6 String Bass Tuning
The six string bass guitar is one of the most common instruments in the world, and as such there are a number of variations on tuning its strings. In this blog post, we hope to give you a brief overview of some common ways to tune your six string bass.
When playing a six-string bass, you have many options for tuning the strings. These options include Drop tuning, Dual Bass Reciprocal(TM) tuning, Scale length, and Neck construction. To learn more about each option, read on! Here are some reasons to consider a six-string bass.
Dual Bass Reciprocal(TM) Tuning
Dual Bass Reciprocal tuning for the bass guitar is a new tuning system for the bass guitar that provides more flexibility and fret real estate. The tuning is designed for group settings and offers multiple locations to play each note. It is available in Medium and Heavy gauge string sets and is a trademark of Stick Enterprises, Inc.
Drop Tuning
Drop tuning is an excellent way to create a deeper sound on your six-string bass. This tuning style is often associated with heavy metal but works well with a clean-play approach. By tuning your bottom string to an octave below standard pitch, you will create a bass note that compliments the clean playing style of the instrument.
Many heavy metal bands are adopting this style of tuning, including Slipknot. The band typically plays in a drop B tuning but has also experimented with drop A. One song released in this tuning is “Psychosocial,” a Grammy-winning riff-fest released on the band’s fourth studio album, All Hope Is Gone.
Another popular method is to drop the tuning of the bass strings one-half step down. This method makes the strings easier to bend. Many guitarists also use this method. It allows the guitarist to play a power chord with a single finger and produces a lower, heavier sound. This tuning is ideal for bassists who want to play their songs’ bass parts without worrying about the guitar’s tuning.
In addition to Drop C tuning, the bass string in a six-string bass can be tuned down to D, which is five steps lower than standard high C. This tuning is perfect for playing heavy metal and blues and can also be used for bends. However, be aware that the lower tuning may result in a higher buzz, so it may be necessary to adjust the tension of the strings to suit the sound you are trying to achieve.
Drop tuning is also commonly used for bass players who want bass with more power. It is also ideal for soloing, as the interval between the 2nd and third strings is preserved. It also makes it easier to form chords.
Scale Length
If you’re a bassist considering buying a 6-string bass, you should know that the tuning on this instrument is a little different than that of a 5-string instrument. The string spacing is also slightly different, as some models have much closer spacing between strings than a four-string bass. This can make it difficult for bassists used to playing a standard five-string bass to adjust to the tuning on a 6-string instrument.
The length of a bass’s scale is the distance from the bridge to the nut. In general, this distance is about 34 inches. However, there are basses with longer scale lengths, but they’re not as expected. Fender’s old Bass V, for example, had a 34-inch scale. The micro GSRM25, on the other hand, has a 28.6-inch scale length.
Modern six-string bass instruments usually have a scale length of around 24 and a half inches. In addition to the standard length, these basses have a C string below the low E string and a B string above the high G string. This is great for massive instruments but may not be appropriate for smaller-necked instruments.
While Antonio De Torres’s scale length was 25.6 inches, it was later copied by other makers. Some luthiers, however, sought a more vast scale to achieve higher volumes. Today, leading makers such as Ramirez use 26-inch scales for their instruments.
The scale length of a six-string bass is generally longer than that of a baritone guitar. This is because the scale of a six-string bass is much larger.
Neck Construction
Neck construction is vital to get the correct intonation. The neck must have sufficient room for the B string to properly tune. Also, if the bridge is too close to the neck, the saddles may not travel far enough, which can affect the intonation of the B string. A good rule of thumb is to back down the saddles by about an eighth inch when they are at their forwardmost point of travel.
The neck construction of a six-string bass is similar to that of a four-string bass but with an additional B0 string and a high C string. This makes the instrument much more versatile than a four-string bass. The neck also has different thicknesses and widths, which requires the fretting hand to get used to.
The amount of neck relief depends on personal preference. In general, the neck relief at the 7th fret should be roughly equal to the diameter of the light-gauge 1st string. To test this, you can use a business card or a feeler gauge to measure the relief on the neck. If you’re unsure how much relief is necessary, use your 1st and 6th strings as straightedges.
The headstock of a bass guitar is the comprehensive portion of the neck where the strings terminate. The headstock is also the location of the tuning pegs, a set of adjusting devices that adjust the tension of the strings. The headstock is made of hard plastic or bone and connects the guitar’s neck to its body.
A six-string bass’s neck construction differs from that of an acoustic bass. A six-string bass will have a wider neck than an acoustic guitar. The nut width of a six-string bass will be about two to three inches, while the body portion of the neck will be slightly longer.
Cost
The cost of 6-string bass tuning can be pretty high. Due to the difference in construction and the fact that they’re not as standard as 4-string basses, they generally cost more to tune. As a result, you’ll have to spend more money to tune and customize the instrument. It can also be harder to learn how to play a 6-string bass than a four-string one.
Professional bassists have their instruments tuned before a show and occasionally during the performance. The sound of a bass depends on how well it’s tuned. Heavy playing and heat can affect the tuning, so it’s essential to have it tuned regularly. If you’re an amateur bassist, you may want to tune your bass at home, but if you’re in a band, you’ll likely want to hire a bass tech to tune your bass. Different string types, windings, and finishes give different tonal characteristics. These differences affect the instrument’s sound and the feel of the fingers.
While six-string bass tuning is more expensive than a four-string bass, the extra strings make the instrument much more durable. However, the strings are much closer together, making it difficult to slap them and more challenging to play with precision. Because of this, it’s essential to know the best way to tune your instrument before you begin playing.
Buying a 6-string bass can be a challenge. Finding a good deal is complex, and bass strings don’t come cheap. It’s essential to consider your options when purchasing a bass because the extra string can help you play more songs.
6 String Bass Tuning
The six string bass guitar is one of the most common instruments in the world, and as such there are a number of variations on tuning its strings. In this blog post, we hope to give you a brief overview of some common ways to tune your six string bass.
When playing a six-string bass, you have many options for tuning the strings. These options include Drop tuning, Dual Bass Reciprocal(TM) tuning, Scale length, and Neck construction. To learn more about each option, read on! Here are some reasons to consider a six-string bass.
Dual Bass Reciprocal(TM) Tuning
Dual Bass Reciprocal tuning for the bass guitar is a new tuning system for the bass guitar that provides more flexibility and fret real estate. The tuning is designed for group settings and offers multiple locations to play each note. It is available in Medium and Heavy gauge string sets and is a trademark of Stick Enterprises, Inc.
Drop Tuning
Drop tuning is an excellent way to create a deeper sound on your six-string bass. This tuning style is often associated with heavy metal but works well with a clean-play approach. By tuning your bottom string to an octave below standard pitch, you will create a bass note that compliments the clean playing style of the instrument.
Many heavy metal bands are adopting this style of tuning, including Slipknot. The band typically plays in a drop B tuning but has also experimented with drop A. One song released in this tuning is “Psychosocial,” a Grammy-winning riff-fest released on the band’s fourth studio album, All Hope Is Gone.
Another popular method is to drop the tuning of the bass strings one-half step down. This method makes the strings easier to bend. Many guitarists also use this method. It allows the guitarist to play a power chord with a single finger and produces a lower, heavier sound. This tuning is ideal for bassists who want to play their songs’ bass parts without worrying about the guitar’s tuning.
In addition to Drop C tuning, the bass string in a six-string bass can be tuned down to D, which is five steps lower than standard high C. This tuning is perfect for playing heavy metal and blues and can also be used for bends. However, be aware that the lower tuning may result in a higher buzz, so it may be necessary to adjust the tension of the strings to suit the sound you are trying to achieve.
Drop tuning is also commonly used for bass players who want bass with more power. It is also ideal for soloing, as the interval between the 2nd and third strings is preserved. It also makes it easier to form chords.
Scale Length
If you’re a bassist considering buying a 6-string bass, you should know that the tuning on this instrument is a little different than that of a 5-string instrument. The string spacing is also slightly different, as some models have much closer spacing between strings than a four-string bass. This can make it difficult for bassists used to playing a standard five-string bass to adjust to the tuning on a 6-string instrument.
The length of a bass’s scale is the distance from the bridge to the nut. In general, this distance is about 34 inches. However, there are basses with longer scale lengths, but they’re not as expected. Fender’s old Bass V, for example, had a 34-inch scale. The micro GSRM25, on the other hand, has a 28.6-inch scale length.
Modern six-string bass instruments usually have a scale length of around 24 and a half inches. In addition to the standard length, these basses have a C string below the low E string and a B string above the high G string. This is great for massive instruments but may not be appropriate for smaller-necked instruments.
While Antonio De Torres’s scale length was 25.6 inches, it was later copied by other makers. Some luthiers, however, sought a more vast scale to achieve higher volumes. Today, leading makers such as Ramirez use 26-inch scales for their instruments.
The scale length of a six-string bass is generally longer than that of a baritone guitar. This is because the scale of a six-string bass is much larger.
Neck Construction
Neck construction is vital to get the correct intonation. The neck must have sufficient room for the B string to properly tune. Also, if the bridge is too close to the neck, the saddles may not travel far enough, which can affect the intonation of the B string. A good rule of thumb is to back down the saddles by about an eighth inch when they are at their forwardmost point of travel.
The neck construction of a six-string bass is similar to that of a four-string bass but with an additional B0 string and a high C string. This makes the instrument much more versatile than a four-string bass. The neck also has different thicknesses and widths, which requires the fretting hand to get used to.
The amount of neck relief depends on personal preference. In general, the neck relief at the 7th fret should be roughly equal to the diameter of the light-gauge 1st string. To test this, you can use a business card or a feeler gauge to measure the relief on the neck. If you’re unsure how much relief is necessary, use your 1st and 6th strings as straightedges.
The headstock of a bass guitar is the comprehensive portion of the neck where the strings terminate. The headstock is also the location of the tuning pegs, a set of adjusting devices that adjust the tension of the strings. The headstock is made of hard plastic or bone and connects the guitar’s neck to its body.
A six-string bass’s neck construction differs from that of an acoustic bass. A six-string bass will have a wider neck than an acoustic guitar. The nut width of a six-string bass will be about two to three inches, while the body portion of the neck will be slightly longer.
Cost
The cost of 6-string bass tuning can be pretty high. Due to the difference in construction and the fact that they’re not as standard as 4-string basses, they generally cost more to tune. As a result, you’ll have to spend more money to tune and customize the instrument. It can also be harder to learn how to play a 6-string bass than a four-string one.
Professional bassists have their instruments tuned before a show and occasionally during the performance. The sound of a bass depends on how well it’s tuned. Heavy playing and heat can affect the tuning, so it’s essential to have it tuned regularly. If you’re an amateur bassist, you may want to tune your bass at home, but if you’re in a band, you’ll likely want to hire a bass tech to tune your bass. Different string types, windings, and finishes give different tonal characteristics. These differences affect the instrument’s sound and the feel of the fingers.
While six-string bass tuning is more expensive than a four-string bass, the extra strings make the instrument much more durable. However, the strings are much closer together, making it difficult to slap them and more challenging to play with precision. Because of this, it’s essential to know the best way to tune your instrument before you begin playing.
Buying a 6-string bass can be a challenge. Finding a good deal is complex, and bass strings don’t come cheap. It’s essential to consider your options when purchasing a bass because the extra string can help you play more songs.
