Downtuning

T

tremor100

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i dout i can get much help from you guys because most of you probbolly play in standard or dropped D max. But this new band im joining up with on the side is a "metalcore" band and plays in dropped C...so a full step down from dropped D. I can deal with the whole step tenson loss....but not the 2 step on my e string...it is just to slinky and sound clicky and shitty. Im a fan of deep bass tones, ANyways il openy admit that my low b is mainly used as a thumb rest, so what ive been doing is uptuning that a step from B to C....but this gets tricky when i play fast scales or some crap and have to skip over s tring. Any advice? Its not giving me fret buzz and regardess im assuming its gonna sound the same no mater how i get it set up.
 
I was EXACTLY where you are now about 2 years ago. At that time I played both 4- and 5-strings. Because of dropped-C tuning (C/G/C/F), I play exclusively 4-string now. I was never comfortable with a B string tuned down to G (or even A). Whereas an E string tuned to C worked fine with a larger guage string (I use a .110). In a way, when you tune to dropped-C you're making a 4-string the bottom 4 of a 5-string. Not sure that really helps, but you're not alone...
 
What I would do is just leave your five-string in standard tuning. This way you can go low enough and do scales with ease. Plus you get a few extra low notes for some fills. :D
 
The problem with having the 5-string in standard is he'll be stuck fretting the first fret instead of having the open C. That's a huge problem on faster songs...
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
The problem with having the 5-string in standard is he'll be stuck fretting the first fret instead of having the open C. That's a huge problem on faster songs...
Click to expand...

Then tune each string up a semitone.

You have 5 strings for a reason though, the C is there waiting to be played.

I can't believe every single song would be in C anyway,
 
How about asking the rest of the band to tune down to B to match your bass. That would be more metal than C anyway ;) (IMO)
 
..ok i suppose i'm still the only one here to play a 4 string bass tuned in B (and actually like it) :D
 
GHS makes custom strings in any guage you want. I tune my thumb GCGCF/140,120,80,70,50. I don't like GHS as much as DR but, DR doesn't make these so I have to use GHS.

It's better than floppy strings.IMO
 
Damn fpr0dbass, 4 different cabinets and only 2 basses? What up with that? Just kidding. Which preamp are you using, the PRO or the CL (classic)? Your list implies both, so I was just curious.
 
thanks for the advice... and in regards to someones comment that you doubt that all the sons are gonna be in C....well u havent heard the new harcore of today lol. Its just playing really fast... then nailing the open string in a odd time signature called breakdown... however the idea of having only the c tned up a semitone and keep the rest in standard is already what im doing. i dont mind the other strings being a whole step down. And even if they downtunes to B taht would jsut mean downtuning the rest of my stirngs even further lol. Like i know its not gonna happen...but im gonna try to to do more then just follow ead pounding on C...but yea. Anywyas lol thanks guys... i hade downtuning :(
 
As far as I'm concerned, I tune my 5-strings "CEADG". Simply because my guitarist's tuning is CGCFAD, and I'd like to keep a 5 string without switching to a 4-string tuned CGCF.

Moreover, I need an open C on many songs, that's why I prefer to have the bass tuned in CEADG. Yeah, it might sound tricky for scales and stuff, but I've learned to play on a 5-string this way, so I feel at ease, notes-wise.

But if you give me a "standard tuned" 5-string, I won't be lost neither...
 
Damn fpr0dbass, 4 different cabinets and only 2 basses? What up with that? Just kidding. Which preamp are you using, the PRO or the CL (classic)? Your list implies both, so I was just curious.

Both. But I almost always use the classic. :D And out of the two basses I Play my thumb NT 99.99999999999% of the time, recording, live, yep it's my b!tch.
 
Hey Tremor. I'm also in a metal band that plays in drop C tuning (except for a few songs where we play in D). I have also run into the problem of floppy strings and them not giving a pop. I use HEAVY DR strings now (110-50) and they seem to keep their punch and slap tone very well even in the low tuning. I recommend trying these, harder to find but work well.

And as far as the explanation of what "new hardcore metal" is these days, it seems fairly accurate, but i hope this doesnt stereotype ALL music in Drop C tuning...A LOT of new metal (note: not hardcore metal) bands use this tuning and don't fall into the "simple open notes in odd timing breakdown" category. my band included...
 
My band have also started to use Drop C tuning, I've been using .050 > 135 gauge D'Addario's for the last couple of rehersals and they seem to be working out quite well.
 
i dt

I downtune to C in my band balance of silence
( www.myspace.com/balanceofsilence )

On my FNA jazzman using regular 45-105 elixirs and although i find the tone not quite as good as regular tuning the tension loss isnt as much of a pain as on other basses, possibly due to the pitch backed headstock and the fact that i wind em real tight round the bottom of the post.
That said it does p1s5 me off having to do it!, esp as another band i play with detunes to D and another is regulat pitch, my necks love me!
Good luck with it dude, nice to see another bassplayer dealing with the same grief!
 
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