Strange tuning or not?

[X the Dead Pawn]

One of my friends who's got a 5 string uses it tuned to B-D-A-D-G

WTF???

[dDigitalPimp]

yeah thats weird. you really dont need to drop the E string to D if you have a B string. he must be so used to playing in dropped D that its too hard for him to get back to a standard 5 string tuning.

[rpsands]

A lot of songs are nearly impossible or very very difficult to play on a 5-er without an open D. Lots of Tool songs are that way.

[Billvarez]

I also know a guy who uses this same tuning. I thought it was wierd as well. Guess its not....

[countrybass]

In 31 years of playing, I have never not been able to play any song regardless of how the artist is tuned, while I'm tuned standard. I just don't get it. Maybe I'm old school, or working harder than I need to, but that's how I do it.

[t3ch]

I wouldn't use it all the time, but I can definitely see it being useful in some situations.

[mrcrow]

In 31 years of playing, I have never not been able to play any song regardless of how the artist is tuned, while I'm tuned standard. I just don't get it. Maybe I'm old school, or working harder than I need to, but that's how I do it.

 

thats how i feel

a note is a note...why reinvent the wheel just because it aint round

 

[countrybass]

thats how i feel a note is a note...why reinvent the wheel just because it aint round

 

Exactly. Like ya can't play Tool without an open D on a 5-er. Um... What about the D on the 3rd fret B string. Damn it's even the same octave!

[Xuf]

My bassist uses this tuning. We play Tool, Lamb of God and all of our originals are also in Drop D so it makes alot of sense...

[bassplayer7770]

I do find a few songs easier to play on a 4-string in Dropped-D tuning rather than a 5-string, but I've never tuned a 5-string like that.

[FloydianAnimal]

Can't say I've done that, but it makes sense in a way. I tune my 5 string a little different than normal anyway

[countrybass]

 

My bassist uses this tuning. We play Tool, Lamb of God and all of our originals are also in Drop D so it makes alot of sense...

 

 

Sure it does, if he uses a 4 banger, but if he uses a 5, it really makes little sense at all.

[t3ch]

 

Sure it does, if he uses a 4 banger, but if he uses a 5, it really makes little sense at all.

 

 

Sure it does.

[countrybass]

 

Sure it does.

 

 

Of course.

[browndog021]

 

Sure it does, if he uses a 4 banger, but if he uses a 5, it really makes little sense at all.

 

 

Sometimes it's easier to ride an open D than a fretted one. Sometimes it's easier to make transitions in this situation also. An open note also has a distinct sound compaired to a fretted note. But in the end it is whatever the person playing feels most comfortable with. Niether way is right or wrong IMO.

[sludgebass69]

 

Sure it does, if he uses a 4 banger, but if he uses a 5, it really makes little sense at all.

 

 

 

I play a few songs that I cannot play properly, in the correct octave without an open low D. If you can you are a hellavu lot better player than me.....and that is entirely possible.

[countrybass]

 

I play a few songs that I cannot play properly, in the correct octave without an open low D. If you can you are a hellavu lot better player than me.....and that is entirely possible.

 

 

Honestly, I probably am. But then again, this is what I do as a primary occupation and where I make most of my money. I went to college for music and studied jazz and have been playing for alittle over 31 years. And quite frankly, there's not much that's hard to play at this point.

[collinwho]

I occasionally tune to drop-D, but I only play 4 string basses (personal preference). I don't imagine I would ever drop to D on a 5 string bass, but that is just me.

[X the Dead Pawn]

He uses it he says as a tool to better distort his halfstack. He is the only bassist I know that uses this tuning besides some of you guys who posted here. Thanks for the help.

[ToeJamFootball]

Honestly, I probably am. But then again, this is what I do as a primary occupation and where I make most of my money. I went to college for music and studied jazz and have been playing for alittle over 31 years. And quite frankly, there's not much that's hard to play at this point.

There are plenty of songs that require an open D, the fact that you haven't discovered them yourself doesn't mean someone else shouldn't tune they're bass BDADG.

 

FWIW, my 6 is hardly is standard, I normally tune ADADGC, or GCGCGC.

 

Big deal!

[Jazz Ad]

In 31 years of playing, I have never not been able to play any song regardless of how the artist is tuned, while I'm tuned standard. I just don't get it. Maybe I'm old school, or working harder than I need to, but that's how I do it.

You never used a drone string in 31 years of playing? You don't know what you're missing.

[Hamer-Bass-Head]

but if I did and I wanted that open D I'd also tune the B down to A