” string is tuned up a half step to f to match lowest note of the 8 string guitars which in Meshuggah are in f standard. But when they play the older material that was 7 string guitars half step down he has the low Bb string to get an octave below them.
There are not a lot of bands with bass players tuning to low f#. Architects bassist and mnemic , and periphery (when the guitarist play 8 string) are the only ones that can think of. I tried low f# for a little while. Didn’t like the feel, the .175 I used was as thick as a number 2 pencil, also they are very expensive and die faster then normal strings because there’s a lot more surface area
I'm going to go against the grain and say downtune to F#BEA. Buy a proper gauge string (around .175 depending on scale length) and shake the earth!
Agree with this, but even more I think I'd recommend a 5 string. I don't play Metal these days, and even when I did it was more like Maiden and such but it seems the modern stuff likes to be down tuned. So tuning up might make it easier to get an F# note on your current bass, I think if I were playing modern metal I'd want the F# an octave below that. Then again, what do I know, I'm in my 50's and play largely blues and rockabilly. Now get off my lawn with your newfangled up-tuned basses
This is fine, just use lighter gauge strings and you will need to set up the bass as well. Vola is a great band where the guitarists tune down to F# and the bassist tunes up to F#. The bassist actually uses a 5 string but he has said he doesn't even use the lowest string at all.
I would discuss this with the band, as it really depends on the context and what they want from a bassist. From a logistical standpoint, tuning up would be way easier and less involved, but it might not be what this band wants.
I would discuss this with the band, as it really depends on the context and what they want from a bassist. From a logistical standpoint, tuning up would be way easier and less involved, but it might not be what this band wants.
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It's what the dude from Meshuggah does. The guys whining about "oh, they don't even need a bass player if their guitars are that low" clearly don't have ears, or just can't differentiate between the timbre of electric bass as compared to an electric guitar, even when tuned to something like F#.
I tune two of my basses to C, F, A#, D# with TI jazz flats (the 5 banger set, discarding the G). Because of the low tension of these strings to start with, they feel really well balanced at this tension/tuning.
Why would you even want to? Basically the guitarist are playing bass already. They are in the same range as standard bass notes.
If I had to play in F#, I would just play in F#. I wouldn't retune to do it.
The magic of a bass guitar is that you can play any notes you want, down to it's lowest limit.
You might want a sub octaver as well to thicken up the deep sound for their music, but just play F#.
Open strings are lame anyway. ;-)
Hitting the 2nd fret on the E string rather than the open E string is not a challenge.
The magic of a bass guitar is that you can play any notes you want, down to it's lowest limit.
You might want a sub octaver as well to thicken up the deep sound for their music, but just play F#.
Open strings are lame anyway. ;-)
Hitting the 2nd fret on the E string rather than the open E string is not a challenge.
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I had gone through two or three 7 string guitars before I realized I actually wanted to be a bass player. 8 strings were just becoming a thing.
Conclusion.. your bandmates don't realize they're bassists yet.
Jokes aside.. I would probably keep my five string tuned to BEAGD and cringe a little bit when they started playing on the bass clef, but make it work the best I could.
Conclusion.. your bandmates don't realize they're bassists yet.
Jokes aside.. I would probably keep my five string tuned to BEAGD and cringe a little bit when they started playing on the bass clef, but make it work the best I could.
Metal riffs are usually based off pedalling against the open strings. Playing a fretted note is not going to work for that type of riff. Think Slither by Velvet Revolver. I have never heard a 5 string player do it right using the 3rd fret of the B string. It is not the same.
To each their own, but I never understood the tuning down, tuning up thing. When I played praise, we played a lot in Eb. So I bought a five string, tuned standard BEADG. Problem solved.
For F# (Gb......I’m a jazzer!) can’t be that much different from playing in G since you’ll still be able to play without using open strings. Would one choose to tune up to G, Ab, A???
For me it’s about knowing my fingerboard and being able to transpose anywhere on the fly. I figure my bass was designed for standard tuning and that’s how I tune it.
Good luck with tuning up. I hope it works out well for you and you have an awesome time playing!!!
For F# (Gb......I’m a jazzer!) can’t be that much different from playing in G since you’ll still be able to play without using open strings. Would one choose to tune up to G, Ab, A???
For me it’s about knowing my fingerboard and being able to transpose anywhere on the fly. I figure my bass was designed for standard tuning and that’s how I tune it.
Good luck with tuning up. I hope it works out well for you and you have an awesome time playing!!!
Fair enough. It is a sound, although it can be done fretted too (of course in that case I'm talking about being tuned lower than you want and fretting the note to hit it right, not playing it up an entire octave because you don't have a bass that is tuned down a minor 7th to low F#).
But, tuning up to an F# will sound horrible (it really will, and the poor instrument) compared to playing 2nd fret without retuning, hence my suggestion.
And, although I know and agree about what you're saying, having played metal bass professionally for session work and for some live shows, I can tell ya first hand that it can sound amazing on a fretted note too, with the right bass, and the right setup, and if your nut is actually cut properly so the fretted notes don't sound completely different by comparison.
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Typical for most metal bands, the open string is integral to the riff. Trying to play a fast and or complicated riff whilst simultaneously fretting the “root” COULD be near impossible.
Why does it matter that the guitar players tune their guitars to F#? You don't need to tune up a step or use a capo, just play the right notes where the rest on the bass.
OK, now I understand. I suppose then a lighter gauge string tuned up may be the answer. Sometimes it’s a little trial and error.
I went through a phase when I wanted really light strings so I used a30-90 set which was great. The only problem was despite all pickup adjustments the G string was just too thin in sound for some stuff.
I know some guys string B E A D for a heavier sound but this wouldn’t work with an open F#which is what you want.
