Hello again, Question about string tension on Tenor tuning

[easy]

Howdy,  
 
 I've been experimenting with the tuning A,D,G,C on my long scale Elan with great results. I pushed it again with light gauge strings, .025 being the lightest, and tuning D,G,C,F. I love the tuning but now the tight string tension is hindering bending techniques.  
 My question is... would a medium scale bass like a Spoiler make a big enough difference in the tension to justify the purchase of one?
 
Thank You! Eric

[pacificshine]

Your DGCF tuning is almost piccolo tuning (EADG) and will not work properly on a long scale.  A medium scale would be better, but short scale (30.75) would be ideal.  I have used tenor tuning on a 32 Spoiler but have not experimented with piccolo tuning.  I would call the factory to get advice.

[easy]

Thank you for your response pacificshine, I thought of going this exteme because it seemed to me that Waymen Tisdale was using a-f on his 5 string. Seeing him live, he was getting a higher tuning than my original a,d,g,c. I know a short scale would be best but used Browns and SCs are out of my price range. I do have a spoiler fretless I may have to try. Strings start adding up in cost and was hoping for any info before I spent more bucks. Besides, the frettless neck would not give me the most accurate demonstration.

[David Houck]

A cheap test.  Tune the strings down a half step from D,G,C,F to Db,Gb,Cb,Fb.  Now put a capo on the 1st fret.  You know have a 32 bass tuned D,G,C,F.  Not exactly the same thing, but it might help some in determining the difference in tension.

[easy]

Interesting. If a capo would hold those puppies down, it might help. I wonder if it would have the effect of moving the anchor point from the tuner peg to the first fret? Anyway, I'll have to borrow a capo and try it...Thank you.

[mario_farufyno]

To try such high pitch, I would certanly prefer to use Piccolo Strings one step detuned in a regular long scale bass (34). You'll bend them like rubber band...
 
(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on January 29, 2009)

[easy]

Thanks Mario, I like the tone and timbre of a tenor bass and wonder if piccolo strings might change this quality. Still, I'm into experimentation.
Where could I buy them?
P.S. I'm going to try to borrow a capo tonight...I'll let you all know how that goes.

[pierreyves]

my sound with tenor tuning:
 
tenor bass sound

[easy]

Cool Dude.

[easy]

I tried the capo Dave and it did not loosen the tension. I'll string up my Spoiler fretless and see how that goes. I suppose the inevitable conclusion will be a short scale bass if I want a tuning of d,g,c,f.  
 
(Message edited by easy on January 29, 2009)

[jazzyvee]

That tenor sound  is great. Pierreyves.
I may try that on my signature bass.
What strings do you use?
 
Jazzyvee

[pierreyves]

only d'Addario EXL 170 M with 0.32 for C

[pacificshine]

What the capo experiment proves is that lowering the pitch 1/2 step did not reduce the string tension as much as you hoped.  You may find that going to a short scale, the tension might still not be quite as you expect, so the solution is to use Piccolo strings (20-32-42-52), like the D'Addario Round Wound set which is under $20, cheap enough to experiment with until you know what you want. With Piccolo strings you may find that even a medium scale can give you the results you want.

[mario_farufyno]

Eric, I don't know where you can find them, but I found Long Scale Piccolo Set at GHS's site on Internet. They have links to on line stores as well and I'm pretty shure you will be able to find them easy.
 
www.ghsstrings.com
 
(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on January 30, 2009)

[easy]

Thanks to all, I will seek out piccolo strings and try them. At the very least I might like them for different musical applications.