Hello,
Been playing with bass for jsut over a week now and decided to tune down to CGCF (low-to-high) to play some SOAD... and on my what was originally E but now C string when Im playing fret 5 or below I get a kind of twang if I'm not gentle with it... I guess its hitting the fretboard.
Is this because the strings simply aren't designed to be loosened like that (if so is there any way to correct this elsewhere on the guitar?) or is it due to my playing style... when doing it gently its fine but anything above a timid touch results in this occuring. This also occured slightly in standard tuning on the E string when playing first fret.
If its my playing style what are the recomendations?
Thanks in advance !
Guy
[edited for correct string naming ;)]
[ 09 July 2003: Message edited by: guytp ]
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Comments
Apart from changing string guages, you could try taking the whole tuning up a couple of tones, giving (as you listed them) G#DAD, meaning you only have to detuen the E a tone and tune the G string up a semitone.
You could start moving the bridge saddles around a little, but I wouldn't recomment this unless you plan to have the bass set up in the near future.
The equation for frequency is something like f = sqrt (Tension /( mass * length)) / L (I think there might be a constant in there somewhere as well, root 2?) so basically, as youincrease length the note gets lower. If you want to tune low, make the string longer, reduce tension or increase mass.
It's great though that you're playing around with altered tunings so soon after buying the bass. If more people were as adventurous we'd have much more interesting chart music
The setup that comes with regent guitars (I think although cant swear cuz itd involve walking into nex room) says that if you change the gauge of strings t invalidates the free re-setups at 6 and 12 months... guessing any kind of playing around is so may wanna try different tuning or jus be gentle lol
Is it possible (someone @ Regent may be able to help, or someone who jsut knows things) to during the next setup have it set so that itll be quite happy playing tuned like this rather than standard EADG?
Hmm I see to be waffling and randomly jumping my thoughts around
Is it possible (someone @ Regent may be able to help, or someone who jsut knows things) to during the next setup have it set so that itll be quite happy playing tuned like this rather than standard EADG?
Yes, although if you ever want to tune back to EADG then the neck will most likely start to bend horribly due to the higher tension, resulting in high action ( the strings are higher off the fretboard making it hard to play). You'd then have to get it setup again if you wanted to keep it tuned to EADG.
What I'd look into if I was in your situation would be some good octave pedals - these take the note you've played and drop it down an octave (12 frets). Most of them then mix the new note in with the old one, but there are usually controls to adjust the level of each note. The fingering (fnarr! ) might be slightly harder, but it's all good as it will help strengthen your fretting fingers.
EDIT: Of course, this might not be for you - I just like pedals and I'm stubborn about different tunings (I generally refuse to play anything in Drop D )
James
[ 09 July 2003: Message edited by: donut ]
BTW, Is it just me or is there no point in downtuning every string for bass. I always thought you would only ever need to drop tune the E (unless you playing chords that is
[ 09 July 2003: Message edited by: good_mourning ]
James
BTW, Is it just me or is there no point in downtuning every string for bass. I always thought you would only ever need to drop tune the E (unless you playing chords that is
My theory is that its to make fingering easier as well... and hwen like me youve only been playing a week jumping up and down the fretboard is difficult enough let alone extra effort
The further up the neck you play, the more intonation issues you'll have - the note will sound more "off" if you're playing at the top end of the fretboard. EADG was picked for a reason...
Stick in standard tuning. You can still technically play System, your'll just have to change the fingering, and maybe play it an octave higher (which is where donuts pedals come in)
Don't get into changing the tuning to early otherwise you won't pick up the crucial lessons where you atomatically learn which notes are where!
billy
Good idea to ivnest in a pedal then heh
Any offers on whether the OC-2 will work well with the lower frequencies of bass as its only listed in the electric section - not the bass.
Would this be suitable if I decided not to go for a multi-FX pedal - i.e. have it so that "original octave volume=0, 1 below=full, 2 below=0" or something like that or am I barking up the wrong tree again
Edit: I think Im barking up the wrong tree as it doesnt seem to cut out original octave Any suggestions for what I'm looking for ?
[ 09 July 2003: Message edited by: guytp ]
Your best bet though would be to go to RG (you said you lived about 30 mins away?) and try it out. The only other octave pedal that comes to mind is the EBS Octabass , which is much more expensive (£149!!) but I've heard good things about.
James
Thanks everyone your all gr8:-)
a good 3 mins in a car or 30 min walk lol
Pfft! :rolleyes: It's a good hour and a half in the car for me (or several days walking!)
James
Pfft! :rolleyes: It's a good hour and a half in the car for me (or several days walking!)
Stop being lazy... walk down and try it out for me and Ill give you a shiny pennny. lol
[QB]Stop being lazy... walk down and try it out for me and Ill give you a shiny pennny. lol[QB]
I'll show you where to stick that bloody shiny penny of yours
James
I'll show you where to stick that bloody shiny penny of yours
James
In a piggy bank?
*whistles innocently*
James
I changed the strings on my Milestone 3 to some rotosound flatwounds, which were a higher guage, Of course i did this without any advice, just after I got it, so I have totally screwed up my playing style, and have bowed the neck of my bass. Both can be fixed, it's just there annoying when they happen.
BB
Boss OC-3
It has a bass mode.
James
Looks nice - when does it come out?
James
I wish I knew, Boss aren't very good at annoucing dates, and tehy are worse at keeping to them.
Except i'll bet it will be at least £100
Other things on my shopping list first though.
I wish I knew, Boss aren't very good at annoucing dates, and tehy are worse at keeping to them.
Damn.
Ooooh. Tasty
Except i'll bet it will be at least £100
That's why Boss put a 'Bass Input' on some of their pedals - so they justify higher prices. You'd be paying extra for something you probably wouldn't use.
James
Or did you mean necessary?
EDIT: And because Boss sell far more pedals to guitarists than bassists, they'll probably make more money selling that single pedal at a higher price than developing two different pedals (one for guitar and one for bass). I think.
James
[ 11 July 2003: Message edited by: donut ]