I've just joined a covers band after many years of playing original music. I have a great old '79 Stingray which I love, but it's becoming a bit of a pain having to tune the E down to Eb and D all of the time so as to hit some of the lows in the covers we are doing. I'm thinking maybe I should invest in a Stingray5, however, the other day I tuned the 4 string down a tone on all the strings instead. Can anyone think of a reason why I can't just get away with tuning the bass down a tone to enable me to access those low notes, rather than having to spring for a new 5 string?
- Thread starter Devo19
- Start date
barkatozz
Well-known member
One word......HIPSHOT
strummer
Enormous Member
Tuning down a whole step is fine. If you want to keep the same kind of tension, step up one gauge on strings. If you want the same strings, release the truss rod some.
Pablo
Well-known member
If it's a real option, get a 5-string... it's one more 
Oh, and make it a Bongo HS - you won't regret it!
Cheers
Eske
Oh, and make it a Bongo HS - you won't regret it!
Cheers
Eske
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
+1 on buying a 5string.
I say this cause I'm in love with mine, truly. SR5 HH is super versatile and the B-string is perfect. Plus, I'm not a Mike Manring type person who can stand playing in untraditional tunings. I think my brain would explode if my E string G, was anything other than a G. If you can handle the weight, the SR5 is a nice compliment to any 4 string ray. Or if ya want to go lighter, then the Bongo5 is also badass.
So welcome to the forum! Spend Money!
I say this cause I'm in love with mine, truly. SR5 HH is super versatile and the B-string is perfect. Plus, I'm not a Mike Manring type person who can stand playing in untraditional tunings. I think my brain would explode if my E string G, was anything other than a G. If you can handle the weight, the SR5 is a nice compliment to any 4 string ray. Or if ya want to go lighter, then the Bongo5 is also badass.
So welcome to the forum! Spend Money!
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
I play both 4 and 5's, to me it's more like playing an alto or tenor sax, one goes lower. Use as needed.
.... probably not the best analogy, but it's early....
.... probably not the best analogy, but it's early....
adouglas
Well-known member
Why, yes. Yes you should.
5s make it possible to play lines in a whole new way, up the neck. It's easier to move your hand when your arm isn't extended, so you gain flexibility and fluidity...and therefore smoothness and speed.
So what you now have to play down in 1st position you can play up in 5th position, with your hand much closer to your body.
This is not as important if you're not a danged midget like I am (I'm 5'7" on a good day with smallish hands), but it is still true nevertheless.
Playing farther up the neck also lets you go higher more easily for cool accents and such.
And you're considering a 5 at the perfect time, when the 20th SR5 is about to be introduced.
Not only that, but when you buy an SR5 you get an official Dr. Stankface Shower Ranger membership certificate (suitable for framing), wallet card and secret decoder ring!
But...
...your question was if there's any downside to detuning. Other than possibly needing a trussrod tweak (and a further tweak if you tune back up), I imagine that the lower tension would lead to more fret buzz when you dig in hard, because the strings can whack the fretboard more easily.
Going up a gauge may or may not give you the same tension you're used to. Tension is a balance between string gauge and the pitch the string is tuned to. So going up a gauge will increase the tension...the only question is how much.
boston asphalt2
Well-known member
then Im not a real man...although my 5 string is going to be on the selling block soon.....
boston asphalt2
Well-known member
my first decent bass had a hipshot on it and while it was cool, it lend the string to being detuned so much more frequently. It got annoying having to fine tune all the time when I wouldnt have to if I had just left the string alone and detuned myself.
cdb
Well-known member
You may consider stringing your 4 banger BEAD instead of down tuning.
high mileage
Well-known member
Just so you know, a Hipshot Extender can be set to one note below your E string (E flat, D, probably lower) but you only get one choice. I have one on one of my basses and they're pretty cool although I don't really use it much.
I'd add a 5 for all the reasons adouglas mentions. Bottom line is that you will probably end up playing differently on a 5.
I'd add a 5 for all the reasons adouglas mentions. Bottom line is that you will probably end up playing differently on a 5.
Another option...
You can tune your 4-sting in fifths rather than fourths. So... Low C, G, D, high A. You get even a wider range than a five. The downside is getting used to it, and shifting positions on the fingerboard more often. Playing in the first position (actually second) elliminated most of the need to shift (depending on the key you're in), because you have a wider range right there if you incorporate open notes.
Hey... if a Cellist can do it, a bassist can do it. Some upright players have used this tuning as well. I did it for a while. It worked fine. For this "cello" tuning to work, you'd want heavier strings on bottom (C and B) and lighter on the highest (A). So, something like 125, 95, 60, 40 (I think that's what I had at the time).
You might think this is a nutty idea, but I'm telling you it worked fine after I got used to it. Ha-ha... and you should have seen the faces of the bassists that wanted to sit-in on a song. "Sure, you can sit in pal!" That alone was worth it.
Then I got a five string. Truthfully, once I got used to that tuning on the four, I had no need for a five string. But, I'm a gear slut... and, well, you know the rest.
You can tune your 4-sting in fifths rather than fourths. So... Low C, G, D, high A. You get even a wider range than a five. The downside is getting used to it, and shifting positions on the fingerboard more often. Playing in the first position (actually second) elliminated most of the need to shift (depending on the key you're in), because you have a wider range right there if you incorporate open notes.
Hey... if a Cellist can do it, a bassist can do it. Some upright players have used this tuning as well. I did it for a while. It worked fine. For this "cello" tuning to work, you'd want heavier strings on bottom (C and B) and lighter on the highest (A). So, something like 125, 95, 60, 40 (I think that's what I had at the time).
You might think this is a nutty idea, but I'm telling you it worked fine after I got used to it. Ha-ha... and you should have seen the faces of the bassists that wanted to sit-in on a song. "Sure, you can sit in pal!" That alone was worth it.
Then I got a five string. Truthfully, once I got used to that tuning on the four, I had no need for a five string. But, I'm a gear slut... and, well, you know the rest.
Adouglas you took the words right out of my mouth. Excellently explained.
5 string necks are more comfertable to me, especially the stingray 5, and the length of a 4 string on especially the lower 3 frets I dont like.
Plus four strings look weird.
5 string necks are more comfertable to me, especially the stingray 5, and the length of a 4 string on especially the lower 3 frets I dont like.
Plus four strings look weird.
Mobay45
Well-known member
adouglas
Well-known member
But real bass players can play 5s.
I sense a smackdown comin' on....
Anyone up for a steel-cage death match?
Mobay45
Well-known member
Mr Light
Well-known member
The True Bass
Hi gang,
I find this to be an interesting thread, as I am glad that most of you are keeping your loyalties with the four-string. My opinion tends to fall along the lines of BP and Stanky in that a fiver is good for an addition splash of color every now and then and for rumble effect (definitely), but other than that, no thank you. But it mainly boils down to the musical taste of the player.
When you think about all of the known bass players, most of them play a four-string almost exclusively (i.e. Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, etc.). I remember when I saw Marcus Miller last year, he touched his Fodera Fretless five-string for about two minutes! The Marcus Miller Signature five-string setup on stage was basically a stage prop. By the way, the low Bs on those things are a joke! (I'm speaking as a previous owner of one).
Anyhow, as one who started on bass as a classical upright bass player, the four string bass is the true bass. For me, the only reason why I own a fiver is in case I luck out and get a pop gig out here in LA that requires that sonic flexibility. Since this is the age of synth bass as well, you never know when---as a working bassist---you might be asked to double a synth bass part, etc. Otherwise, the bass stays in its case. Even when I do take it out to use, I hardly play the low B anyway. So unless someone asks me specifically to bring along the fiver, the four-string is the first one I grab every time!
Hi gang,
I find this to be an interesting thread, as I am glad that most of you are keeping your loyalties with the four-string. My opinion tends to fall along the lines of BP and Stanky in that a fiver is good for an addition splash of color every now and then and for rumble effect (definitely), but other than that, no thank you. But it mainly boils down to the musical taste of the player.
When you think about all of the known bass players, most of them play a four-string almost exclusively (i.e. Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, etc.). I remember when I saw Marcus Miller last year, he touched his Fodera Fretless five-string for about two minutes! The Marcus Miller Signature five-string setup on stage was basically a stage prop.
By the way, the low Bs on those things are a joke! (I'm speaking as a previous owner of one).Anyhow, as one who started on bass as a classical upright bass player, the four string bass is the true bass. For me, the only reason why I own a fiver is in case I luck out and get a pop gig out here in LA that requires that sonic flexibility. Since this is the age of synth bass as well, you never know when---as a working bassist---you might be asked to double a synth bass part, etc. Otherwise, the bass stays in its case. Even when I do take it out to use, I hardly play the low B anyway. So unless someone asks me specifically to bring along the fiver, the four-string is the first one I grab every time!
+1... I am a die hard 4 player at heart but I don't mind playing a 5 when the material calls for it! I prefer to switch as needed as well...
Peace,
T
KennethB
Well-known member
My sentiments pretty much mirrors Mr.Light's on this issue. But I have hipshots on my 4-strings and I find them very useful since I can go into drop-D tuning at any time. I've owned a 5-sting in the past. Same brand and very close to the model that Mr.Light had and I have to agree about the B-string being a joke. I felt bad for the guy I sold it to. I felt that I fooled him.
Tried a Stingray5 a couple of months ago and it was a different ballgame. A magnificent instrument. A true 5-string. So at this point since I allready have two 4-strings, I'm thinking more and more that my next EBMM will be a 5-string. By coincidence the 20th ann. SR5 is just around the corner so there you go...
Tried a Stingray5 a couple of months ago and it was a different ballgame. A magnificent instrument. A true 5-string. So at this point since I allready have two 4-strings, I'm thinking more and more that my next EBMM will be a 5-string. By coincidence the 20th ann. SR5 is just around the corner so there you go...
