Topic: How are you tuned? (Read 6460 times)

Basspicker26 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 27, 2009, 10:42:53 AM »

Half step, and sometimes a whole step. In my experiences as of late alot of the gospel songs tend to have bass players playing low Bb's and low A's. Also alot of the gospel producers prefer basses tuned down. Again I'm only speaking from my personal experiences.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #21 on:** July 27, 2009, 02:07:08 PM »

Quote from: Basspicker26 on July 27, 2009, 10:42:53 AM

Half step, and sometimes a whole step. In my experiences as of late alot of the gospel songs tend to have bass players playing low Bb's and low A's. Also alot of the gospel producers prefer basses tuned down. Again I'm only speaking from my personal experiences.

Man, I hate we didn't make it down to Judah this year, maybe we'll be down that way next year if not sooner. Btw, Pastor Rachel released her first cd project, although the house band didn't play on it. So if you hear or heard it, its not us.

Basspicker26 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 27, 2009, 02:48:27 PM »

Aw man I'm sorry you missed it as well. It was really good. Anyway come on down sometimes so I can get my lesson. I didn't know you played at that church. I'll have to check out the record, oh wait you just said you didn't play on it. Hmmm

cordney · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2009, 05:03:03 PM »

I keep it standard

floaded27 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 27, 2009, 05:24:29 PM »

Quote from: Basspicker26 on July 27, 2009, 10:42:53 AM

Also alot of the gospel producers prefer basses tuned down.

any idea why that might be? that would suck that u could be good enough to get a studio gig, but lose out because ur bass isnt tuned right.

csharp57 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 28, 2009, 10:07:15 PM »

I used to tune down a half step until an experienced, well seasoned bass player asked me why.... I didn't have a really good answer, so I've been using standard tuning ever since.

rEaLiTy|cHecK · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2009, 10:13:42 AM »

^that's interesting because i used to tune standard, and i asked myself "why", and i tuned flat from then on LOL

jivejong · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:51:05 PM »

I'd rather tune it to standard. Some churches actually use charts, and tuning to standard reduces the mental steps I have to take to play. If I tuned flat, then I'd have to mentally transpose, making more room for error.

Also, I prefer the sound and feel of a standard tuned bass. Basses tuned to a flat feel a little floppy to me.

sbyrd1978 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2009, 08:57:40 PM »

I tune standard. BEADG. The tension on the strings in standard tuning is what most builders design the specs to fit. The loose tension on the strings when tuned down makes fast finger style playing harder because the response or (vibration speed) of the strings is slower. I remember when I first started playing, gospel songs were always in flat keys. Now, musicians (keyboardist) are playing in natural keys more thanks to the praise and worship movement (all the songs are in E, A, G, and C major etc.)LOL. I used to never be able to do open string licks. Now I can do them all the time. LOL. I can wear em out too. I love standard tuning. Open E sounds better to me than open Eb. Same with open B vs. Bb. I don't know why. It just has a different sound and color. Anyways...that's my 2 cents. LOL. Play whatever you prefer though. Just make sure you praise the Lord!!! Amen

superjaay · « **Reply #29 on:** August 03, 2009, 01:16:16 PM »

Standard for me. I don't know enough yet to change things. But I get the feeling that reading the post from others on the site will bring me up to speed very quickly.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:52:25 PM »

I keep my bass in standard tuning (B/E/A/D/G), but my guitars are tuned to Eb.

Hotsticks1 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 05, 2009, 02:33:49 AM »

Man flat tune all the way!!! B flat, E flat, A flat, C sharp, F sharp. In most pentecostal churches and a lot of gospel choirs, songs are in the black keys, so I tune flat so I can slide into my open strings...Not to mention I like the looseness of the tension on the strings...It gives me more power over the strings...and who doesn't love the rumble of a low b flat...oooowwwweeee!!!!!!!!!! Also it's better for the bassists that use harmonics in their licks...You have major and minor harmonics for all your open strings plus and major harmonics for a half step up which is standard tuning...

organman88 · « **Reply #32 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:35:18 PM »

Quote from: 6stringapprentice on July 22, 2009, 10:27:13 PM

I am about to rotate strings tonight or tomorrow and I am wondering how you guys are tuning. I think I am the only bassist in this area still tuned to Standard BEADGC. Everyone else is tuned a half step down.

bass players still tune the standard BEADGC just gospel player flat tune cuz gospel song are mostly in the flats\sharps

webster808 · « **Reply #33 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:44:20 PM »

Quote from: Hotsticks1 on August 05, 2009, 02:33:49 AM

Man flat tune all the way!!! B flat, E flat, A flat, C sharp, F sharp. In most pentecostal churches and a lot of gospel choirs, songs are in the black keys, so I tune flat so I can slide into my open strings...Not to mention I like the looseness of the tension on the strings...It gives me more power over the strings...and who doesn't love the rumble of a low b flat...oooowwwweeee!!!!!!!!!! Also it's better for the bassists that use harmonics in their licks...You have major and minor harmonics for all your open strings plus and major harmonics for a half step up which is standard tuning...

hmmm i might actually try that...

1fire-starter · « **Reply #34 on:** September 06, 2009, 02:33:11 PM »

I have all my basses tuned a WHOLE step down. I love the fact that I have the low b flat and e flat at the first fret. As far as tension goes, you can adj your bass via the truss rod or bridge to your desired feel if you know how. The cons to this, It takes a while to get used to the fretboard again because all of the notes have shifted up two frets. I am still getting used to it.

Asahel · « **Reply #35 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:10:22 PM »

Standard tuning on my Squiers 5 & 4 strings; 1/2 step down on my Ibanez 4.

malthumb · « **Reply #36 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:37:55 PM »

Straight standard. My 5ers are BEADG and my 4s are EADG

dhagler · « **Reply #37 on:** September 07, 2009, 12:51:37 AM »

Quote from: malthumb on September 06, 2009, 09:37:55 PM

Straight standard. My 5ers are BEADG and my 4s are EADG

+1

manutabora · « **Reply #38 on:** September 07, 2009, 01:37:56 AM »

I tune standard.
Honestly, if you're going to try to have open strings for all flat keys, there's no end to that... Soon enough you'll run into a song in the key of A flat, and then you'll want to tune 3 or 4 half steps down... I guess some people just add more strings, which is fine. For me, I've decided that low B is enough for me. If I have a B flat or A, I just play it higher, nothing wrong with that.

blacklw234 · « **Reply #39 on:** October 28, 2009, 04:19:44 AM »

Just started to tune to flats. It is actually a good feel. I think I am going to start using DR low riders while tuned to flat because the string tension is stiffer than Hi beams. Learned i can do a lot more tuned to flats. Actually for those who don't like playing the open string, many gospel songs are played in the key of C#. This alows one to bring that whole C# scale out and not think to hard to find the notes.

Author Topic: How are you tuned? (Read 6460 times)