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Post subject: tuning bass lower
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:27 am
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I am a banjo player considering buying a 4 srtring Jazz type bass (for recording purposes). I want to tune the bass like I do my banjo (but at the lower bass octive). One tuning would be B F# B C#.

So, I am Looking for advice, suggestions - would a short scale bass not work at such a lower tuning? (note: the low B string) and also, which strings might work best for such a de-tuning?

Howard


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:40 pm
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Wow that's low. I've tune as low as C, but B I don't know. It'll most likely sound really horrible unless you make sure you cut the strings really short and get the intonation done. I have both my Fender and VM tuned to D, plus it's intonated for it too. I wouldn't do too low with Fenders, 34" scale aren't known for low tuning past D from what I understand - someone can dispute me if they know for sure - but 35" scales are good for drop tuning, that's why a lot of the metal guys love Ibanez SoundGear or now the ATK basses. My BTB (Ibanez) was also great when it was tuned to C, no buzzing what so ever. Good luck trying out and keep us posted.

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Post subject: 34" is fine, but...
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:24 pm
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I would stick with at least a 34" scale bass (P-Bass, Jazz Bass). The recent American Standards won awards in Bass Player Magazine. They thought the contra B sounded great and was balanced with the rest of strings.

Keep in mind it was a five string bass. Check with Fender to see if it OK to set up a four string bass as a 'low' 4. I know some of the hard rock & metal players (I think the bassist for Audio Slave did this) set their basses that way.

Either way you will have set the bass (intonate, adjust action, etc.) for the drastic change in pitch. I don't know how this would affect any new warranty, so double check with Fender.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:40 am
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Thanks for the responses on the B F# B C# tuning idea.

I checked with a technical guy at the GHS string company. He thought it could work if I chose the right gauge strings - such as a .125 -.130 for that low B string, and for the higher C# - something lika a .28

This will be an interesting experiment. I won an eBay auction yesterday for a
Highway One Jazz Bass (34" scale) - so that will be the Guinea Pig machine.

Let's see if it makes the next door neighbors dog bark.

Howard


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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:43 am
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Let us know how this turns out.

That's not a lot of tension on those strings.

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