Members mlwarriner Posted May 18, 2005 Members Share Posted May 18, 2005 okay, the band i'm auditioning for thursday plays in drop-c tuning, and since i wasn't able to master the art of the 5-string bass, i'm sticking with a 4-string. previous bands i've played in did drop-c# tuning (c#-g#-c#-f#) and a heavy 4-string set worked well enough, but there was some loss of sustain on the e-string, as it was tuned the furthest down. however, in the difference between c# and c, the loss of sustain, and the general floppiness of the e-string, has gotten much worse. i currently use SIT Powersteels, the heaviest set that juststrings.com has for sale. my question is this: would there be serious adverse affects to replacing my e-string with a light gauge b-string and tuning it up to c instead of dropping my e down to c? if so, what? please and thanks for any info available... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members megadan Posted May 18, 2005 Members Share Posted May 18, 2005 I would say that was a good plan. The only thing to watch out for is that the nut is wide enough to hold the B string. (good thing I didn't say G string :D) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TweedBassman Posted May 18, 2005 Members Share Posted May 18, 2005 yeah i would definetly go for a low b string, and make sure the nut is wide enough. also make sure your bridge saddle can go back far enough before you start cutting the nut. most b strings are a little "slack" anyway, so tuning one up to C would be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted May 18, 2005 Moderators Share Posted May 18, 2005 Does anyone make a four string set heavy enough to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mlwarriner Posted May 18, 2005 Author Members Share Posted May 18, 2005 Originally posted by isaac42 Does anyone make a four string set heavy enough to do this? the heaviest 4-string set i've found runs 50-110, and that's what i'm using at the moment...hence the idea of swapping out my heavy e for a light b and tuning it up... dunno... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members baja85 Posted May 18, 2005 Members Share Posted May 18, 2005 My band plays in drop B, and I play a four sting Thunderbird. I use a five string set and just give the G to my rhythm guitarist. m/:mad: m/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Incubitabus Posted May 19, 2005 Members Share Posted May 19, 2005 just buy a set for the fiver and hang on to the G. If you go back to EADG, then you'll ahve an extra. Chevelle's Bassist has a 4-string tuned BEAD. Just know your truss rod may need some adjusting to keep the action from getting too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tbirdbassist Posted May 19, 2005 Members Share Posted May 19, 2005 I dont use a low B off a 5er, I use a .105 and for the rest of the strings i use lights, except on my Ibanez which is in BEDG. I use a .95 E for that tuning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 19, 2005 Members Share Posted May 19, 2005 I bought a 5 string set and tossed out the G. I haven't touched the truss rod and I haven't had any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted May 19, 2005 Members Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by chunkathalon I bought a 5 string set and tossed out the G. I haven't touched the truss rod and I haven't had any problems. +1 The B string usually has slightly LESS tension on the neck if anything. When I BEAD'ed my T-40, I didn't even have to touch the truss rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Incubitabus Posted May 19, 2005 Members Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by lug +1 The B string usually has slightly LESS tension on the neck if anything. When I BEAD'ed my T-40, I didn't even have to touch the truss rod. Thats because its a T-40. Try doing it on a mexi P-bass, then come talk to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted May 19, 2005 Moderators Share Posted May 19, 2005 The make won't matter much, if at all. As long as the diameter of the string is proportional for the frequency, the tension will be the same. As lug says, if anything, low B strings are too small, so less tension is on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Incubitabus Thats because its a T-40. Try doing it on a mexi P-bass, then come talk to me... Hey, by BEAD bass is a Peavey too. I guess this could only mean... Peavey > Fender Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sgt_politeness Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Your neck may end up instantly resembling a wooden banana... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by sgt_politeness Your neck may end up instantly resembling a wooden banana... How? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sgt_politeness Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by chunkathalon How? Tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by sgt_politeness Tension. So, when the tension lessens the bass bends like a banana? Hint: B strings are lower tension on the neck than G strings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sgt_politeness Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by chunkathalon So, when the tension lessens the bass bends like a banana?Hint: B strings are lower tension on the neck than G strings... Hint: Low B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by sgt_politeness Hint: Low B. I don't understand. A low B string will exert less tension because even though it is thicker, it is tuned much lower (looser). Nobody complains about a floppy G string. How will a string that exerts less tension cause a bass to bow like a banana? heh.Floppy G string. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sgt_politeness Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by chunkathalon I don't understand. A low B string will exert less tension because even though it is thicker, it is tuned much lower (looser). Nobody complains about a floppy G string. How will a string that exerts less tension cause a bass to bow like a banana? heh.Floppy G string. (I have now entered the Twilight Zone)Okay.He's talking about replacing his E string with a low B, but he's doing it to CREATE TENSION (not keep it floppy) as they tune to drop C# or drop C. C...as in higher than B even. Tension. I give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members megadan Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 But that C is still tuned lower than the E he is replacing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BEAD Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 The tormented genius of sgt_politeness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted May 20, 2005 Members Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by chunkathalon The tormented genius of sgt_politeness... ........readies the prozac injection and thorazine drip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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