Mini/Short scale ABG (24"-30") - tuned in 5ths?

[maxr]

I used to play Cello, tuned C G D A low to high in 5ths. 4/4 cello has a scale length of about 27.4", Mini to Short scale bass territory. It's long enough to get some bass. and short enough to play (some) fiddle tunes. Recently I bought a Guild Jumbo Junior mini acoustic bass, with a scale length of 23 3/4", similar to the Taylor GS Mini bass, and it's lots of fun. The Guild comes as standard in 4ths like a 4 string bass guitar, E A D G low to high. Then my eyes lit on a book I never put into practice (due to lack of a DB): 'Playing the Double bass Tuned in Fifths'. Ha! I thought. C G D A 5ths tuning could give the range of a 5 string in 4 strings, possibly better coordinated string harmonics leading to more 'in tune' sounds, easier toon playing (if that's your thing), the whole cello repertoire, and several other advantages, at the expense of having to relearn all the fingerings unless you already play cello.

 

It at first seems unlikely a Mini ABG could be successfully tuned as low as C G D A (i.e. C two whole tones lower than standard). But hey, there are folks here who'll try anything, and we mostly thought Ashbory size basses couldn't work till somebody made one. So:

 

1) Have any of you tried this, if so how did it go, and what did you use for strings?

 

2) If C G D A starting 2 tones down is just too low to work in practice, has anyone tried other pitch 5ths tunings on Mini or short scale bass, and how did it go?

 

Thanks, Max