5 string players, who is using a high C?

[Pete]

I've been playing a christopher 301 7/8 gamba shaped bass with a low B. Strings are D'Addario helicore hybrids (I wanted all 5 to match, I have yet to play a mixed set I like). The B is nice and does well enough, I could see using a C string more though. Anyone using a high C?

[Fletcher Lanning]

Though it is really useful for orchestra gigs (because you're often playing a cello part) I don't really like the pizz sound of a low B string. That being said, I haven't spent serious time learning to play around with the low B so maybe it's just me. I could imagine a high C being very useful though to reduce shifting.

[Pete]

I loved having it in an orchestral situation but I'm not doing any of that anymore. I bought the bass in late college and kept the low b since all the lit assumed a 4 string. Having a C would be great and keep a lot of parts down low and use more string length but you'd loose the advantage of the harmonics written for a g string. Now I play mostly jazz and having a low B is really really nice, I donno, if strings weren't so freaking expensive...

FWIW I play 6 string elec for a living doing mostly non jazz stuff. There is no bread in jazz out in the seattle/tacoma area and I don't feel like chasing down a $50 gig, besides, there are others who are doing that. So mostly my interest is for playing this bass which I do maybe 2-3 times a month.

[JtheJazzMan]

I use a high C, and use it all the time, whereas with a low B I was only using the occasional note below the E string.

My whole playing style has changed to incorporate that string, and if you have to borrow a 4 string it feels incomplete. Its like taking the G off a 4 string.

Give it a shot, and knock yourself out with the bach cello suites, they are tons of fun.

[hensonbass]

I play a Christopher hybrid 5-stringer and an 5-str. Azola Ultracoustic Bugbass and both are set up with the high 'c' string.

I LOVE the clarity of the 'c' with a bow. It just sings. I prefer using a Piastro Flexicore high 'c' and then Spirocore Mediums for the EADG. I find the blend is very even sounding. Also, most chordal playing is clearer.

Going to a five string setup really opened up my creativity and desire to learn new things on the bass. I wish I did it years ago to be honest.

I would only have a low 'B' if I was doing mostly orchestral music. But for jazz/pop/whatever go high IMHO.

[richhansen]

I have one of the Bob Gollihur Bulgarian (fully carved) 5 string basses with a high C, and it is wonderful both for jazz/pizz and with the bow. I totally recommend the high C, as it really does sing like a cello, which makes it so fun to play for any style.

[MDEbass]

Has anyone heard of a 5 string bass with a high C string, but then a C extension for the E string?

[kurt ratering]

i frankenstiened such a thing together some months ago...pretty wanky. if your interested do a forum search for "johnny 5"

[uprightbass.com]

Originally Posted by MDEbass

Has anyone heard of a 5 string bass with a high C string, but then a C extension for the E string?

That's an easy add. I think I've seen Donovan Stokes do that.

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by MDEbass

Has anyone heard of a 5 string bass with a high C string, but then a C extension for the E string?

I did one several months ago...pm me if you want and I can put you in touch with him.

[Pete]

I really hate C extentions, that's one reason I got a 5. I may get a C here pretty soon and try it out. I can't remember what strings are on there for sure, I went to hammond-ashley with the bass and tried a number off basses with different strings on them, of course they all have their own character. It was nice just to see what other basses are out there. Not being in college (for many years now) and not playing out a whole lot I don't see many uprights these days. oh well

[ChuckCorbisiero]

I know this sounds crazy but I would like to try a high D which would give me E A D G D. This would give you a 5th on top but it seems you would still retain some of the vertical playing habits and fingerings on the G that are already there, with the high D providing something fresh and new. The G and hi D would duplicate those strings of the cello which might blend the double bass harmonically with the other strings in a enhanced way.

[Chris Symer]

I've always thought it would be fun to go with a five tuned low to high C G D G C. You'd have the resonance of the fifths supporting the bottom and the tighter intervals on the top. Somebody (other than me) should give it a shot sometime and report.

Hey Pete, I think we met a few months ago at the Owl 'n Thistle session on Tuesdays. You sounded great! You should come down more often.

[Pete]

Heya, you too man! I haven't been in a while. Moved to puyallup, kinda keeps me from hanging out in seattle. Oh well.

[Pete G]

Originally Posted by MDEbass

Has anyone heard of a 5 string bass with a high C string, but then a C extension for the E string?

Mario Lamarre in Montreal has made several of those. There are some terrific photos on his website, such as:

http://www.lamario.ca/view.php?NAME=...g&lang=english

[JtheJazzMan]

Originally Posted by ChuckCorbisiero

I know this sounds crazy but I would like to try a high D which would give me E A D G D. This would give you a 5th on top but it seems you would still retain some of the vertical playing habits and fingerings on the G that are already there, with the high D providing something fresh and new. The G and hi D would duplicate those strings of the cello which might blend the double bass harmonically with the other strings in a enhanced way.

Well, if you come across custom strings let me know.

I was considering the move to 5ths tuning....which would make my bass C G D A E.

Higher high E string, damn. Ask a cello string maker to do a long scale set?

[Fletcher Lanning]

I can't imagine a string that was built to be tuned to the higher 'E' on a 40" + scale bass would have enough mass to really get the bass vibrating. You would probably end up with a string that sounded relatively 'thin' compared to the others. This is complete speculation so I could be completely wrong.

[ChuckCorbisiero]

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Well, if you come across custom strings let me know.

I was considering the move to 5ths tuning....which would make my bass C G D A E.

Higher high E string, damn. Ask a cello string maker to do a long scale set?

Actually, Silvio Dalla Torre had strings made for his G D A E Bassetto which accommodated one of his 3/4 basses before he settled in on a string length of 100 cm or 39.37 inch string scale length on the final design. The process of trial and error of design is recanted on his website. He discusses the fact that he believes a scale length of less than 100cm does not work for a solo type Bassetto. I believe the strings are available now for 41.5 inch scale. It's on his website www.silviodallatorre.com

[JtheJazzMan]

Thats very interesting. Ill keep the concept in my mind.

Yes it does seem the strings get thinner up past a high C.

Im currently using a flatchromsteel high C, which seems to be as loud as the other strings, but the amount of overtones when played arco seems to be disproportionate compared to the other strings, meaning it does sound thin. They also have to be very high tension to keep it clear and audible, not to mention to stop the strings from vibrating against the FB near your fingers.

[ChuckCorbisiero]

Check out Sonores strings by a German named Gerold Genssler. Yes, it is very hard to get a balance from low C to high E . According to Silvio, Genssler has accomplished this.

EDIT - I just read that the cost of his strings are $700. for a standard set. That's just perfect.