Down tune question

[koogie2k]

OK...my guitar players are really getting into writing with a 7 string. I know I need to tune to B, E, A, D, G....however, I only have 4 bangers. My thought was, put on a set of 5 string bass strings and drop off the G string....or should I just down tune with a heavier gauge string?

Yes, I would love to get a 5 string, but $$$ is an issue right now and out of the question. I don't want to "compromise" with a piece of garbage 5 string bass....it is EBMM all the way or nothing for me...

Thanks.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

My thought was, put on a set of 5 string bass strings and drop off the G string....or should I just down tune with a heavier gauge string?

Isn't that the same thing?

I put a 7 string set on my V but left off the high E and tuned it A-a like the Silo Bass.

 

[adouglas]

You might need to file the nut if you put those strings on. Do you want to do that?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I would say cutting a nut and possibly having to replace it in the future is cheaper than a new bass though...

 

[koogie2k]

Wasn't sure if I had to cut the nut on there....not sure what I am going to do as of yet.....

Pete....got any 5'ers on the wall?

 

[LowDownDave]

I successfully downtune to C with a set of Power Slinkys, so may be possible to get down to a not-too-floppy B. Let me know if you are successful. I've heard of numerous people using 5 string sets on 4 string basses, but as mentioned you may need to file the nut.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Wasn't sure if I had to cut the nut on there....not sure what I am going to do as of yet.....

Pete....got any 5'ers on the wall?

I've got a Medallion Gold 5 HH here... she's a beaut.

Medallion Gold Bongo 5HH #162-44-22-05

 

[Musicman Nut]

Nut Replacement Fix

I would say cutting a nut and possibly having to replace it in the future is cheaper than a new bass though...

Since we're talking about nuts cutting or replacing. I get many emails on this.
NEVER REPLACE a nut again. if you ever file to low or they just wear out, try Baking soda/Powder with crazy glue. It'll become ROCK HARD and then you just recut it and it's like new again, been doing this for years and it works great.

 

[koogie2k]

That's a new one on me....great info man. However, I will not cut the nut....I will let someone else do that.

Pete...prefer black, single H (doesn't matter Sterling, bongo, SR right now) if you happen to have one stashed.

 

[mike not fat]

I use a set of 5 strings minus the G one on my Bongo 4 (.130 to .65). Only needed to adjust the nut for 2 of the strings, and those adjustment were really limited (used some fine sand paper).
That said, it can't be tune properly down to B, because the B string gets to floppy. I tune DGCF, sometimes down to C for the bigger one, but that's the limit.
As far as I know, the bigger neck on a 5 strings also provides the extra tension to allow tuning in B without floppyness.
You need to save money !

MNF

 

[koogie2k]

I use a set of 5 strings minus the G one on my Bongo 4 (.130 to .65). Only needed to adjust the nut for 2 of the strings, and those adjustment were really limited (used some fine sand paper).
That said, it can't be tune properly down to B, because the B string gets to floppy. I tune DGCF, sometimes down to C for the bigger one, but that's the limit.
As far as I know, the bigger neck on a 5 strings also provides the extra tension to allow tuning in B without floppyness.
You need to save money !

MNF

D'oh....that's right! MNF...I did not think of that. Looks like I need to save the $$$ and just buy a 5 banger and be done with it. I totally forgot about the neck tension....thanks man!

Well...off to save the cash.....

 

[adouglas]

Huh? This makes no sense to me.

The neck on a 5 isn't "bigger" in any sense other than that it's wider to accommodate the extra string.

String tension is what it is...for a given note, gauge and scale length it will be identical for any bass no matter how many strings it's got. This is plain basic physics.

A .130 on a 4-banger will have the same tension as the one on my Bongo 5.

You'll have to adjust the trussrod for your BEAD tuning because the overall tension will be different than for a bass tuned EADG.

 

[strummer]

I use a set of 5 strings minus the G one on my Bongo 4 (.130 to .65). Only needed to adjust the nut for 2 of the strings, and those adjustment were really limited (used some fine sand paper).
That said, it can't be tune properly down to B, because the B string gets to floppy. I tune DGCF, sometimes down to C for the bigger one, but that's the limit.
As far as I know, the bigger neck on a 5 strings also provides the extra tension to allow tuning in B without floppyness.
You need to save money !

MNF

Ummm, Mike this sounds real strange...
the 4 heaviest strings in a 5 string set are made to be tuned BEAD on a 34" bass, and the pull of those strings is most often a little less than EADG, so neck isn't an issue. I think you just percieve floppiness because you are used to 4-stringers.

 

[strummer]

I totally forgot about the neck tension....

Good thing too, it's definitely not an issue, Koogs...

 

[xparis001]

anyone ever try BEAD (130-65) tuning on a new stingray with the compensating nut? I'm hoping the filing wouldnt be too complex if it needed it.