string guages? fifths tuning on a 6-string

[monkeyboyblues]

i'm assuming i have to get the 4th tuned strings in different guages.

if so, can someone give me the fifths tuning guages for a 6-string electric bass?

thanks much!

[Ely]

My 5 string tuned in fifths is...
C: .125
G: .085
D:.065
A: .035
E: .018p

I would go with a Low F below the C, at either .165 or .195

[EADG mx]

You could do a high B as well. Either way strings are going to be difficult to find. Maybe try a guitar B string?

[Stealth]

The scale wouldn't be right, I'd say. I believe D'Addario or DR had a list of string gauges they offer (for various regular and alternate tunings), so you might want to consult with them.

[JW4003]

I dont know about specific gauges, but you could get an 8 string set if you wanted to go high. You'd have a few extra strings but it would give you a few high strings to choose from. Another thought, Chapman Sticks use a diverse range of strings. You can try stick.com an see what you can find. They are also commonly tuned in 5ths so even if you dont buy strings from them, you might get a feel for the right tuning and gauge strings for your situation. Hope this helps.

[greenboy]

Get the D'Addario String Tension Guide and my spreadsheet here - then you can use the D'Addario unit weights in the spreadsheet to find tensions for various tunings. That'll get you in the ballpark for any brand of like-type strings. I tend to build sets that are closer to balanced tension. You can use some brands of guitar strings on the highest pitched course - on that one they'll reach the tuning peg enough to wrap.

I used to tune in fifths a lot and used several different tunings. Here's one that shares the same G string as standard tuning, and the 4 higher-pitched strings are the same as Cello tuning. I think I used .130 or .135 for the Bb0, and you can go from there.

A3
D3
G2
C2
F1
Bb0 (A#0)

This also worked for me - it has the D string in common with a standard bass tuning and the 4 lowest-pitched strings are cello tuning an octave lower:

B3
E3
A2
D2
G1
C1

Another, a lower tuning to use if you can get a fatter string like the Warwick .175 or can deal with the lesser tension of a .145. This one shares the A string with standard tuning:

F#3
B2
E2
A1
D1
G0

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by Ely

I would go with a Low F below the C, at either .165 or .195

Total mud no matter what string you use or what rig you have IMO. To my tastes the G0 tuning I listed barely makes it on a 34"- or 35" scale even through a great rig made for down-tuning. Using the same string you'd use for an F#0-B0-E1-A1 bass the G0 definitely sounds and feels better than using it at F#0 though.

[Ely]

Yeah, I was actually thinking about restringing my 5er GDAEB. I hate the plain steel E, it's so much louder than my other strings.

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by Ely

I hate the plain steel E, it's so much louder than my other strings.

It's often possible to use a wound guitar string for this as long as one isn't going too high tension.