Down-tuning a short scale bass. Why? How does it sound? (eg. E flat standard and D standard)

[@BassedInVegas]

As a pro working player I use primarily short scale 4 string bass’s setup as BEAD, strings I use are DR super bright with a 125 low B. My short scale bass’s that are BEAD are 3 short scale Sterling Stingrays, 2 Ibanez Mikro bass’s and 2 of the new Sonic Bronco bass’s. The Stingrays are my gig bass’s. My BEAD strings are not floppy or muddy sounding at all on any of my bass’s. I do own more than a few 34” 5 string bass’s but I much prefer my short scale bass’s these days and all my 4 string 34” scale bass’s are also BEAD. I’ve been doing BEAD on ALL my bass’s for around 20 years and will never go back to standard EADG. Thanks for the great video, Cheers, Davyo

[@jonathanwong458music]

Cool setup! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!

[@BrotherGoode]

I've been debating drop tuning my short scale Mustang bass to BEAD with a different set of strings, but wasn't sure if it would work on a bass with a 30" scale length. I'm going to go for it now, thanks for the info!

[@alexhall2924]

@BassedInVegas DR Super Brights? Is that equivalent to Hi-Beams?

[@PatrickLarson]

@bassedinvegas I'd love to know what strings you use for BEAD on the short scales, and what gauges. Thanks!

[@028fn48dne]

You can restring any bass with any scale to optimize it for any tuning. The only limits are what string gauges are available, and what lengths they're available in. The math is pretty easy to figure out, and both D'Addario and StringJoy will tell you their strings' tension at pitch. String joy will tell you tension at pitch and scale length. Just buy a gauge that gets you a tension similar to what you're used to, but at a lower pitch.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah, unfortunately the market for short scale/string wound lengths in heavier gauges is very limited. I’m sure some companies will make a custom gauge set if you are willing to pay the premium. Hopefully this will improve with increasing consumer demand. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kerryfromaj9032]

Interesting video! As you down tuned exploring tone is why I bought a 5 string active pickup Schecter about 8 months ago. I started learning 6 string electric guitar almost 5 years ago late at age 58. My influences are Link Wray, Duane Eddy, psychobilly, Ramones, Motörhead, hardcore, punk to BB King, John Lee Hooker and Hill Country Blues. A wide variety of tone and techniques from flat picking, fingerstyle and slide guitar. The reason I changed from 4 string bass to 5 is for more tuning options. The muddy loss of articulation in notes… I’m a bass picker learning Ramones, Budgy and Motorhead. Ramones fast down picking is an example of why I use a pick for clearer faster bass. Most of it was ok with 4 string bass but as I started exploring alternative tunings the 5 string really opened up a better experience. I really enjoyed your video today. Take care.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! I also reach for my 5 string (B-G) if I need lower notes. However, there are a few songs where the low notes simply feel and sound better played with open strings, so in those instances, I down-tune a 4 string.

[@markuspakarinen5447]

@@jonathanwong458musicplease, if you don’t mind, what songs could be an example?

[@jonathanwong458music]

@@markuspakarinen5447 Hi! To use my own videos as an example, on this track, I like how the low open D sounds as an open string. The whole bass is tuned down a full step (A-D-G-C-F) - I don’t think I actually use the lowest A string at all, so it's not different than a 4 string tuned a whole step down. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5TRnZimfrGGhMk In contrast, on this track, using the same bass, I preferred it in standard tuning (B-G after capoed), where I only play the occasional note on the low B string. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKkgY18o6t2nbM I think there's a tonal difference. It's subtle, but it changes the feel of the instrument. Hope this helps! jw

[@markuspakarinen5447]

@@jonathanwong458musicthank you so much! I can hear the difference and I think you are right. Only problem for me is that I only have one bass. A Ibanez TMB30 Tlman, short scale. But I have 105 on it at the moment and I can adjust the neck my self. But you are too good, legendary se

[@markuspakarinen5447]

I cant seem to edit my post on the phone, so bad spelling and all. But thanks!

[@entyzst]

Been playing around with Squier Bronco .45-.105 which is faring quite fine up to C I think, for low B just a little too much rattle going, so I'd prefer a larger string gauge for going BEAD, but it's managable with correct picking and some EQ or maybe some additional setup. Actually surprised how well shortscale handle downtuning. Cheers

[@jonathanwong458music]

Very cool! I’d like to have a dedicated D standard short, maybe 110-50! Thanks for watching!

[@sunscapes21]

liked what you did in this video.. subscribed..

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks so much for your support! Much appreciated!

[@TheBassfresh]

I use my gibson sg in a classic rock band tuned down 1/2 step, sounds great. Gibson brite wire strings 45-105.

[@jonathanwong458music]

That sounds awesome! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@loridawn_wotp]

Thank you! Was looking everywhere for this info! I’m going to attempt to dedicate my fender mustang short scale to BEAD. My hands are way too small for a 5 string.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Right on! That's such a cool idea! What I am not sure about, however, is whether a 130 gauge B string will fit through the string-through bridge on a vintage-inspired Mustang. Should fit on a top load bridge on the PJ, for example. Of course, the nut will need to be re-slotted to accommodate the bigger strings. Please let us know how it works out for you!! Thanks for watching!!

[@skrillah6259]

Excellent video well done

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks so much for the idea and for watching it!

[@aj81ds]

Loving your short scale bass videos. As a beginner bass player this video really helps b/c normally like to play in D standard when I sing and play guitar. However since I’m not playing out I’ve just been playing in E standard. So now I’m thinking about taking my shorty to my luthier to get the bass setup properly for D standard. I had already bought some D’addario EXL 160S, medium gauge strings, 50-105 b/c I wanted to know if the shorty would sound better going from 45 to a 50 gauge string on the Low E. I have a question though, if I want to play in Eb would I still need a setup? Also, I notice my Korg Pitchblack pedal and snark clip on tuners does not show the Flat notes, do you know if I am setting it up wrong or will those types of tuners only show the sharp version of the note? Thank you.

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for watching!! Re setup. This would depend on what gauge string you settle on and how wide the nut slot is already. Possible all it needs is to add a smidge of relief in the neck (loosen truss rod) with the lowered tension of downtuning to Eb. If you go to heavier gauges, then you might need to widen the nut slots and adjust the neck. From a practical point of view, I found Eb standard to be weird on my brain, especially when reading. D was easier for me to get used to. My planet waves and TC clips also show flat notes as sharps Eb = D#. And it’s tiny, so can be hard to see on stage. I’m not sure if that setting is changeable. I try not to change much as every time I change the battery I have to remember to change it again. The planet waves model has a finicky battery cover. I rely on the huge screen on my Line6. I can see that from behind the drums!

[@geo0859]

Mine is tuned down to D# etc .. for some songs. Arthrosis ... 🙂🙂

[@jonathanwong458music]

That’s a great tuning! Thx for watching!

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Just love Eb tuning . . .

[@jonathanwong458music]

Is that how you run your basses? Thx for commenting! I think Eb std sounds pretty good on this atelier

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

@@jonathanwong458music I play bass, guitar, ukulele. I love experimenting with alternate tunings. Don't do Eb on a regular basis but now I will thanks to your your video. And yes, on your Atelier it sounds great!

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks so much for watching! Really appreciate your support.

[@paulbucklebuckle4921]

😎

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-wx8wh1zh6p]

this may be a little tactless, but what's the deal with the glove? is it for comfort and sound?

[@jonathanwong458music]

No worries, I get asked all the time. I have a form of dermatomyositis (an autoimmune skin/joint/muscle disease) that has shred apart my finger tips and given me chronic swollen finger joints. The glove keeps the strings from further ripping apart my finger tips. In short, it decreases of pain of playing. In terms of sound, I made a video of that you can check out. It does darken the tone, but it's better than not being able to play. Thanks for watching!

[@user-wx8wh1zh6p]

@@jonathanwong458music thank you for the answer. It really looks like something that gives an interesting sound and some individuality. Hope to get my shorty soon. Thanks for videos!

[@jonathanwong458music]

Thanks for tuning in, man!! Peace

[@michaelblaney4461]

That's my whole problem with short scale basses the strings just don't feel right E flat was ok D was too far.

[@jonathanwong458music]

The floppy lower tension definitely takes some getting used to, for sure. Heavier strings (Eg 110 -50) might make that better, but then it might be too big for the existing nut and may be harder to find in the right length. Thanks for watching!