I have strung all my 5 string basses EADGC because I just love the sound of a fretless on the C string.... and I can live without the B string... for the jazz I do, and the more quiet stuff that I like, the B string can dominate a bit too much. I like the traditional EADG... but the lines I hear in my head are usually melodic upper register notes, so the C string (esPECIALLY on the Barker five string fretless) really lets a bass sing... IMO.
S0 - am slightly curious about how many others string it up EADGC... haven't seen it much.
paige

Hi Paige--

The only other Barker I know of (and there keep getting to be more of them and fewer of my little grey cells to keep track of 'em) that's got that "High Five" thing going is Ken Wacker's. He lives in Greeley, CO and plays in a large ensemble called Kream of the Krop.

If I'm recalling correctly his motivation was the same as yours--he likes to solo and hears a lot of stuff up there in the bass stratosphere, and the c string was the answer.

BTW, I went to your site and listened some. Very intriguing, cool stuff to these old ears. I'm a survivor of the Great Folk Scare of the 60's and in some ways am frozen in time.

Thanks for your kind words about the bass. I gather you're slightly fond of it. : )

Kindly,

Lee

When Brent hired me to play for him two years ago, I did it for the $$$, but wasn't sure if I would like it as I am an old R&B'r from the 70's. But I found I loved the guys in the band, and the music IS cool, with alot of room for me to play within.

Oh, yeah... the Barker..... just got done woodshedding for about three hours... guess you could say I like it....
;-)
Paige

.... so the C string (esPECIALLY on the Barker five string fretless) really lets a bass sing... IMO.

I have my B1 tuned B-G, would really love to have the C (and not to get too pushy, but an F, as well ;) ), but I need the low B. The G has a very nice voice, so I can imagine that the C would be really sweet ....

Well, as far as I can see, the only choice would be a 6 or 7 string Barker Bass, preferably 18mm spacing and 35" scale :help: That way, we'd get the best of both worlds :D

I have wanted to string my B1 E-C for two reasons.

First, my B1 is unlined and fretless (and doesn't even have line markers on the top side). I feel like a C string would allow me to play things closer to the nut, with better intonation than if I play on a G string closer to the bridge where the notes are closer and less forgiving if I miss by a bit.

Second, I miss the harmonics on the C string.

I haven't restrung my bass though, because I understand something should be done to the nut before I do it.

On the other hand, I love having a B string, not so much because it goes low, but because it allows me more choices of hand position, which I like for combating boredom and keeping things fresh (for myself), and sometimes for combating hand fatigue.

Also, I like to use the upright in instances where I'm playing with horns, and having a B string is handy when I find myself playing in the keys of E-flat, B-flat F or even C.

Consequently, what I REALLY want, though, is a 6 string B1.

I play fretted 4s, 5s and 6s, depending on the playing style and tone I want. However, I find that I'm not playing my 4 and 5 string fretlesses basses much. For me, the only fretless that makes sense is a 6. I like having the choices ever-present.

Anyway, unless and until Barker makes a 6 string upright, I wonder about having 2: a B-G and an E-C.

Aha! So THAT'S why Lee isn't making 6ers! He makes us consider buying two 5ers!

Wahahahaha! :)