Sterling bass in Drop B tuning

[jack_]

Hey everyone!

My band's recently down tuned from C# tuning down to Drop B.

I'm using a Sterling bass, and now in Drop B, especially when playing the higher frets (nearest the headstock) the strings seem to ring on the frets alot causing a sort of "tshhhh" sound :S i've tryed increasing the height of the bridge but it isn't helping, was wondering if anyone has had this problem or has any advice?

I would appreciate any advice as i'm really stuck!

Thanks for reading

Take care

Jack x

 

[bovinehost]

Listen, without seeing the bass, it's difficult to diagnose what's going on, but my gut instinct says that your strings, being very loose at this point, are not exerting enough tension to pull your neck into proper relief.

You can try backing off the truss rod a bit. That would be the first and most logical thing to do.

Good luck!

Jack

 

[82Daion]

Get a set of Power Slinkys or similar heavy-gauge strings-that will increase the string tension and help pull the neck back into relief somewhat.

Or you could put the bottom 4 strings of a 5-string set on, and see if that helps.

Good luck.

 

[jack_]

hey,

thanks for the replys, i currently am using and have Power slinkys on the bass, back to the reply about adjusting the truss rod, how should i go about this? would you recommend getting a music shop/technician to do it? or is it a simple procedure?

i've never come across this type of thing before you see,

thanks again

Jack

 

[bovinehost]

To loosen the truss rod - if you're facing the bass, turn the wheel to the LEFT (remember, lefty loosy, righty tighty) about 1/4 turn and then let the neck adjust to the changes.

The truss rod should always be adjusted in small increments and then allow the neck to settle in before more adjustments.

Jack

 

[Kirby]

I agree with Jack. Adjusting the truss rod is very easy on an EB. The trick is never do too much at one time. Left/counter clockwise loosens the truss rod allowing more relief in the neck and right/clockwise tightens the rod decreasing relief in the neck. You should only go a quarter turn each time and check the neck. This will avoid damage to the neck. Loosen the strings when you do this too then bring them back to pitch after you have adjusted the neck.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, by all means take it to your favorite shop and they can do it.

Be careful about using the lower 4 strings from a 5 string set. They may not sit properly in the nut and at times this can actually damage a neck due to uneven stress from the large B string. At least this is what I have read. I personally have never tried it.

Even with all of the adjustments, you still may have buzzing, tuning your E down to B is quite a drop. I cannot imagine the strings would keep enough tension to avoid buzzing.

Just get a 5 string Stingray and your problems will be solved!

 

[Kirby]

Hey Jack,

Looks like you and I were typing responses at the same time!

 

[StingRayzor]

You have yourself in a position that may require some extra adjustments beyond the truss rod, but that should help.

You are going to need to use some heavier strings to maintain any sort of reasonable string tension. I would seriously consider using at least a .125 for a B string. The other thing you may have to consider is getting the nut slot(s) properly cut for strings of that diameter. While a .110 may fit well in the std. nut, a .125 will need extra space to seat properly and make the bass playable within the first 5 frets.

I would suggest that you get a professional to set your bass up for such a playing style. Are you going to string the bass BADG or BEAD?

 

[jack_]

thank you for all of your replys, this has put my mind to rest a bit, to ensure i don't damage my bass at all - i'm going to see if my local music store will make the adjustments to my truss rod.

thanks once more, everyone on this forum really is too nice and helpful

i'll be sure to post up the results from this in the next day or so!

Jack

 

[jack_]

ok, so my local music store said they "didn't do that sort of thing" when i asked them about the trussrod etc. and explained my story.

I'm going to try adjusting the trussroad myself, is this a wise move?

Doe's anyone have any hint/tips/suggestions before i try?

Also, what do i adjust the trussroad with, is there a certain tool i need?

Thanks guys

 

[Kirby]

I cannot believe a music store said they did not do that kind of thing! What kind of a place is this? That is the most basic of adjustments. I would seriously consider finding another music store to support with your money in the future if that is how they are going to treat you.

If you do it youself, just have patience. A quarter of a turn each time and give it 20-30 minutes of play time to settle in and repeat if necessary. No special tools needed. That is the beauty of the EB truss rod. I personally use an allen wrench that fits into the hole.

 

[jack_]

thanks for the reply - means so much, everyone really does look out for each other on these forums - it's the best!

but yeah that music store will not be seeing me any time soon.

as for the trussrod, i've just ran through the FAQ on the EB site and it touches upon trussroad adjustment a few times on their, i've followed the steps but thing's just feel wrong, so i'm going to go to a music store that i know is a national business therefore should be able to help me, i'm going to ring them up first thing tomorrow to see if they can help me.

i'll post back tomorrow with any news.

thanks once more - it means alot

 

[mike not fat]

hi jack,

I play my Bongo dropped a whole step down (DGCF).

To avoid noises due to strings being too loose, I strung my bass with the 4 bigger strings of a 5 strings set (.65 - .130).

I didn' notice anything wrong with the neck, and i'm able to have a very low action without fret buzz. As far as I know, the neck of the Bongo is a bit bigger then the Sterling neck. For the nut, I had to do minor adjustment with sandpaper for the G and F strings (D and C fitted perfectly in).

I can drop the bigger string down to C, without problems, but bringing it to B is hard because the string really feels loosy and produces some noise.

Maybe if you try with the 4 strings of a 5 strings PowerSlinky set (the bigger one will be .135), you'll be able to manage that.

You'll need to adjust the neck with the trussroad, to lower the saddles and the pick-ups, maybe also to do some intonation adjustment.

MNF

 

[bassmonkey]

Hey Jack, save your cash. PM me your email address and I will fire off a really good PDF file on setup and adjustment. One of the guys on the forum passed it onto me. I do all my own stuff now. Alternatively, if you can get up to Newcastle I will walk you through the process.

 

[high mileage]

Good advice so far. I was using my J-Bass tuned down 1/2 step and that small change even needed a little bit of truss rod adjustment. Going down a fourth from E to B will take some work as you can see. My bass's neck is probably not quite as stable as yours but the Sterling neck is a pretty small profile too.

Take your time, don't do more than 1/4 turn to let the neck settle into that adjustment. 1/4 turn per day is probably overly conservative but no harm in that. And yes - loosen the strings before adjusting the truss rod. Seen those basses on ebay with stripped rods? This is probably the #1 cause...

Truss rod adjustment is part of a basic setup. If they can't do that then at least they didn't try!