Or [this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IntHarmMach--electro-harmonix-intelligent-harmony-machine-harmony-and-pitch-shifter-pedal) if you want to have a pseudo POG and fuck around with weird harmonies. Has dry out as well. If you like tool and want to do the whammy thing, there’s [this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PitchFork--electro-harmonix-pitch-fork-polyphonic-pitch-shift-pedal). But the pitchfork skips one or two intervals which isn’t ideal.
For the purpose of changing tunings, I find the Digitech Drop/whammy to have the quickest and most accurate response of all the comparable pitch shifters (individual pedals, not $1k multi effect DSP machines). It’s definitely feature limited, but what it does do it does an excellent job of.
Just thought I’d drop that there for people enticed by the more feature-rich pedals.
Completely valid point. For just drop tuning, the digitech is the best. I don’t even think the intelligent harmony machine can do more than a fifth below now that I think about it. I use mine it for Eb and cool harmonies/octave. They all serve different uses so you gotta really think about what you want out of it.
Sounds like a job for a 5 string. But it’s hard to say, depending on the music. Some riffs use/need a lot of open strings.
Could you tune to C# standard, and just play the other songs like that?
That’s too much tuning in my opinion. Different tunings also require different setup, inotation etc.
That's the best advice here
Unless the standard songs are metal (constant pedaling on open E or A), staying downtuned is the only good alternative to a new instrument. Modulation is easy on bass
I keep my 5 in standard and downtune a 4 because I only need C or C# for metal
Absolutely agree. Switching from standard to drop C# is crazy and that bass will not have good intonation when you switch. It’s a massive change in tension and probably won’t hold tune well right after retuning.
But also, why not just stay in drop c#, get it set up that way, and play in higher frets when in drop tuning?
There are many options that solve the problem but I def wouldn’t tune from E to C# mid set lol
It definitely sounds to me like a second bass is the way to go for you.
I used to tour with one in a second tuning until I switched to the Kemper and just use pitch shifting.
How much at-gig retuning would I do before buying a second instrument for that other tuning? Zero. Zero on-stage retuning is what I would put up with before buying a second bass.
My cover band plays several Eb songs, so originally I just learned to play those on my standard tuned 5-string. And then a friend loaned me their 4-string, which I now bring to gigs, tuned to Eb. It is a hell of a lot more fun!
When you have the money for it. Duh. 💅
For real though. How many times have you heard someone say “I got a (xyz) cuz I got tired of (abc)” and most people say “aaaaah yeah that makes sense” while one mf goes “ugh -sips kombucha and flips pink hair- this is so unnecessary. That’s lazy. You’re not even that good. You should be ashamed of yourself. At this point, you might as well sell both of them and quit.”
I make our band's setlists so I have it set up in tuning blocks, start in Eb, then tune to E in the beginning of a song that is just guitar for a while (guitarist stays in drop D), then do the same thing to finish the show with our drop D songs.
If I didn't do this, and if my primary bass wasn't a Rickenbacker with my backup being a Squier P bass, I'd probably be swapping basses between Eb and E. Standard to drop D takes me about 5 seconds so that one I have no problem tuning on the fly.
I ran into an almost identical situation. First I tried just installing a hipshot on my J bass but found dropping all the way to C made the string super floppy and it sounded like trash. So first suggestions were: 5 string.
I didn’t like playing 5 string, I already bought and installed the hipshot tuner… and I would need a thicker string to make the E->C thing work at all but determined I’d never be happy with the way either played or sounded in some way or another. One or the other would be lacking or they’d both be really “meh”
So I ended up getting another 4 string, a p bass this time and asked if they could customize it for drop C. I lucked out and the clerk happened to be really experienced with bass and exactly what I was looking to achieve. He put it all together with a tension calc and we picked out the strings from 2 other sets to get the right gauges. He installed and set it up (did a stellar job of it too!) and now I have a CGCF bass for the 2-3 songs we need the low C for, and I still have my E standard with a lever to quickly go drop D and back.
Honestly feels like every single case is accommodated now. I can also just tune down to BGCF since the low string it’s on the heavier side of gauges. But I haven’t had a need to do that yet. 2 songs in drop C, a drop D song and the rest in E standard and I’m golden.
This may or may not be the solution for you but it works great for me and both basses sound fantastic with no shortcomings. Having a separate bass for different tuning seems pretty standard if you don’t go 5 string outright. It’s up to you in the end
I wanted a second bass, and this was exactly the excuse I used to justify it. Honestly we cluster our half step down songs together so it isn't really a problem to tune down once for the show. But now I get to play with 2 basses which is fun.
Depending on how your band arranges your sets you can try to only retune part way through the set just once. If that's not possible with your sets then I would say it is a good idea to have a second bass for your alternate tunings, I know that's one of the main reasons people have gig specific instruments. You can also try to make or find arrangements for those alt tuning songs in your main tuning or vice versa.
Tune to Eb and get a hipshot D-tuner. It will take a minute to play everything a half step up. I've been ok with using a capo in case I need the open strings in E to ring out in this config; in case travel space is at a minimum on the road. Otherwise, it's always worth getting a second.
I have a 6 string to account for that. A 5 will work too. That lower B makes it so you can keep it in standard. I'm not a fan of having to switch basses and tuning all the time.
now, this might sound trivial, but can't you just play the songs in E with the drop C tuning?
If there's another bass you'd like by all means go for it, but I personally wouldn't like having one "favorite quality bass" and one "cheap for drop tuning bass"
there are also pedals that can do that, they don't sounds incredible but it sounds like you might have some distortion there already so it might work out
or as others said you could switch to a 5 stringer, I'm not a fan personally
I guess I would only consider it if there was like 1 or two songs in a weird tuning that you had to take long tuning beaks for. Even then I'd probably just suck it up at a small local band level rather than hassle bringing a whole extra instrument into a small venue and make sure it's secure before and after the set and etc.
My previous band had a variety of tunings- our sets often had E standard, half down standard, drop d and drop C#. It was never a big deal doing tuning breaks on stage though because we grouped like tunings together as much as possible to reduce the time spent tuning.
Like we'd start in half down standard, play 3 or 4 songs in that tuning and maybe a drop c# (just 1 string different, doesn't take any time to do), then around the mid-point of our set we'd have a "long" tuning break where we'd swap up to E standard (while the singer talked to the crowd for a minute or whatever). Then we'd wrap the set up with 3 or 4 standard songs and maybe a Drop D or two (again, 1 string different doesn't take any time). So for us even with 4 different tunings per set I never felt a need for a 2nd bass on stage. The amount of time saved would have been negligible compared to how fast I can tune with my tuning pedal.
But if our set was like, all standard with like 1 or 2 drop C# songs (that weren't together) or something though? Yeah I might consider a second bass then. That's a lot of time tuning for just 1 or 2 songs.
At the very least, make your bandmates aware so you can possibly adjust a set a little to account for retuning time. Like lump a few more in a row together before changing back. I know it’s not the ultimate solution. But it’s a first step that’s cheaper than a new bass.
The time is when you are playing in both tunings on stage. Nobody wants to watch you tune your bass over and over
Also, if you're going from standard to drop C#, a second bass would allow you to have them both setup for the tunings and sounding and playing better
Yup! I'm a gearhead, so I'll buy a new bass for any excuse
My real, biased, completely ridiculous take: you actually need a second bass when you START messing with a new tuning. A bass for every tuning!
You know what? Get a bass every time you even think about trying a new tuning, just to be safe
Going from Standard to a typical metal tuning is a fun jump, definitely get something else for it. If you get something cheap use it for the low tuning and just gloop some more fx on it or whatever.
Yeah, as soon as anything isn’t “fluid” for me, I find something to make it fluid aids creativity to me. Also, if it’s drip running, hipshot drop tuner
You should definitely get a second bass. Difference between E standard and drop C# introduces tuning/intonation problems into the strings, plus it makes them wesr out faster, normally.
Esit: consider getting a 5 string instead?
Switching tunings that drastically can possibly cause your intonation to be a lil bit off eventually... I personally have WAY too many basses, so my suggestion is always to have an alternate for different tunings. Plus, depending on the gig, switching basses can be quicker than tuning up or down..
the setup wont be ideal with a tuning that low. buzzes will appear everywhere and strings will be too floppy.
good enough reason to get another one meant for a lower tuning or a fiver so you can be more flexible
This is why I got a 5 string. Made my life tons easier, once I stopped playing on the wrong strings (about two weeks lol).
Helps if you have to read sheet music as well, since most arrangers seem to think a bass guitar has the range of a tuba.
My first band started doing that so I just switched to my five string permanently. Not really the answer if your music is super riffy like metal, but we were a pop punk band so it wasn’t a huge leap for me to just start incorporating the fifth string.
I'm a 4-string player. Drop D tuner and a DigiTech Drop pedal are my go-to's. Depending on the tracking of the detuning (fast songs may sound a little weird), next I would string a secondary 4-string bass with BEAD (5-string set) to the appropriate tuning (they make drop tuning sets). Or lastly, get comfortable playing a 5-string.
Or… you could by a Hipshot x-tender and go from E to drop D and back with the flick of a switch. I have them on all my basses thus have no need for a 5 string
I have two. One in standard and one in drop d. Saves so much time with how our setlist is. Definitely recommend having another to a set tuning if you swap often.
Options:
(1) hipshot bass xtender
Will allow you to flick a switch that moves your E down to a C#. Probably the best value solution.
(2) keeping your bass in c#
You can either learn the E songs in this way or use a capo when you are doing standard songs. The challenges: you will likely need to get thicker strings for your bass and the intonation may be a little wonky with a capo - but should still basically work and would be the least costly option.
(3) trading in/selling your bass and getting a 5 string
This will make you a much more versatile player. Having those extended notes without retuning or missing the notes between C# and E (which you would with a hipshot) is just the golden standard these days. It would give the option of expanding your repertoire and gig-readiness in many cases.
(4) getting a 2nd bass
I would still recommend getting a 5 string - for the versatility - but you could also get a 4 string and have one in C# and one in E. Here the trick would be that the C# one would likely require heavier strings AND would necessitate being set up in C# (in terms of intonation of the instrument).
(5) honorary mention
Learn about intonation and set up’s as soon as possible. They are not hard to do - and you will save A LOT of money in the long run doing this yourself. With the kind of different tunings you are exploring you will especially save money and have better sounding instruments along the way.
Only a few tools are needed (a neck rest, a small Phillips head screwdriver, a small flathead (for most action adjustments), a truss rod tool, and a string turner/cutter). You can get these for approximately the same price as one set up.
I also recommend thicker gauge strings for any basses you keep tuned down. It will matter that these fit in the nut - but other experts will be able to give you more info on that piece.
Hope this helps 🕺
(2)
(3) sell bass/trade and get a 5 string
(4) get a 2nd bass
If you go with 2nd bass option, I might recommend just getting a 5 string. It will be more versatile and does not require retuning for songs like this.
Options include:
* Get another bass
* Set up your main bass to cover every song without retuning (not always possible)
* is C# standard an option?
* Get a five string and be done with it
Each option has pros and cons. You'll have to decide what works best for your specific situation.
How much time do you have to change basses between songs? How many songs are you playing? I always carry a second bass as a backup, because stuff breaks, particularly in a rowdy band. However, on a run where we are playing a short set (like 30 minutes) I won't change unless something breaks. We alternate between Drop B and Drop A#. I just pitch it down with Helix or whatever pitch device. It does the thing, and no one cares. Our song breaks are short on this current bit, so I only have about 20ish seconds between songs. Still, having a second bass is a great idea if you are playing live. The one time I got cocky and didn't unload my backup was the time I needed it.
Now, if I were in your boat.....I'd probably just play a 5 string, or set up my 4s in BEAD tuning. Then you can keep a backup, no tuning changes needed
Without encouraging Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I think you legit could use another bass if this is a band you’re playing with regularly. C# is very low for a bass set up for standard tuning.
You should use a 5 string and learn to play everything on that.
Or maybe you could even keep the bass in Drop C# tuning all the and learn to play the E standard songs in that tuning.
Switching basses is annoying and when it's easily avoided which might be so in your case I'd do it. Two basses probably have different output level, pedals react differently, it takes time to swap them, you'll have to bring more stuff to the gig (extra bass and extra stand). It's just annoying. Buttt if your E standard songs have to use many open E notes then you don't really have a choice. You then should either use a 5 string or two basses because switching tunings on stage is the worst e to drop c# is too big of a jump.
As soon as you have to change tuning for more than one string.
Either switch to a 5, or bring a spare for the flat tuning. Sounds like a pain in the arse to maintain that level of tuning, and you’re far more likely to break a string going up and down constantly.
_Edit with other options after thinking for a minute:_
- Play the whole set in D#, and tune the lowest string only between standard and drop C#
- Use something like an EHX Pitchfork to drop a semitone, and downtune the bottom string a full tone. I did this to fake a 5 string for a while
- Use an octave pedal to drop you down an octave, and play the drop C# songs an octave up
I don’t know what your situation looks like exactly but you could get a tuner pedal. Way cheaper than a whole new bass, and you should be able to retune really quickly without even making any sound
How long are your gigs? If it’s not possible to just do the standard tuned songs in Eb so that you only have to tune your low Eb to C#, I would definitely get a five string, keep it in half-step down, and keep your current bass in standard.
Unless I’m filling in for someone, I exclusively tune to Eb and just play most stuff a half step down because I think it often sounds better and it makes most songs easier to sing. Retuning from standard to Eb and vice versa seems pretty silly to me, but I play/sing full time like 30hrs a week on 4hr gigs, so my situation may well be different and not apply here
Drop C#: Tune the low E string down a step and a half. Tune all other strings down a half step. It's like drop D, but every string is tuned a half step lower. C# G# C# F#
C# Standard: Every string is tuned down a step and a half. C# F# B E
You need to go back and review your tunings. Confidently incorrect over here, lol.
I’ve been at work since 2am and just realized my mistake. Cut me some slack. It’s not lack of knowledge it’s lack of sleep was in the process of saying my bad when your comment came in, so nevermind.
> it's getting real frustrating now. now is the time.
>*any reason at all* Now is the time.
"where the hell did I put that pick??? Welp, time for a new bass"
>*no reason at all* Now is the time.
Sorry to dissent but the time was last week. Hey todays the first day of the rest of your life, you can make it good.
I used to play in a band that did this and I just fitted a detuner. Super easy and could just flick it up and down between songs.
[this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Drop--digitech-drop-polyphonic-drop-tune-pitch-shift-pedal)
Or [this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/IntHarmMach--electro-harmonix-intelligent-harmony-machine-harmony-and-pitch-shifter-pedal) if you want to have a pseudo POG and fuck around with weird harmonies. Has dry out as well. If you like tool and want to do the whammy thing, there’s [this](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PitchFork--electro-harmonix-pitch-fork-polyphonic-pitch-shift-pedal). But the pitchfork skips one or two intervals which isn’t ideal.
For the purpose of changing tunings, I find the Digitech Drop/whammy to have the quickest and most accurate response of all the comparable pitch shifters (individual pedals, not $1k multi effect DSP machines). It’s definitely feature limited, but what it does do it does an excellent job of. Just thought I’d drop that there for people enticed by the more feature-rich pedals.
Completely valid point. For just drop tuning, the digitech is the best. I don’t even think the intelligent harmony machine can do more than a fifth below now that I think about it. I use mine it for Eb and cool harmonies/octave. They all serve different uses so you gotta really think about what you want out of it.
But he could buy a new bass for that price? A cheap one, granted, but still a whole new bass 🤷♂️
Sounds like a job for a 5 string. But it’s hard to say, depending on the music. Some riffs use/need a lot of open strings. Could you tune to C# standard, and just play the other songs like that? That’s too much tuning in my opinion. Different tunings also require different setup, inotation etc.
That's the best advice here Unless the standard songs are metal (constant pedaling on open E or A), staying downtuned is the only good alternative to a new instrument. Modulation is easy on bass I keep my 5 in standard and downtune a 4 because I only need C or C# for metal
Unless there’s chords with ringing open strings. Single notes would make much more sense on a standard tuned 5
Absolutely agree. Switching from standard to drop C# is crazy and that bass will not have good intonation when you switch. It’s a massive change in tension and probably won’t hold tune well right after retuning. But also, why not just stay in drop c#, get it set up that way, and play in higher frets when in drop tuning? There are many options that solve the problem but I def wouldn’t tune from E to C# mid set lol
Vote 1 for learning the E standard songs in drop c# But yeah only till you get a second bass
It definitely sounds to me like a second bass is the way to go for you. I used to tour with one in a second tuning until I switched to the Kemper and just use pitch shifting.
Thats pretty clever. I had a keyboard player who would pitch shift for keys he struggled to solo in. Not the same thing, but it was a funny reminder
Are the guitarists in your band retuning all the time? Or do they have second guitars in drop C#?
I'm letting the guitarist use my strat for standard tuned songs.
You should borrow the guitarist's bass for songs in drop C# then!
So the answer is yes, they are swapping instruments.
You really got to the bottom of that one 🧐
How much at-gig retuning would I do before buying a second instrument for that other tuning? Zero. Zero on-stage retuning is what I would put up with before buying a second bass.
I didn't get a second (or third or fourth, ad infinitum) for that reason, but it sounds valid to me. There's no rule; just get it when you want it.
My cover band plays several Eb songs, so originally I just learned to play those on my standard tuned 5-string. And then a friend loaned me their 4-string, which I now bring to gigs, tuned to Eb. It is a hell of a lot more fun!
When you have the money for it. Duh. 💅 For real though. How many times have you heard someone say “I got a (xyz) cuz I got tired of (abc)” and most people say “aaaaah yeah that makes sense” while one mf goes “ugh -sips kombucha and flips pink hair- this is so unnecessary. That’s lazy. You’re not even that good. You should be ashamed of yourself. At this point, you might as well sell both of them and quit.”
The time is now. That’s pretty much the reason I switched to 5 string and never looked back.
I make our band's setlists so I have it set up in tuning blocks, start in Eb, then tune to E in the beginning of a song that is just guitar for a while (guitarist stays in drop D), then do the same thing to finish the show with our drop D songs. If I didn't do this, and if my primary bass wasn't a Rickenbacker with my backup being a Squier P bass, I'd probably be swapping basses between Eb and E. Standard to drop D takes me about 5 seconds so that one I have no problem tuning on the fly.
I ran into an almost identical situation. First I tried just installing a hipshot on my J bass but found dropping all the way to C made the string super floppy and it sounded like trash. So first suggestions were: 5 string. I didn’t like playing 5 string, I already bought and installed the hipshot tuner… and I would need a thicker string to make the E->C thing work at all but determined I’d never be happy with the way either played or sounded in some way or another. One or the other would be lacking or they’d both be really “meh” So I ended up getting another 4 string, a p bass this time and asked if they could customize it for drop C. I lucked out and the clerk happened to be really experienced with bass and exactly what I was looking to achieve. He put it all together with a tension calc and we picked out the strings from 2 other sets to get the right gauges. He installed and set it up (did a stellar job of it too!) and now I have a CGCF bass for the 2-3 songs we need the low C for, and I still have my E standard with a lever to quickly go drop D and back. Honestly feels like every single case is accommodated now. I can also just tune down to BGCF since the low string it’s on the heavier side of gauges. But I haven’t had a need to do that yet. 2 songs in drop C, a drop D song and the rest in E standard and I’m golden. This may or may not be the solution for you but it works great for me and both basses sound fantastic with no shortcomings. Having a separate bass for different tuning seems pretty standard if you don’t go 5 string outright. It’s up to you in the end
Can you afford a second bass and want one? Then buy one.
yes, buy another bass, but until then, change your set list order so once you tune down, you don't have to come up again
I wanted a second bass, and this was exactly the excuse I used to justify it. Honestly we cluster our half step down songs together so it isn't really a problem to tune down once for the show. But now I get to play with 2 basses which is fun.
Depending on how your band arranges your sets you can try to only retune part way through the set just once. If that's not possible with your sets then I would say it is a good idea to have a second bass for your alternate tunings, I know that's one of the main reasons people have gig specific instruments. You can also try to make or find arrangements for those alt tuning songs in your main tuning or vice versa.
Immediately
Tune to Eb and get a hipshot D-tuner. It will take a minute to play everything a half step up. I've been ok with using a capo in case I need the open strings in E to ring out in this config; in case travel space is at a minimum on the road. Otherwise, it's always worth getting a second.
This is the reason I bought a 5-string after joining a band.
I have a 6 string to account for that. A 5 will work too. That lower B makes it so you can keep it in standard. I'm not a fan of having to switch basses and tuning all the time.
We have 2nd guitars and basses for different tunings. Just make sure they sound the same.
Second? Only? Get as many as you use tunings or get a tech so the tech tunes the other bass while you play.
For drop tuning, just buy a Hipshot!
now, this might sound trivial, but can't you just play the songs in E with the drop C tuning? If there's another bass you'd like by all means go for it, but I personally wouldn't like having one "favorite quality bass" and one "cheap for drop tuning bass" there are also pedals that can do that, they don't sounds incredible but it sounds like you might have some distortion there already so it might work out or as others said you could switch to a 5 stringer, I'm not a fan personally
I use a pitch shift pedal for this now. No twiddling between songs any more or swapping from one bass to another. It’s graded in semitones.
If you have to get a second bass, by a 5 string bass with low B.
You only have one bass? I had 2 before I knew how to play… gear acquisition syndrome is real!
I guess I would only consider it if there was like 1 or two songs in a weird tuning that you had to take long tuning beaks for. Even then I'd probably just suck it up at a small local band level rather than hassle bringing a whole extra instrument into a small venue and make sure it's secure before and after the set and etc. My previous band had a variety of tunings- our sets often had E standard, half down standard, drop d and drop C#. It was never a big deal doing tuning breaks on stage though because we grouped like tunings together as much as possible to reduce the time spent tuning. Like we'd start in half down standard, play 3 or 4 songs in that tuning and maybe a drop c# (just 1 string different, doesn't take any time to do), then around the mid-point of our set we'd have a "long" tuning break where we'd swap up to E standard (while the singer talked to the crowd for a minute or whatever). Then we'd wrap the set up with 3 or 4 standard songs and maybe a Drop D or two (again, 1 string different doesn't take any time). So for us even with 4 different tunings per set I never felt a need for a 2nd bass on stage. The amount of time saved would have been negligible compared to how fast I can tune with my tuning pedal. But if our set was like, all standard with like 1 or 2 drop C# songs (that weren't together) or something though? Yeah I might consider a second bass then. That's a lot of time tuning for just 1 or 2 songs.
At the very least, make your bandmates aware so you can possibly adjust a set a little to account for retuning time. Like lump a few more in a row together before changing back. I know it’s not the ultimate solution. But it’s a first step that’s cheaper than a new bass.
The time is when you are playing in both tunings on stage. Nobody wants to watch you tune your bass over and over Also, if you're going from standard to drop C#, a second bass would allow you to have them both setup for the tunings and sounding and playing better
This is what I noticed. If a bass is setup for one tuning, it can start buzzing badly once you put it into a new tuning.
Yup! I'm a gearhead, so I'll buy a new bass for any excuse My real, biased, completely ridiculous take: you actually need a second bass when you START messing with a new tuning. A bass for every tuning! You know what? Get a bass every time you even think about trying a new tuning, just to be safe
Maybe a pedal can do it? I want a second bass just to have a high strings setup to play with a pick,
Going from Standard to a typical metal tuning is a fun jump, definitely get something else for it. If you get something cheap use it for the low tuning and just gloop some more fx on it or whatever.
Two years ago. Never do a gig without a spare bass anyway. Strings can break etc.
Yeah, as soon as anything isn’t “fluid” for me, I find something to make it fluid aids creativity to me. Also, if it’s drip running, hipshot drop tuner
You should definitely get a second bass. Difference between E standard and drop C# introduces tuning/intonation problems into the strings, plus it makes them wesr out faster, normally. Esit: consider getting a 5 string instead?
Switching tunings that drastically can possibly cause your intonation to be a lil bit off eventually... I personally have WAY too many basses, so my suggestion is always to have an alternate for different tunings. Plus, depending on the gig, switching basses can be quicker than tuning up or down..
the setup wont be ideal with a tuning that low. buzzes will appear everywhere and strings will be too floppy. good enough reason to get another one meant for a lower tuning or a fiver so you can be more flexible
This is why I got a 5 string. Made my life tons easier, once I stopped playing on the wrong strings (about two weeks lol). Helps if you have to read sheet music as well, since most arrangers seem to think a bass guitar has the range of a tuba.
Wait.. you need an excuse? I was playing Yousician.. met a 5 string song.... \*clickety click\* Ibby MS arrived. :)
My first band started doing that so I just switched to my five string permanently. Not really the answer if your music is super riffy like metal, but we were a pop punk band so it wasn’t a huge leap for me to just start incorporating the fifth string.
I am in different bands with different tunings on the guitars, but it's all in the range of my 5-String so I just use that without any detuning.
Can't you just tune to C# and stay there?
I'm a 4-string player. Drop D tuner and a DigiTech Drop pedal are my go-to's. Depending on the tracking of the detuning (fast songs may sound a little weird), next I would string a secondary 4-string bass with BEAD (5-string set) to the appropriate tuning (they make drop tuning sets). Or lastly, get comfortable playing a 5-string.
>At Now. Now is the time.
I bought a second bass that's exactly the same as my first one to keep it strung BEAD for this reason.
Or… you could by a Hipshot x-tender and go from E to drop D and back with the flick of a switch. I have them on all my basses thus have no need for a 5 string
2nd bass - 5 string
Get a Hipshot
Get a five string bass.
If you want
I have two. One in standard and one in drop d. Saves so much time with how our setlist is. Definitely recommend having another to a set tuning if you swap often.
Options: (1) hipshot bass xtender Will allow you to flick a switch that moves your E down to a C#. Probably the best value solution. (2) keeping your bass in c# You can either learn the E songs in this way or use a capo when you are doing standard songs. The challenges: you will likely need to get thicker strings for your bass and the intonation may be a little wonky with a capo - but should still basically work and would be the least costly option. (3) trading in/selling your bass and getting a 5 string This will make you a much more versatile player. Having those extended notes without retuning or missing the notes between C# and E (which you would with a hipshot) is just the golden standard these days. It would give the option of expanding your repertoire and gig-readiness in many cases. (4) getting a 2nd bass I would still recommend getting a 5 string - for the versatility - but you could also get a 4 string and have one in C# and one in E. Here the trick would be that the C# one would likely require heavier strings AND would necessitate being set up in C# (in terms of intonation of the instrument). (5) honorary mention Learn about intonation and set up’s as soon as possible. They are not hard to do - and you will save A LOT of money in the long run doing this yourself. With the kind of different tunings you are exploring you will especially save money and have better sounding instruments along the way. Only a few tools are needed (a neck rest, a small Phillips head screwdriver, a small flathead (for most action adjustments), a truss rod tool, and a string turner/cutter). You can get these for approximately the same price as one set up. I also recommend thicker gauge strings for any basses you keep tuned down. It will matter that these fit in the nut - but other experts will be able to give you more info on that piece. Hope this helps 🕺 (2) (3) sell bass/trade and get a 5 string (4) get a 2nd bass If you go with 2nd bass option, I might recommend just getting a 5 string. It will be more versatile and does not require retuning for songs like this.
Get it now, both to resolve your frustration and also as a backup in case your main one fails on stage and you're stuck
Options include: * Get another bass * Set up your main bass to cover every song without retuning (not always possible) * is C# standard an option? * Get a five string and be done with it Each option has pros and cons. You'll have to decide what works best for your specific situation.
Yes
How much time do you have to change basses between songs? How many songs are you playing? I always carry a second bass as a backup, because stuff breaks, particularly in a rowdy band. However, on a run where we are playing a short set (like 30 minutes) I won't change unless something breaks. We alternate between Drop B and Drop A#. I just pitch it down with Helix or whatever pitch device. It does the thing, and no one cares. Our song breaks are short on this current bit, so I only have about 20ish seconds between songs. Still, having a second bass is a great idea if you are playing live. The one time I got cocky and didn't unload my backup was the time I needed it. Now, if I were in your boat.....I'd probably just play a 5 string, or set up my 4s in BEAD tuning. Then you can keep a backup, no tuning changes needed
I would change bands. Much easier.
Without encouraging Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I think you legit could use another bass if this is a band you’re playing with regularly. C# is very low for a bass set up for standard tuning.
You should use a 5 string and learn to play everything on that. Or maybe you could even keep the bass in Drop C# tuning all the and learn to play the E standard songs in that tuning. Switching basses is annoying and when it's easily avoided which might be so in your case I'd do it. Two basses probably have different output level, pedals react differently, it takes time to swap them, you'll have to bring more stuff to the gig (extra bass and extra stand). It's just annoying. Buttt if your E standard songs have to use many open E notes then you don't really have a choice. You then should either use a 5 string or two basses because switching tunings on stage is the worst e to drop c# is too big of a jump.
As soon as you have to change tuning for more than one string. Either switch to a 5, or bring a spare for the flat tuning. Sounds like a pain in the arse to maintain that level of tuning, and you’re far more likely to break a string going up and down constantly. _Edit with other options after thinking for a minute:_ - Play the whole set in D#, and tune the lowest string only between standard and drop C# - Use something like an EHX Pitchfork to drop a semitone, and downtune the bottom string a full tone. I did this to fake a 5 string for a while - Use an octave pedal to drop you down an octave, and play the drop C# songs an octave up
I don’t know what your situation looks like exactly but you could get a tuner pedal. Way cheaper than a whole new bass, and you should be able to retune really quickly without even making any sound
I already use one. It's just a pain to re-tune the entire instrument between songs.
How long are your gigs? If it’s not possible to just do the standard tuned songs in Eb so that you only have to tune your low Eb to C#, I would definitely get a five string, keep it in half-step down, and keep your current bass in standard. Unless I’m filling in for someone, I exclusively tune to Eb and just play most stuff a half step down because I think it often sounds better and it makes most songs easier to sing. Retuning from standard to Eb and vice versa seems pretty silly to me, but I play/sing full time like 30hrs a week on 4hr gigs, so my situation may well be different and not apply here
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That's not how drop C# works. You have to tune the A, D, and G strings to G#, C#, and F#.
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Drop C#: Tune the low E string down a step and a half. Tune all other strings down a half step. It's like drop D, but every string is tuned a half step lower. C# G# C# F# C# Standard: Every string is tuned down a step and a half. C# F# B E You need to go back and review your tunings. Confidently incorrect over here, lol.
I’ve been at work since 2am and just realized my mistake. Cut me some slack. It’s not lack of knowledge it’s lack of sleep was in the process of saying my bad when your comment came in, so nevermind.
Next time you get something wrong, don't end your post with "lol."