standard strings to solo tuning?

[Kev2007]

Hey all

I've transcribed an Edgar Meyer tune for a concert I'm playing in a couple of weeks. He wrote it in 'Edgar Standard' tuning, which is to say EAEA. I was going to just drop it down a tone, but I found that the violin part is really dependant on the open low 'G' and high 'E'. So, I'm wondering if I'm setting myself up for a world of hurt by attempting to tune my Spirocore Weichs up to Edgar, for one 5 minute tune? Am I likely to snap a string? Damage my bass (very nice old French bass)? Obvioiusly, I'd rather not have to purchase a set of solo string for one tune, especially since I've got a gig the night before and two more on the day of the concert (in standard tuning).

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Kev

[Jason Sypher]

I always thought Edgar tuned EBEA? I've never heard of him tuning EAEA which Texan fiddlers call "Cross A" or "The Sawmill Key"... I personally wouldn't tune up my bass a whole step unless I had solo strings or something with very light tension.

[Eric Hochberg]

I have a set of Velvet Compas 180 Suit strings on my bass. These are made to be played in either standard or solo tuning. I tuned them up a whole step a few days ago and they seemed fine in the short time I tried them in solo tuning (I have no experience playing in solo tuning). I think these would be a good string for people using alternate tunings and switching back and forth between tunings.

Spirocore Solo strings can also be used in both tunings. If you only want to tune the G and D up, just buy those two, not the whole set, and save a few bucks.

[Kev2007]

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

I always thought Edgar tuned EBEA? I've never heard of him tuning EAEA which Texan fiddlers call "Cross A" or "The Sawmill Key"... I personally wouldn't tune up my bass a whole step unless I had solo strings or something with very light tension.

Yeah, I meant EBEA. The wiechs are lower tension than a typical 'arco' string, maybe not enough, though. FWIW, I'll be lowering the action for the concert from my normal 'legit' string height, whcih will in theory take some tension off the bridge area.

Thanks,

Kev

[Co.]

Tuning a Spiro Weich Set up a whole tone should result in the tension of the Spiro Stark Set. Pretty high tension, but I think any bass will tolerate this for 5min. How the sound quality turns out is another question.

[toman]

I like starks; I think most any bass other than the most fragile old thing should be be able to take the tension. Thus, as far as the bass is concerned, I don't think tuning up one step is likely to do any damage.

Note that I didn't say I like playing starks.