Drop C Tuning, Stingray

[shipoopi]

Hi!

I have a Stingray 4. Since a few weeks, I play in a new band (Style: Tool, Isis, Neurosis,..) where the guitarplayers are playing with a drop C tuning. I am thinking to do the same with my stingray. Has someone experience by doing this? How will it affect the sound? Will it be very blurry, or has it still a good definition? I use an Ampeg SVT4 Pro amp. Thanks a lot!

 

[MrMusashi]

if you decide to do it you should probably consider a thicker set of strings, or else the strings will just flap back and forth because there is no tension on it
it could mean problems with fitting in the nut also, but a good repairman should be able to take care of that for ya.
perhaps you should check out a sr5 or bongo5 instead? would allow you to go even lower

hth

MrM

 

[jar546]

Trade in for a 5 string.

Thicker strings may help if they will fit.

C is just too floppy, I know, I've tried it and it does not work well

 

[martin shane]

yeah my guess is even with a heavier gauge string it would still be pretty floppy ... i would consider what the others have already suggested and look into a 5er ...

 

[bovinehost]

It's time to do one of two things:

1. Buy a five string, or -
2. Join a blues band.

Jack

 

[thunder]

important!!!! if you change to a drop c. make sure you get the bass "set up". go to a pro. the bass would need neck adjustments, intination adjustment, and possible nut adjustment (that sounds dirty). failure to do this may result in warped neck, bad action and a busted nut (ha!).

 

[Kristopher]

I play drop C with my Stingray because my cover band decided to throw a few Godsmack songs into the mix. I bought a specialty set of strings, gauges 111-90-75-54 ("Designed for Standard tuning and D tuning"), and the low string is extremely thick but not floppy. I'm pretty good with setup and I have the intonation pretty spot on.

I don't think the strings themselves sound particularly out of this world or anything, I only bought them because the local bass shop had them at half-price discount because no one would buy them otherwise. My band has dropped the Godsmack for now, but if I were to continue with this tuning I'd try a set of Power Slinkys (110-55) next, I bet they work real well.

As far as blur/definition, I personally think a 5-string sounds a bit better, but drop-C on a 4-string does not sound bad. I'd say thick but not too muddy. You really have to try it yourself and see what you think. I'd suggest keeping your old normal-gauge string set as back up if you don't like them, though.

 

[Brim]

SR5 (or Bongo5)...drop C is way too floppy.

 

[spencer]

yeah my guess is even with a heavier gauge string it would still be pretty floppy ... i would consider what the others have already suggested and look into a 5er ...

What? This makes no sense, get a pack of light gauge 5 string, and string the top 4 adjust the neck and its the same as a 5 string except no G

 

[Kristopher]

Well, I've got nothing better to do today. I hope this is cool that I'm providing this mp3 link to my sloppy playing, if not, no biggie.

Here's a bit of drop C jamming on my Stingray: 256k mp3, 1.79MB

 

[SundanceChile]

Well, I've got nothing better to do today. I hope this is cool that I'm providing this mp3 link to my sloppy playing, if not, no biggie.

Here's a bit of drop C jamming on my Stingray: 256k mp3, 1.79MB

I must say that sounds like the bowels of Hell, in the best sense possible. Is that direct or mic'd?

 

[Kristopher]

I must say that sounds like the bowels of Hell, in the best sense possible. Is that direct or mic'd?

Thanks. I went direct. Chain: Whirlwind IMP2 direct box -> mic cord -> Zoom H4 recorder. I probably didn't need the direct box, I could have gone directly into the H4, but for some reason I didn't.