5 string advice

[chrkelly]

Hi,

I recently bought an old German ply 5 string for theatre and jazz work. I was on the lookout for a four originally but this bass was very cheap and I probably wasn't going to find anything better for that money. At the moment it's strung with a high C which I don't mind but it takes some getting used to on doubling gigs when I change from electric with a low B. I also don't want my deps struggling to learn with the high C on the gig.

So, I'd like to ditch the C and put on a low B. It's quite a tight feeling bass already strung with spiro mittels but it vibrates really well for a cheap bass (no wolf tones!). Ideally I want to keep the same sound but I'm a bit worried it will break my left hand. I was thinking of using a full set of solo gauge spiros detuned to concert to ease off the pressure. I also have a spare belcanto G, D, A that I might try too. Or maybe Velvet animas? Main thing is to have good playability.

Any thoughts on this or has anyone done a similar conversion?

[JtheJazzMan]

Well if youre really intent on ditching the high C then the mittels are good for a low end string.

But I cant imagine using mittels with a thin high C. Im using spiro lights with a pirastro flat chromsteel high C.

IMO belcantos are only good for bowing. I was not happy with them as a pizz string.

It might be worth your while trying some spiro lights on there, you may like the high C

[CPike]

Spiro weichs would be a better choice for easing the tension than tuned-down solos, whether you keep the high C or switch to low B. Adjustments to the tailpiece afterlength, soundpost or nut height can affect the "tightness" you are experiencing. I would advise you to have the overall setup evaluated by a luthier before you start shelling out $ for different strings...
Chris

[fergus currie]

I agree with Chris, go to a good maker and see if he can 'loosen up' the bass. Get Tomastik weichs if you still need more slack. Also, 5ers are a bit wierd and are often abit softer in tone than 4s so don't force the sound - it's there but it goes much more forward and you can't hear it! practice at least a few minutes a day right up against a wall to hear what's really going on.
FC

[davidAaronCarte]

I wouldn't recommend the Bel Cantos if you're worried about tension
They've been on and off my bass a couple times matched with other strings
Consistently I find it tightens up the whole bass

[Martin Sheridan]

Keep in mind the notches on the bridge and nut when you change out your strings. You might need to have them adjusted by a competent bass luthier to see that they will accomodate the different sizes you are going to. You don't want to break any of those babies, they're getting way too expensive. You might need a wider notch to accomodate the low B and the others as well since you are going to be moving four of them to the higher side and the low B will probably be thicker than the current E, the G thicker than the high C etc.

If you're not used to five strings there will still be some adjusting on your part as well as everything is going to be in a different place.