mimsy89 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Since I started playing bass I've always played a 5 string tuned with a higher string rather than a lower string Moved over from playing guitar (ew) so its always been tuned E A D G B (if standard) instead of a high C Find it so much easier to have the higher chord options/tones without leaving position. Also means I can match/harmonise some of the guitar runs without shifting Does anyone else play this way? Everyone seems confused when I hand them my bass to try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I haven't played with the highest string tuned up but I do quite enjoy playing tuned B E A D F. Having a change in what you're used to from time to time keeps it interesting I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimsy89 Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Yea I try a 4 string every now and then and just feel restricted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 My 'go to' bass is a 6er tuned BEADGC, and now when I play a guitar it takes me a second to adjust. I really like having 6 strings tuned to 4ths though, things like 2 octave runs in the same position feel really natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I would love to try with a high b,im after a 5 string sire v7 at the mo and dont want a drainpipe at the botttom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I was thinking about this recently. I would like a 6 to add a high B... ex guitarist here too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 No, but I jammed with a drunk wasp once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 No, when I started playing there were no high b bass guitars, Plus all my legendary bass heroes play four strings. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimsy89 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 [quote name='YouMa' timestamp='1458767071' post='3010760'] I would love to try with a high b,im after a 5 string sire v7 at the mo and dont want a drainpipe at the botttom. [/quote] Thats one of the basses I'm using at the moment. v7 and a G&L L5500 The Sire's are great basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimsy89 Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Keep having to talk myself out of buying a 6er... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I have a seven string I tune BEADGBE. Think a guitar with a low B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 If you were a guitarist then I guess I can see the logic. As a bassist then it's not something I'd do, the rest of the strings would be tuned in 4ths, then you'd have this odd major 3rd. I play guitar too, but just mentally adjust when it comes to playing notes on the B string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I play 6 string basses with standard tuning (High C) and switch between them and guitars all the time. I play lots of chords and write lots of stuff on guitar which I then move over to bass but I've never considered tuning the high C down to B. Maybe I'm just used to the different shapes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 [quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1458774085' post='3010882'] No, but I jammed with a drunk wasp once. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 [quote name='mimsy89' timestamp='1458803316' post='3010942'] Keep having to talk myself out of buying a 6er... [/quote] Do it. 6ers are fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Well, when I play my Bass Vi (which is tuned EADGBE - a guitar an octave down) my brain shifts and I play it in a "hybrid" mode, a lot more chords and double stops. But I'f I'm in "bass" mode I'd rather have the low B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 [quote name='mimsy89' timestamp='1458803316' post='3010942'] Keep having to talk myself out of buying a 6er... [/quote] A 6 string bass is an amazing instrument, it just seems to me at least, to make more sense than a 4 string bass. Try one, you may be surprised by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairychris Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I play a 5-string in drop C, so I'm tuned CGCFA to match the guitars. Originally a guitarist too, though played a lot on 7s tuned to BEADGBE. I also own an 8-string with a low F# or dropped E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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