How low would you go?

[HuxLux]

I am interested to hear some opinions on the lowest note that you believe is still useful, essentially, how low would you go?

I have two main basses, a Dingwall tuned to F#0, and a Fender in E1 — these two notes and the ones in between are where I am expecting most people’s answers to land, but some people might say above or below them!

I would really appreciate an explanation of why you chose a particular note — some talking points could be: loss of punch, loss of clarity, unable to distinguish between other low notes, competing for frequencies with the kick drum, just going lower for the guitarist, etc.

I understand there are many variables, but a general discussion would be much appreciated — I am very interested to hear opinions from my fellow bass players!

 

[el murdoque]

The lowest I go is basically B - as in five or six string in standard tuning. However, I have one bass tuned down a full step, so I chose A0 as my answer.
The A somewhat works, given that you use the right gear for it - but I find very little use - I mainly use the former-B-now-A string from the 5th fret up to have one more string when playing in those positions.

 

[Chris Chong]

A 5-string open B

 

[Nashrakh]

I only have experience with tunings down to F0 (Bongripper, for example), but there's a whole slew of players going even lower (sub-contrabass), like C#0. So it seems possible, in theory at least.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

I play a five because I frequently was looking for Eb in my youth, now, the lowest I've ever needed to go was B0, I use the low B string sparingly and I rarely play open strings.

 

[HuxLux]

I only have experience with tunings down to F0 (Bongripper, for example), but there's a whole slew of players going even lower (sub-contrabass), like C#0. So it seems possible, in theory at least.

Thanks for your response! I like bongripper and am familiar with some other further down tuned bands! I wonder if the bassists would honestly rather they play a little higher, or if they are one of the ones pushing for the tuning to be lowered in the band

 

[johnh89]

Tunes BEAD but rarely go below D1 . Its great to have the D bomb in trad irish tunes in that key .

 

[BaltBass5]

C# is the lowest I tune.
I play 4 String Spector Euros and use 2 at each gig:

Bass 1 - E and Drop D
Bass 2 - Eb and Drop C#

 

[urkel3000]

All my basses are in BEAD, or down a half step from there. A is just too flabby

 

[The Ruiner]

I've tuned down to F#, but that was just for a few moments of a recording. I wouldn't go anywhere near that in a band that plays live. I'm sure it's feasible, but I'm guessing every element of the gear and signal processing used to render such low notes would have to be custom-tailored to make it work consistently.

 

[bassdude51]

Low E 41hz is good enough for me.

Just about most bass cabs can't go any lower than 41hz. So, hearing an honest to god true 30hz low B is gonna be pretty rare.

Even my Klipsch Cornwall IV stereo speakers max at 34hz + or - 4db.

"Whatever floats your boat." with the low end.

 

[BarfanyShart]

My low string is a C now, and I prefer that note as the bottom. I used to tune to drop A on a five string in college, which was useful for the theatre and student composition stuff I was doing in school, and the metal I was play extra-curricularly.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Had a six string bass tuned AEBF#C#G#
Now all three of My sixers just do B0

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Open B. I play 5 string in standard tuning only. As far as I am concerned, plenty of really good music was recorded in standard tuning. The B string handles the low notes just fine.

 

[Esteban Garcia]

I voted B0, but normally don't play that low. C1 and D1 are awfully nice to have, and you need a B string to get them (assuming you want to keep consistent fourths on string crossings).

Lower than that becomes a mushy mess to play and doesn't produce pitch information the ear can readily discern.

 

[InhumanResource]

I am interested to hear some opinions on the lowest note that you believe is still useful, essentially, how low would you go?

I have two main basses, a Dingwall tuned to F#0, and a Fender in E1 — these two notes and the ones in between are where I am expecting most people’s answers to land, but some people might say above or below them!

I would really appreciate an explanation of why you chose a particular note — some talking points could be: loss of punch, loss of clarity, unable to distinguish between other low notes, competing for frequencies with the kick drum, just going lower for the guitarist, etc.

I understand there are many variables, but a general discussion would be much appreciated — I am very interested to hear opinions from my fellow bass players!

I can’t imagine ever needing or wanting to go lower than B1 (which is what I would have voted if it was an option on the poll). Anything beyond that just sounds way too sludgy and flubby to me.

I work a fair amount of gigs as an amateur (almost every weekend) and I’ve been getting by on 4 string only, standard tuning, though I do have occasions where a 5 string is useful. I just hate changing instruments during a gig and the 4 has been working just fine.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I am interested to hear some opinions on the lowest note that you believe is still useful, essentially, how low would you go?

I have two main basses, a Dingwall tuned to F#0, and a Fender in E1 — these two notes and the ones in between are where I am expecting most people’s answers to land, but some people might say above or below them!

I would really appreciate an explanation of why you chose a particular note — some talking points could be: loss of punch, loss of clarity, unable to distinguish between other low notes, competing for frequencies with the kick drum, just going lower for the guitarist, etc.

I understand there are many variables, but a general discussion would be much appreciated — I am very interested to hear opinions from my fellow bass players!

It took me 40 years to use a low B, and now that’s not low enough?? LOL!!

 

[ZachM]

I’ve downtuned to D standard for 15 years now so that's my pick. I do sometimes go to C# standard but only rarely.

I play that way for tonal reasons, but I do find that having the low D negated the "need" for the fifth string for me in 90% of cases, so I eventually stopped playing them (five strings) altogether. When I did, they also got tuned ADGCF for consistency and tone.

 

[RattleSnack]

As Ready-Freddy Washington said, sometime in 80' lots of songs had synth parts, and bassist was required to double down to B0. So, he bought best 5 string bass he could find (Ken Smith). Otherwise, E1 or occasional D1 is low enough.
For me, it depends on the material I am playing. These days I play covers, so I adopt to material and most often E1 is enough. Sometimes B0 and that's how I voted.

 

[HolmeBass]

I voted before reading - and since I only play 4 strings voted E1.

But I think A0 is probably the lowest useful note, and sometimes I tune my E string down a whole step to D1.