My idea for tuning a bass to cope with a low F on a guitar

Kronpox · 09-17-2008, 11:26 PM

So my band is going to switch to 8 strings soon (whenever they arrive

), and we've been pulling our hair out trying to figure out what to do with the bass. We'd tune to the same octave, but we're not going to be playing on the low strings all the time and playing on a higher Bb and Eb would probably sound wimpy. We don't want to tune an octave down because that's hard to handle with cheap bass rigs. So, my zany idea is to tune F Bb Eb Ab Db like we planned, but tune the F an octave up so it's like the 2nd fret on the Eb. So when we're gnarl-ing on the low Fs we're in unison, and when we go up to the higher strings we're an octave down like any normal metal band.

Basically I want other people's opinions on of this is a retarded idea or not. It's all hypothetical until we receive the 8s and try this out, but input would be appreciated

All_¥our_Bass · 09-17-2008, 11:50 PM

I think that would be really cool.

TomAwesome · 09-18-2008, 12:17 AM

Why do that instead of just playing the same notes on the Eb string?

Kronpox · 09-18-2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomAwesome

Why do that instead of just playing the same notes on the Eb string?

ease mainly, it would be a lot easier to play everything the way we're used to be playing it as opposed to trying to figure out how to pick something two frets and two strings higher than we're used to every time the guitars play something on the low F.

TomAwesome · 09-18-2008, 01:58 AM

I guess. Well, if it works right for you, do it!

Variant · 09-18-2008, 02:27 AM

Actually, that's not zany at all... that way you're using the same fingering going from one instrument to another. Another neat idea to reinforce the unison idea might be to try a double-course bass (eight string, maybe) with a F1/F1 - Bb0/Bb1 - Eb2/Eb3 - Ab3/Ab4 kinda setup, you know?

Crucified · 09-18-2008, 10:42 AM

or get yourself a longer scale bass and and use a big thick assed string. the 175 on my warwick wasn't ideal but it didn't sound bad.

MerlinTKD · 09-18-2008, 11:36 AM

I was going to say, why not tune Bb Eb F Ab Db, but I realized that would totally mess up any runs you did.

Besides, have the 'lowest' string be higher pitched than the rest is kind of banjo-like, and could make for some seriously cool runs right there!

Kronpox · 09-18-2008, 04:09 PM

Banjo-like death metal in low F tuning

We don't really have budget for a new bass (our band doesn't even really have a 'bassist', our old bassist left and lately the rhythm guitarist has been using my bass rig), so we're trying to get by with what we have. Which isn't bad, but definitely isn't specialized for low low tunings. We'll try an F an octave down, but I don't have high hopes, so I'm just hypothesizing.

next up; bass mod picstory - replacement banjo body

B Lopez · 09-18-2008, 04:53 PM

Thats what I'd do if my bass had enough strings

09-17-2008, 11:26 PM	#1
Kronpox shrent? shrent. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 783 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: Agile 727 + Lundgren/X2N Main ERG: Custom Agile Intrepid Rig: Vetta II HD, RS125XL Thanked: 15	My idea for tuning a bass to cope with a low F on a guitar So my band is going to switch to 8 strings soon (whenever they arrive ), and we've been pulling our hair out trying to figure out what to do with the bass. We'd tune to the same octave, but we're not going to be playing on the low strings all the time and playing on a higher Bb and Eb would probably sound wimpy. We don't want to tune an octave down because that's hard to handle with cheap bass rigs. So, my zany idea is to tune F Bb Eb Ab Db like we planned, but tune the F an octave up so it's like the 2nd fret on the Eb. So when we're gnarl-ing on the low Fs we're in unison, and when we go up to the higher strings we're an octave down like any normal metal band. Basically I want other people's opinions on of this is a retarded idea or not. It's all hypothetical until we receive the 8s and try this out, but input would be appreciated www.myspace.com/kronpoxmusic www.myspace.com/symbionicmusic www.myspace.com/brideofthemonster www.myspace.com/nephelium

09-17-2008, 11:50 PM	#2
All_¥our_Bass I <3 Ping Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sevenstring.org Posts: 2,690 Real Name: Nicholas Main Seven: I don't has yetz :'( Main ERG: Hello Kitty Squire Strat Rig: BP80->Drive CD 100B Thanked: 47	I think that would be really cool. STARBUCKS IST KRIEG!! "UGG_IM_KYLE'S OFFICIAL THUNDERDDDOME CHALLENGE You must make (and provide photos of) an ice-cream cake (or suitably large sundae) commemorating the death of Aeris in Final Fantasy 7, complete with an entirely edible depiction of Speiroth's betrayal on top. Photographic evidence will be required, of course. Bonus points if it doesn't end up tasting like absolute shit."- DDDorian

09-18-2008, 12:17 AM	#3
TomAwesome I LIKE JUICE!!! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 6,244 Real Name: Tom Main Seven: Ibanez RG 7421 Main ERG: Agile Intrepid 8 Pro Rig: Axe-FX Ultra Thanked: 26	Why do that instead of just playing the same notes on the Eb string? "Tom, you're like 1 part a serious dork, and 2 parts the most awesome fucking guy ever." -

09-18-2008, 10:42 AM	#7
Crucified Deathgrind Maniac Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 1,773 Real Name: Kevin Main Seven: rg2027xvv Main ERG: Custom Sherman 8. Rig: Herbert/Uberschall Thanked: 55 $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Crucified is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	or get yourself a longer scale bass and and use a big thick assed string. the 175 on my warwick wasn't ideal but it didn't sound bad. ------------------------ Shameless sale thread sig. http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gui...ogie-4x12.html

09-18-2008, 11:36 AM	#8
MerlinTKD 7-String Drummer! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,398 Real Name: Shannon Main Seven: Refin M-207 w/Painkiller! Main ERG: Ibanez SRX695DX (bass) Rig: L6 Toneport GX -> PC Thanked: 20	I was going to say, why not tune Bb Eb F Ab Db, but I realized that would totally mess up any runs you did. Besides, have the 'lowest' string be higher pitched than the rest is kind of banjo-like, and could make for some seriously cool runs right there! Mer7in / Anonimosity Music @ Myspace Facebook SoundClick Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage. ~ Maya Angelou I like a little rebellion now and then. It's like a storm in the atmosphere. ~ Thomas Jefferson

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09-18-2008, 01:58 AM	#5
TomAwesome I LIKE JUICE!!! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 6,244 Real Name: Tom Main Seven: Ibanez RG 7421 Main ERG: Agile Intrepid 8 Pro Rig: Axe-FX Ultra Thanked: 26	I guess. Well, if it works right for you, do it!

09-18-2008, 02:27 AM	#6
Variant Impromptu Observer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 2,809 Real Name: Ryan Main Seven: Conklin GTBD-7 Main ERG: Steinberger Synapse Rig: Line 6 X3 Pro Thanked: 35	Actually, that's not zany at all... that way you're using the same fingering going from one instrument to another. Another neat idea to reinforce the unison idea might be to try a double-course bass (eight string, maybe) with a F1/F1 - Bb0/Bb1 - Eb2/Eb3 - Ab3/Ab4 kinda setup, you know?

09-18-2008, 04:09 PM	#9
Kronpox shrent? shrent. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 783 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: Agile 727 + Lundgren/X2N Main ERG: Custom Agile Intrepid Rig: Vetta II HD, RS125XL Thanked: 15	Banjo-like death metal in low F tuning We don't really have budget for a new bass (our band doesn't even really have a 'bassist', our old bassist left and lately the rhythm guitarist has been using my bass rig), so we're trying to get by with what we have. Which isn't bad, but definitely isn't specialized for low low tunings. We'll try an F an octave down, but I don't have high hopes, so I'm just hypothesizing. next up; bass mod picstory - replacement banjo body

09-18-2008, 04:53 PM	#10
B Lopez Vescere bracis meis. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Killafornia Posts: 3,447 Real Name: Bobby Main Seven: Schecter Loomis Main ERG: Agile Intrepid Pro 8 Rig: Carvin/Vader Thanked: 73	Thats what I'd do if my bass had enough strings UNSCARED "...The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." -J.S. Mill "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." -Vince Lombardi

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My idea for tuning a bass to cope with a low F on a guitar