When playing playing a bass with downtuned strings do people often have to adjust the curvature of the neck so that the strings don't rattle? Or do the raise the strings at the bridge?
Example: I was listening to Bowie's "87 and Cry" and it sounds like he's playing a low C on the 1st string. 28 second mark...
UPDATE: I figured it out. He's playing a 5 string w that low B string.
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Member for
11 years 11 monthsI guess, if you know you are going to do it on your four string
I guess, if you know you are going to do it on your four string bass, you can ajust the height of the string accordingly but you will have to deal with the height all the time...
I've got a 5 strings too for these situations...
Btw, the standard way to count strings are 1 to 4 starting by the higher pitch. ;)
Member for
8 years 5 monthsDr_Willie_OBGYN, post: 450511, member: 25832 wrote: When playing
Can I ask what bass you are playing? I saw that you figured it out, I still want to know...
Member for
11 years 11 monthsBrother Junk, post: 450723, member: 49944 wrote: Can I ask what
Any 5 string with a low B string can do
Mine is a yamaha BB G5 similar to this one :
Member for
19 years 5 monthsBrother Junk, post: 450723, member: 49944 wrote: Can I ask what
Ibanez SR370E SR Standard - Aged Whisky Burst
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR370EAWB
Member for
23 years 1 monthEach bass will dictate what works for it. My studio basses are
Each bass will dictate what works for it. My studio basses are all a little high on the string height simply to minimize the string rattle.
So, when I was a Pro Bass Player, I had several set up for specific purposes.....The standard 4 string, usually a P or a J tuned in standard, a 5 string in most years a Guild Pilot 5 also tuned to standard, another 4 string tuned a half step down, another 4 string tuned a whole step down and sometimes a 5 string tuned a half-step down. That about covered any live gig I got called to play. What was really fun to play was the 4 string tuned down a whole step and playing with a band who were tuned in standard. That low 'D' without having to drop tune made everything sound cool.
All of these required strings sized to what was needed. The detuned instruments could naturally handle the pull of heavier strings without much adjustment. Although after a few years I never went much smaller on the string gauges than mediums. Huge strings make huge noises.....