A,D,G,C Tuning

goodgig · #1 05-27-2008, 07:28 PM

Has anyone tried tuning their bass up a forth? Renaud Garcia-Fons has a five-string DB presumably tuned E,A,D,G,C. Who makes a C bass string? While Garcia-Fons' technique is clearly out of my reach, I think it would be fun to put on the C on my 4-string 3/4 bass and explore the possibilities. Would that damage my bass if I tried that tuning? I suppose you could keep the low E.

phoenix742 · #2 05-27-2008, 07:48 PM

I've never tried it, but I have heard of people tuning up 5 strings to, say, drop C. With the proper string gauge, I don't see why you couldn't. For a high C string, you might have to buy strings for a 6, the top string should be a C.

Phil Rowan · #3 05-27-2008, 08:15 PM

Barre Phillips uses a 5 string with a high C on "Camouflage" (I only have "Camouflage" and "Aquarian Rain", but I'm sure there are more recordings of his playing with this set up).

CPike · #4 05-27-2008, 08:47 PM

I think Glenn Moore has both a low and a high C, with normal A & D in the middle.

hensonbass · #5 05-27-2008, 09:59 PM

I bought a high c string and put that on my Czech DB with a 'g', 'd', and 'a' string for a recording session that needed more cello-like stuff and it worked and didn't hurt anything.

The experiment sold me on my purchase of a 5-string Azola EUB (high c version).

I would NOT over tighten regular strings up a forth, unless you want trouble.

BTW: If you want to try out a high 'c' string for real cheap look here:

Strings, Pickups, Preamps, Bass Trainer FS/FT

txstatebass · #6 05-27-2008, 10:41 PM

Seems to me that if you get strings that are designed to play at that particular tune, ie. adgc, then you shouldn't have any intonation or equal tension issues. Tuning the strings up could be problematic (if at all possible) and could put unnecessary and tension on the top. We often use solo strings which are a different tuning system, and some bassists use 5th's tuning with strings designed to function at those pitches.

However, it is important to note a quote from the great Edgar Meyer (which I heard at a recent clinic in Texas): "I love the solo tuning, but life without the low E would just be, ...well...kinda lame"

ctxbass · #7 05-28-2008, 12:04 AM

I think Slam Stewart tuned ADGC.
Somewhere in my string box I have a NOS gut C I will try someday.