Pitch Shifter

kev451

kev451

Gold Supporting Member
Feb 23, 2014
1,845
3,352
4,571
New Jersey
#1
Hello Talkbass fam, so I’m in a band which plays in C standard, this means my bass is in CGCF. Now I dig the music ALOT. What I don't like is when tuned to C my bass strings feel loose. I’ve tried getting my basses set by a tech to C standard. I’m just not digging the looseness of the strings. I’ve tried using thicker strings but I’m just not a fan of using thick strings. I’d like to use my Fender Roadworn as I LOVE the sound and punch it provides. What I was told to try was a Pitch Shifter. So basically my bass is set to E standard (EADG) I’d need to go to CGCF. Are there any Pitch Shifter pedals which help me do this in practice and a live setting ? Thanks for any advice on this matter. Have a great day !
 
#6
CGCF is Drop C tuning
CFBbEb would be C standard
For either of those tunings I use either a five string bass with a capo or a four string with a drop set and capo.
Using a pitch shifter for altered tunings just plain doesn't work for me, my hands know the string vibrations are wrong. furreal-logo.png FB_IMG_1625178482448.jpg yosemite-sam-back-off-pr-copy_600.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rabidhamster and Lenny JG
#8
When I played in drop-C, I got away without having to go TOO heavy on strings. I used EB power slinkys (110-55), and had it set up by a good tech. Didn't feel slack, and the producer loved the sound of it. It can be tempting to think you need the bottom 4 of a 5 string set, but you really don't need to, as you're basically tuning to D-standard (only a tone lower than usual), then dropping the bottom string lower.

I'd try that/getting used to the strings, as there will always be some digital artifacts on the sound, or you might end up recording and the bass will always sound weak/"off" because it's digitally pitched down.

What size strings did you try before that you didnt like?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rabidhamster
#9
kev451 said:
Hello Talkbass fam, so I’m in a band which plays in C standard, this means my bass is in CGCF. Now I dig the music ALOT. What I don't like is when tuned to C my bass strings feel loose. I’ve tried getting my basses set by a tech to C standard. I’m just not digging the looseness of the strings. I’ve tried using thicker strings but I’m just not a fan of using thick strings. I’d like to use my Fender Ro
Click to expand...
kev451 said:
Hello Talkbass fam, so I’m in a band which plays in C standard, this means my bass is in CGCF. Now I dig the music ALOT. What I don't like is when tuned to C my bass strings feel loose. I’ve tried getting my basses set by a tech to C standard. I’m just not digging the looseness of the strings. I’ve tried using thicker strings but I’m just not a fan of using thick strings. I’d like to use my Fender Roadworn as I LOVE the sound and punch it provides. What I was told to try was a Pitch Shifter. So basically my bass is set to E standard (EADG) I’d need to go to CGCF. Are there any Pitch Shifter pedals which help me do this in practice and a live setting ? Thanks for any advice on this matter. Have a great day !
Click to expand...

I was faced with this same exact problem once and juggling another project that played in standard tuning. I honestly used a Boss OC2 and played low C on the 7th fret of the E string. It absolutely worked and cut through. Sometimes I wouldn’t even need the pedal depending on the part. Sometimes I’d pair the OC2 with an Agro as well.

YMMV though! Good luck!
 
#10
I would recommend against wasting your time and money with that nonsense because you won’t be happy with it. It’s an interesting novelty and could probably be used outside of its theoretical intentions but you’ll just trade floppy string sound for digital pitch shifter sound.

Instead hunt up the highest tension thin strings you can find
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lenny JG
#11
Rabidhamster said:
I would recommend against wasting your time and money with that nonsense because you won’t be happy with it. It’s an interesting novelty and could probably be used outside of its theoretical intentions but you’ll just trade floppy string sound for digital pitch shifter sound.

Instead hunt up the highest tension thin strings you can find
Click to expand...

that’s what I’ve tried before and it didn’t feel right in terms of having my hands on them. That’s why I asked about these pedals.
 
#13
Rabidhamster said:
Which thin high tension strings did you try?
Click to expand...
Tried GHS, Labella,Ernie Ball, Fender, Dingwall, Rotosound, Daddario, SIT, Elixir. I’m normally a 45-105 gauge, For all these companies I tried going to 50-120, 50-105, I even tried buying 5 string packs and used the thick string as my “E” downtuned to C. And each time it felt odd and wasn’t feeling it and it didn’t feel natural. Tried several rehearsals with them, as well as having my bass worked on to allow for the gauge change as well as a nut change to accommodate the heavier gauge.
 
#14
I wouldn't call any of those 'high tension' strings tbh. You're gonna want something between .115-.125 depending on company and tension. For instance, d'addario you can get away w smaller gauge, where as something lower tension you'll want a bigger string.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back