M-Bass-M Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I've previously owned a 5-string bass, and quite frankly I never really saw the point of it. Sure, you can now go down to a low B (and the all important low D), but I seem to find myself coping quite well with only a low E. Also, due to the thickness of the string, I don't think I'd ever find myself playing on say the 8th/10th fret of the B string in preference to the 3rd/5th fret of the E string. I've also previously owned a 6-string, and again while I didn't make too much use of the low B string, I did find myself using the high C string a lot more - to reach the higher notes, to strum some chords, and to allow me to access higher notes without having to move my hand up the the fretboard. So my questions are: - from a technical/contsruction perspective, is there any reason why an EADGC tuning wouldn't work? - for those of you who own a 6, what value do you get from the low B string? Thanks in advance, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='M-Bass-M' post='537157' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:36 PM']I've previously owned a 5-string bass, and quite frankly I never really saw the point of it. Sure, you can now go down to a low B (and the all important low D), but I seem to find myself coping quite well with only a low E. Also, due to the thickness of the string, I don't think I'd ever find myself playing on say the 8th/10th fret of the B string in preference to the 3rd/5th fret of the E string. I've also previously owned a 6-string, and again while I didn't make too much use of the low B string, I did find myself using the high C string a lot more - to reach the higher notes, to strum some chords, and to allow me to access higher notes without having to move my hand up the the fretboard. So my questions are: - from a technical/contsruction perspective, is there any reason why an EADGC tuning wouldn't work? - for those of you who own a 6, what value do you get from the low B string? Thanks in advance, Mark[/quote] As far as I'm aware EADGC tuning is fine on a 5 string, I believe there's people who already do this. I cant see it creating any technical problems in fact without the big fat B string will probably be less hard on the neck, obviously you'd probably have to make adjustments to the setup, e.g. truss rod etc. Only main problem I could think of would be the nut as obviously you E string would go where your B string would of been and the gap for the string in the neck may be wider with it being designed for a B and obviously the same all the way down for the other strings if that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 What ape said - with a proper set-up, I can't see how there would be any structural problems. As for a 6-string...first of all, no, I do not play one. A while ago I was in a shop and there was a 5er there which someone - I assume it was the previous owner - had tuned it DEADG, using two E strings for the D and E. If you got a 6-string, you could tune it similarly (DEADGC), and then get the C string but keeping the all important low D, whilst not using a thick B string. I don't quite see the point, though. Still, there are options! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have some fives and a six. 2 fives are "regular" BEADG 1 (The fretless) is EADGC as I think it works better with a Fretless than BEADG 1 is EAD, using every other saddle and nut slot! Works a treat for slap and most other stuff as long as you're ahppy to venture up the neck sometimes. The six is BEADGC. A good compromise for a 5 might also be DGCFBb covers the Low "D" and keeps your fretting positions intact. You might want to use heavier gauge strings to keep the tension up a bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M-Bass-M Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Thanks for the replies. Lfalex - I like your compromise suggestion. Would confuse the hell out of me at first, having to remember that it's NOT an A string that you're playing, but I guess you could get used to it! A more serious consideration is the price difference between a 5-string and a 6-string...go on, spend that bit extra. You know you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Many years ago I bought a Hohner Steinberger 5 string, it had a high C string, however at the time double ball end strings weren't available (in Birmingham) with the high C, only standard low B. Went back to good old 4 string two years ago, never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M-Bass-M Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Well, it appears that not only does Victor Wooten string his 5-string fretted as EADGC, but he also has a "tenor bass" stringed ADGC. Guess that's a pretty definitive answer to my question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) I modded a tired bolt-on Rick copy into a 5 string and added an EMG 35DC pickup. I had it tuned EADGC initially until I realised that I don't use the C. It did take me another 3 6 strings for it to filter through to my brain though. Practically impossible to slap but nice, tight spacing for fast maneuveres Edited July 11, 2009 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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