Bass for Drop A songs

[Cacoph0ny]

So I have songs written in Drop A and I'm wondering how exactly I should record bass. Playing bass in Drop A sounds like complete shit, so should I just move everything up an octave or something? Is there a tuning I can use and play the same notes but it will still all be in the same key or do I just transpose everything up an octave? I'm sure this has been asked a ton but I can't find anything with search.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Get thicker strings on bass? My bass sounds fine in drop A.

 

[ahjteam]

use a 5 string bass.

And this belongs in the equipment section.

 

[AntonioPetrole]

i have a 5 string, just drop the top string and your golden. I got mine for like 350 used

 

[DanLights]

I guess you have a standard 5 string and you're trying to tune it drop A? Then of couse it sounds like shit, get a 5 string, or you could go by getting a 5string set and getting it set up by a pro with the 4 lowest strings of the set, and keep the G string and make a necklace with it or something

 

[visceral]

I have a 5 string, but had to use a 4 string for a while. Definitely use larger strings. Also, the longer the scale the better. My 4 string is a cheap washburn with emg's....the neck on that thing (24 frets!) is longer than the neck on my 5 string. My 5 string is a dean sledgehammer & I got it for $350. It does a fantastic job!

Also, try pitch shifting the bass. I've never tried it, but it sould work much better than pitch shifting the guitar. A lot of ppl pitch shift the guitar if they dont have a bass and get some decent results.

Just experiment with what you got.

 

[muckypup1]

I have a 5 string, but had to use a 4 string for a while. Definitely use larger strings. Also, the longer the scale the better. My 4 string is a cheap washburn with emg's....the neck on that thing (24 frets!) is longer than the neck on my 5 string. My 5 string is a dean sledgehammer & I got it for $350. It does a fantastic job!

Also, try pitch shifting the bass. I've never tried it, but it sould work much better than pitch shifting the guitar. A lot of ppl pitch shift the guitar if they dont have a bass and get some decent results.

Just experiment with what you got.

I never thought about pitch shifting a 4 string down, I'll have to try this myself

 

[jval]

.145 gauge on the low and you'll be good to go

 

[visceral]

I never thought about pitch shifting a 4 string down, I'll have to try this myself

I imagine it would work pretty good because you would retain some of the harmonic content produced by a bass.

Regardless, drop A CAN be done with a 4 string with good results.

 

[Seth Munson]

put big strings with the boom on your bass (and mix in neuendo ofc)
never fails