Setup for good Intonation / Tone in Drop Tuning

atskade · Newbie Alert Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

My band has recently downtuned to Drop C.

I'm playing on an Aerodyne J and have had trouble with my low C. I have fooled around with my bridge / action/ and trus rod quite a bit... but can't maintain good tone and pitch on the higher frets of my low C string.

I am still slightly sharp starting at the 7th fret and up, but it's enough to put up with. My main concern is the significant tone loss.

What should I try? More relief on the neck?

Thanks in advance,

Kade

Ankhanu · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:25 am Post subject:

Heavier string gauge might help, then a complete setup job.

Bass Jedi · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:12 am Post subject:

A heavier string gauge will help with the tone loss a little bit, and maybe the tautness of the strings, but not the intonation issue. It will never be perfect because your bass was intonated when it was tuned to a standard pitch. When you drop that E all the way down to a C, the string, although hardly noticeable, it going to be longer and therefore throws off the intonation. Best bet, get a 5-string or get a 5-string set of strings and use the B-E-A-D strings on your bass. Ever wonder how Robbie Merril or Tim Comerford can hit that low C note and it is just as clear. tight, and focused as can be? This really applies to Robbie Merril. When he is playing a song out of C, he tunes the B string up to a C and that is how he has such killer control down there in the basement. I know this from experience.