Low F# = Bass at its bassiest

[HaVIC5]

So in the mail today came my SIT .165 guage low F# string that I kind of bought on a whim. I felt like the high F, while serving me well in some ways, wasn't up to snuff on others (very thin sounding string), so I decided I might try tuning my GT-7 F#BEADGC for a change. It took a while setting the bass up with the new tension distribution, but man oh man, if you've never played a bass with an F# string, I'd suggest you find one (good luck though). All the other notes on the other strings don't even sound like they belong on a bass when you play it. This string is what really makes a bass a bass.

Granted, it definitely does have its difficulties. The electronics don't really matter all too much, at least from what I've tested so far. My ampeg gets a pretty clear tone out of it, nothing amazing, but its not really muddy by any means. The main problem is in string tension. My bass is 34", and even with a string as thick as a suspension bridge cable, the F# string vibrates like crazy. This is what largely gives it more of the muddled sound, not the amp, and I've had to raise the action a bit higher than I would like in order to keep it from rattling against the frets constantly. But man, you should hear it.

In fact, you will, in the morning, I'll make a video. Should be sweet. Any of you all expirement with tunings below B?

[gaslight]

Nope. What Ampeg rig do you have though?

[Mr. Grill]

I like ADGCF. Thats lightweight compared to your 7 stringness.

[Spirit Crusher]

Warwick have the Vampyre which is tuned F#,B,E,A. I really want to play a one of these bad boys, maybe next time in Melbourne. Post some clips of your massive Low F# if your microphone can handle it :thumb:

[Charlie Manson]

I use EADG I haven't tryed your way yet

[rh15951]

I used to tune my 5 string to ADADG with a .140 guage low A but that's it.

[Radiobass81]

Never liked anything below D on the B string, although it's been growing on me.

[Akira]

While the F definitely is thinner than I would like, I don't even use the B string that much. I would have no use for an F#.

[Son of Magni]

I'm still waiting for my SIT .165 to come in the mail for my 9-string :(

[Sablate McNuff]

I think I'm going to tune up my schecter F# - G and use it live for some serious rocking out.

\m/ (-.-) \m/

How much are SIT's strings anyway?

[Son of Magni]

I think I'm going to tune up my schecter F# - G and use it live for some serious rocking out.

\m/ (-.-) \m/

How much are SIT's strings anyway?

Go to the Conklin site and they're under accessories I think.

[The JoZ]

My 4 string is strung in a low ADGC most of the time, though recently I dropped it to G#-C#-F#-B. .145 gauge on the lowest string.

I experimented with F#-B-E-A on that bass a while back, my band mates wanted me to attempt to do a "bass drop" during a breakdown, by hitting a low B on the F# string, and downsliding really slowly. It kinda worked, but I didn't get nearly enough power out of it for me to like it...

Damn 10" speakers.

[thelowsoundofbass]

I'm still waiting for my SIT .165 to come in the mail for my 9-string :(

Get a .195 as well and have a low C#.

lowsound

[HaVIC5]

Well, recording this thing has been annoying. All i have right now is the built-in laptop mic for my computer, and all the low notes sound like is clanking - no substance whatsoever. Oh well.

I would actually seriously consider buying a .195 and string it up to F#, because that would eliminate all the annoying flopping. I tuned up the F# to a B and it was the best feeling B string I'd ever played in my life - plenty of tension, and a tight and focused sound.

[Son of Magni]

Yeah, well I get the 165 and it's not much of an improvement. But it's usable. I'm seriously thinking about restringing as BEADGCFBbEb.

[EADG]

.195 would be pretty thick for an F# amirite? Aren't there other gauges? I think I've seen a .180 before.

While the tension might be good with a .195 tuned up to F#, wouldn't the huge string throw you off a little? The jump from .130 or whatever to .195 is pretty huge.

[FunkMetalBass]

Well, I'm going to join the SIT .165 club also, except mine will be going on a 35" scale bass, so it should be a bit tighter and less floppy than havic's.

[HaVIC5]

Yeah, I know 195 would be thick, but I haven't seen anything else heavier than 165. 180 would be ideal for a 34". 165 would work really well on a longer scale, its just than I'm stuck here with a scale that really isn't ideal for it.

[FunkMetalBass]

Yeah, I know 195 would be thick, but I haven't seen anything else heavier than 165. 180 would be ideal for a 34". 165 would work really well on a longer scale, its just than I'm stuck here with a scale that really isn't ideal for it.

I don't know how Conklin's Snakeskins can get away with a .150 F#...

[HaVIC5]

I don't know how Conklin's Snakeskins can get away with a .150 F#...
I was actually afraid that the 165 would be too thick. Silly me.

[EADG]

I don't know how Conklin's Snakeskins can get away with a .150 F#...


Fanned fretboard = long scale on the F# string

[EADG]

Yeah, I know 195 would be thick, but I haven't seen anything else heavier than 165. 180 would be ideal for a 34". 165 would work really well on a longer scale, its just than I'm stuck here with a scale that really isn't ideal for it.


You could ask some erb players like Jean Baudin, Garry Goodman, Stew McKinsey where you can get F# strings and shop around a little, I'm sure some gauge between .165 and .195 (or whatever a typical C# is) exists.

[CthulhuDan]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K57w9pdJPnY

[Akira]

Fanned fretboard = long scale on the F# string

But Conklins I've seen don't have fanned frets...

[HaVIC5]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K57w9pdJPnY

I prefer my bass playing not to sound like balls, thank you very much.

[HaVIC5]

My 4 string is strung in a low ADGC most of the time, though recently I dropped it to G#-C#-F#-B. .145 gauge on the lowest string.

I experimented with F#-B-E-A on that bass a while back, my band mates wanted me to attempt to do a "bass drop" during a breakdown, by hitting a low B on the F# string, and downsliding really slowly. It kinda worked, but I didn't get nearly enough power out of it for me to like it...

Damn 10" speakers.
At 145, I doubt that it was the speakers as much as the string. Right now 165 and sky high action is only just cutting it.

[WhoDidTheElf]

I played one of those warwicks at GC through an Ampeg SVT Pro-3 into an Accugroove Whappo Grande. The only words to describe it is like, bowel movements. The low F was just thunderous.

Other than that it the bass was kinda meh.

[BassVirtuoso]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K57w9pdJPnY

Click click click click fretbuzz ruuuuun click click click duckish noise click click fretbuzz.

Oops sorry forgot tabs were illegal.

[HaVIC5]

+1 for hilarity.

[The JoZ]

At 145, I doubt that it was the speakers as much as the string. Right now 165 and sky high action is only just cutting it.

Well, I suppose, I mean. I haven't had a chance to try anything else.

I know for a fact that the .145 is an awesome A string, and even at G# functions well.

Gets real muddy past G#...

[HaVIC5]

What kind of string is your 145? Seeing as 165 worked pretty awesomely as a B string (maybe a little too taught, but still very awesome), a 145 would likely be a great choice for a B.

[The JoZ]

What kind of string is your 145? Seeing as 165 worked pretty awesomely as a B string (maybe a little too taught, but still very awesome), a 145 would likely be a great choice for a B.


In terms of brand? A D'Addario.

It's certainly a nice, tight B as well. I kinda worry about keeping it at a B for too long, admittedly, but it's without a doubt a tight B.

[EADG]

But Conklins I've seen don't have fanned frets...


You don't need to play a Conklin to use Conklin strings


also, some Conklins have fanned frets

[Akira]

You shouldn't use Conklin strings whether or not you play a Conklin.
Overpriced strings FTL.

[HaVIC5]

You shouldn't use Conklin strings whether or not you play a Conklin.
Overpriced strings FTL.
They're overpriced, yes, but they're SIT, and they make some damn fine strings. So yeah, you're paying like 70 dollars for a set of 7-string strings, but you're getting something good, AND its in guages that you won't find anywhere else.

[rh15951]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=K57w9pdJPnY

That guy is ****ing cack.

[Peterwgw]

That guy is ****ing cack.

he just seems to be making clicky noises

[Mr. Tamzarian]

I was just looking around the Conklin site at the 9-strings. Do they even have strap buttons?

[EADG]

I was just looking around the Conklin site at the 9-strings. Do they even have strap buttons?


No, they have inputs for a strap lock system