Tuning a 4003 down one step

[Knork]

Some bands take drop tuning too far. I auditioned with a group whose guitarist played in "drop C." It just seemed silly to me. I swear I'm going to come across a band sometime in my life that plays in "drop E." Actually, I read a post on a different forum where a guy was asking if, since his bass player was sick and couldn't make it to practice, he should get one of his three guitarists to drop an octave to try to simulate bass!

probably numetal dudes. weirdos.

Any time you change strings your bass will need a neck adjustment

Woah isn't that a bit excessive? I mean for neck adjustment I would bring it to a luthier but I wouldn't want to do that every time I change strings.

Thanks a lot, guys. I guess I save some money for a second Rick then. Keep one on E and set the other in D. Or one day I even might find a 4008....

[coolingitdown]

Any time you change strings your bass will need a neck adjustment

Woah isn't that a bit excessive? I mean for neck adjustment I would bring it to a luthier but I wouldn't want to do that every time I change strings.

Thanks a lot, guys. I guess I save some money for a second Rick then. Keep one on E and set the other in D. Or one day I even might find a 4008....

Just to clarify a bit...this rule stands in most cases, the exception being when you are changing to an identical set (same brand, gauge, outer wrap, etc...).

And sometimes you get lucky when changing to a different set. I changed from the La Bella flatwound .109 set to the Circle K balanced .112 roundwound set and my neck hardly moved, even after allowing time for the neck to settle in with the new strings. You just have to watch and feel. And maybe take some measurements before and after if you think you'll need them. You can do it!

And yes, 2 Ricks in different tunings is definitely the way to fly!

[Knork]

ah you're talking about changing to a different set of strings, obviously. Could have thought of that myself.

[coolingitdown]

Hey, that's alright! It's all part of learning. We've all had questions like that and "a-ha!" moments at one time or another.

So did you ever get your bass all set up for drop tuning? How'd it go?

[Knork]

No not yet. I really want to avoid it because somehow in my head the Rick is built as it comes, more than any other bass. Which is my amateurish understanding with absolutely no scientific knowledge to back it up. This instrument just feels right the way it is, due to the string tension on the thin and fast neck of my 2010 model. So in rare cases of lower needs I think I'll keep playing the Precision or Stingray that lay around here, too.

Maybe one day when/if I get another Rick I will consider it.

[Red Warrior]

Some bands take drop tuning too far.

+1
I joined an Elton John 'Tribute' Band (When I joined I told them they had to change it to, EJ 'Cover' Band because the singer wasn't the keyboardist, and they did). Anyway, the singer wanted EVERY song done 1 whole step below the original key. This made the vocals sound nothing like Elton's. I quit after about 5 gigs where we were usually not paid or only paid pitchers of beer (I don't drink) and dinner.

[CatHead]

I use the 4001 in drop D every now and then... and have done so for the past 11 or so years and it's never had an issue - 45-105's all the way.

Havent dropped on my 4003 yet as the action is pretty low and I think it could end up sounding like a pen of chickens on steroids with the amount of clacking and clucking it would do that close to the fretboard with reduced string tension...