5-string from BEADG to EADGC?

JayfromDeeKay · #1 03-09-2011, 09:22 AM

Hey, guys!

I've been playing more chord/melody stuff lately, so I was thinking of changing the strings on my five-string Ibanez BTB 675 from BEADG to EADGC.

Will this be possible without any major adjustments? Of course I would have to adjust the truss-rod, action and intonation, but will the neck be able to cope with the increased tension? And will the nut have to be changed or modified, now that the strings are thinner?

Any advice much appreciated!

kelto · #2 03-09-2011, 09:36 AM

Steve Digorgio played in that tuning but down a step, i play the same way also (CGCGFA#) i know i had to get med light strings to switch over and i hoenstly haven't had the intonation professionally looked at but it plays fine, you will have to probably string it with lights as i tryed in a drop tuning and broke a new pack of mediums (to my anger and dismay) but otehrwise it should be all good

fuNKmaster83 · #3 03-09-2011, 10:35 AM

do have another nut made cuz the string you are putting on will be thinner... other than that its standard adjustment of truss rod and bridge... i have modified a few basses for friends that way and without changing the nut some strings might flop around on the nut when played open...

Ric5 · #4 03-09-2011, 10:42 AM

You should be able to just string it up and play it. EADGC will put a little more tension on the neck than BEADG so you may have to tighten the truss rod 1/4 turn. Also the intonation may need to be tweaked. The existing nut will work, but if you are a perfectionist you could put in a new one.

varunkapahi · #5 03-09-2011, 10:46 AM

trade in for a 6er you'd never look back!

BigOldHarry · #6 03-09-2011, 10:51 AM

I'd try it with the nut you have first - if it buzzes, you might need another one. Otherwise, it's just a matter of changing your bridge setup a bit, no biggie.

Molochnik · #7 03-09-2011, 11:00 AM

Been thinking about picking up a 5 string to do this very thing. Glad to see it's not as nutty an idea as I suspected.

chokeslam512 · #8 03-09-2011, 11:23 AM

Alas I have found the solution to the floppy B string. Get rid of it.

Mike Dimin · #9 03-09-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I'd try it with the nut you have first - if it buzzes, you might need another one. Otherwise, it's just a matter of changing your bridge setup a bit, no biggie.

+1. Also depending on how the saddles are cut you might have to change them. This is not a big deal.

Mike

greenboy · #10 03-09-2011, 11:51 AM

I've been all over the map with re-tunings of this nature from below lowlow F# up to standard tuning E. I've never had to replace the nut to go thinner again or mess with saddles. A lot of times I haven't even had to do the truss rod because I selected my strings based on having the same tension at the new tuning the old sets had at their tuning. I've had to change intonation a little.

JayfromDeeKay · #11 03-09-2011, 11:57 AM

Thanks guys, this was just the sort of information I was looking for. I think I might give it a try.

But yeah, I have had the thought that maybe I should just trade it in for a 6-string. Going to try out this first, though.

Do you guys just buy a set of 6-string strings and toss the B away? Or do you use an electric guitar string for the C?

BTW, I would have replied to the thread earlier, but I spilled a large glass of water in my laptop pc, and the keyboard stopped working. Not so good, but it still works if I use an external keyboard and mouse.

bottomzone · #12 03-09-2011, 03:58 PM

Matthew Garrison has been tuning his bass EADGC for years.

http://www.fodera.com/Shop/ProductDe...spx?ItemID=352

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

bassbenj · #13 03-09-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayfromDeeKay

Thanks guys, this was just the sort of information I was looking for. I think I might give it a try.

But yeah, I have had the thought that maybe I should just trade it in for a 6-string. Going to try out this first, though.

Do you guys just buy a set of 6-string strings and toss the B away? Or do you use an electric guitar string for the C?

BTW, I would have replied to the thread earlier, but I spilled a large glass of water in my laptop pc, and the keyboard stopped working. Not so good, but it still works if I use an external keyboard and mouse.

A 6 string is better because you can play it like a 5 and still have the high C. But since my AC50 only comes in 5 string I had it strung with High C for a time. Totally killer for chords, solos etc. I didn't change the nut and didn't have problems but if you plan to leave it that way forever I would get a proper nut.

As for strings you can either get 6 string sets and use the top 5 strings (keep the B just in case you want to go back) or you can get a 4 string set and special order the C strings. I've done both. 6 string sets are faster to get but special orders are usually cheaper...especially if you order a couple sets. I would NOT use a guitar string. HOWEVER, let me say that the La Bella 6 string nylon wrapped sets had the WRONG size C string. Way too thin. I eventually ended up using a G string from an ultra light Fender set instead. Hey if it works!

As for the truss rod, it may need a slight tweak, but nothing more than what you usually do as a change in the weather. Except for a new nut it's no big deal to restring this way.

Eventually I did go back to normal 5 string setup because I just plain got lazy about not having the 5 string across the neck patterns available. But really BOTH tunings have their strong points and it's just about how you feel at any given time.

JayfromDeeKay · #14 03-10-2011, 10:58 AM

thanks for your answer, really appreciate it.