How to Go Low on a 4-string Bass
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Check how to go low on a 4-string bass. Jump to 4:18 for the full play through with the Bass in Drop A#
In this video I show you how I took an Ibanez BTB200 4-string bass, chucked some heavy guage strings on and tuned it down to Drop A#. Plus, I cover the bass processing I used to get the dirty bass tone.
0:00 – Welcome
0:42 – The Bass I found
1:20 – Virtual Bass vs Real Bass
2:30 – The Setup on the Bass
2:41 – Strings Used
4:17 – Full Playthrough with Bass in Mix
5:50 – The Bass Processing Chain in my DAW
7:26 – Thanks for Watching!
Guitar: Ibanez BTB200 4-string Bass
Tuning: Drop A#
Amp Sim: STL AmpHub
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#4string #Bass
Originally posted by UC9lJksDZed48S1LkLRtR3Jg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqWW4Mk1mXE
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Thank you for this video.
I have an Ibanez GSR200 (34 inch scale length) with stock .045-.105 strings.
I will be using it mainly for Drop A tuning. Could you please give me advice on what strings I should use and if it needs filing?
Thanks in advance!
I think everything you said in this video should be taken with a pinch of salt. While you give a good starting point for someone who knows nothing about downtuning, everyone should remember that to each is own. I personnaly love a bright nasty tone and I found that keeping my strings light and my action low is the best way to achieve it. I wouldn't go bigger than a 125 for anything from B to A but that's just me (and the tech that services my instruments is horrified by that actually). I would love to try a 35" bass though, I'm trying to trade one of my 34's for one.
I use the same .145 on my Warlock for A Standard. I got a BC Rich Zombie tuned to Drop G with a .160 low G. It is way too hard to play lol.
I’m pretty new to Bass but I notice at least half of the stuff I want to play along with is tuned down. I put D’Addario Chome flatwounds on my Squier Affinity (PJ) and I have a 5th string because I bought the 5 string set by mistake. Should I put the .132 B-string on and move the other strings down, losing the original G? If I do that, will I have to mess with the Nut or could I get away with just re-stringing the larger gauges and adjusting the truss rod and the action?
So , it's okay to tune my E A D G to B E A D ? Nice
can you tune the .145 gauge string back up to E1 when you need or is it too much tension ???
Thanks for the vid, helpful! You think I can use a 34in bass for drop C tuning, with a B string?
Try using a GhS…BEAD set
Loved this video. just found you by sheer accident, but I'm glad i did. This is super helpful and finally I can stop fighting with my 5 string bass and go back to using my 4 string for lower tunings. You sir, are a life saver. don't stop what you're doing, your videos are awesome !!!!
Great info brother and sick track you e written, deep and melodic!!
Hi Gary.
What about the levels of the strings? I mean – isn't the E string louder than the rest? Or it's not an issue at all?
Thanks.
I’d love for you to go down to at least a low G, a drop G, or even a low G tuned in fifths, like a violin or a mandolin.
When you say tune down do you mean BEAD or say BF#BE?
Shit… F*** You got the like the sub, what more do you want? My soul?
DR DDTs… medium or heavy gauge for tuning a whole step down
Sick video!!!!! I have a 34" Ibanez SR405EQM 5 string that I keep a 125-40 gauge set on, normally keep it in A standard/drop G… i definitely want to go thicker haha, maybe a 165 on the lowest string, my 4 string is where it gets interesting, its a 34" Rogue LX200B PJ bass… I ordered custom Newtone strings gauges
0.067
0.094
0.130
0.200
For drop D an octave down, D0 A0 D1 G1, I had to drill out the bridge for the lowest string to get it to fit, thankfully I ordered tapered strings so intonation was a breeze… it barely fit in the tuners but it somehow did without issues. Keep up the great work!
I need to know which models of extended scale (35 inches or maybe more) i can obtain around the $500, like that ibanez, or maybe a little bit mor expensive
Main is guitar since I was 11 but wanted a bass to play and record with. Purchased a Fender Mustang. I would recommend this to use when 3,4,5x tracking. It is smaller; and puts out a higher register that’s INSANELY clean. Just burry it way under your drop and it will really make the bass cut through.
I wanted a real bass. and really wanted the Ergodyne. Found it clearances back in 2010. Was still $1k clearance back then! ???? It’s the newer model to want you have. Love this thing! Plays so effortlessly. Thanks for the vid.
I keep my 2 main basses in A0 and G#0 (Mostly for Tallah covers). It's a custom 35 inch 5 string and I run a 150 set, but for anything lower, I have a 4 string bass in F#0 and sometimes Drop E0, and it;s a 38 inch scale fretless. The clarity difference between a 34 inch and a 35 bass with a 150 is huge, and everything else on them is identical specs, and i would know, i bould them all. identical construction, 5 piece maple, walnut necks, ash and walnut bodies, same exact G5 pickups, same brand of strings. same for the giant fretless but being a fretless bass if anything you;d expect LESS clarity, and it;s clear as a bell down to F0 and still audible in E0. I have tried D0 but it sounds like whale farts, so i think we're just pushing the limit of human hearing rather than the instrument. it;s still playable tight in D with the 185.
I was going to do this, but my Ibanez SR series 5 string necks are pretty narrow as is.
I currently have my 5-string setup with a 45-130 gauge but I definitely want to see if I can reach a low F comfortably for a lot of the stuff I play without having to break the bank for a Dingwall (yet) and without sacrificing sound quality. Would I also have to buy the single 145 string and see a luthier or would something not as thick do the trick like a 50-135 gauge range?
So stoked I found this and that you're South African! I've been calling every store in Cape Town to find the exact 145 string you're using and noone has it. Please give me a lead on where you found it in SA?
You can tune any guitar or bass to whatever you want you just have to consider the string gauges and truss rod tension, kick ass info dude thanks for making a video on this!
Very cool video!
I use Circle-K (Kalium these days,) starting with a monster .254 (a hair wider than the flats of a pencil!) The goal is insane C0 Standard tuning starting at 16.35Hz with the tension at 35 foot pounds, technically making my strings ultra-lights.
I'm waiting on a Quake with a 39.55" scale length. My abnormally low tuning will sound more natural with smaller (and longer) strings. Can't wait to explore the harmonics on that beast!
The song you played the demo was great! Cool video, Gary.
love the videos gary, thanks for great detailed info your vids were in my suggested but am now subbed awesome work bro all the best to you
A four string bass can hold and keep that low tunings????
very proffesional… greetings from Peru
I tried AEAD on 32" scale length (yes, I know I challenge myself too much) using .145, .105, .085 and .065 gauges. Strangely the .145 in A just goes "brrrr" with the low tension. Tuned up to a B or a C it starts to sound better, but even then it is still muddy and "wooden", muffled. With a .165 it's tighter but sounds even more muffled. Tuning the .105 down to an A sounds surprisingly decent, but practically unplayable at speed. Then a .130 is worst of both worlds for A.
What am I doing wrong? Can it be that the scale to gauge ratio just makes it all too rigid to work with large strings?
I want to tune my standard length fender jazz down to BADG (pretty extreme, I know xD). Right now i'm using a standard .45-105 set, any advice what I could do to balance things out and get the B string to sound a bit more defined / less muddy? Just a thicker B string should be enough yeah?
Are there any alternatives to having the bass modified to fit the thicker strings? Like any specific type of rubber strings and such that have a standard thickness but a good tension to fit a BEAD tuning? I am looking for a good option for BEAD on a 4 String for ages. Thanks in advance!
Careful with the strings you buy. When I went from EADG to BEAD on my bass, I had D'addario NYXLs on, and thought I could just buy a single matching .130 NYXL. Unfortunately, that proved to be a "super long scale" – and I couldn't install it on my 35" bass, it was too thick when it got to the tuning machine! I ended up buying a Harley Benton HQS stainless 5-string set, using only the "bottom" .130 to .065. Even though they are crazy cheap, they're really nice strings!
You say you beefed up the bass for the playthrough. To me it sounds perfect like that, any lower and it would be barely audible. Also, check out D'Addario ProSteels or DR Lo-Riders, both have a 130 B string and are stable down to A standard on a 35" bass
I have that same bass, did the low tunning, bridge bended. Had to find a better bridge. Ibanez bridges suck.
Hey man where can I download this sick demo ????