5 string tuning to EADGB?

[thebassclef]

First off, I want to know if I would NEED to change string gauge to get the correct String Frequency? Second, If I do change strings and start with a 105 E string, what should the B string guage be? Last, I would like to go to falts for this and want to know if a lite string for the B (Like a .30) would be readily available?

thanks

[thebassclef]

Anyone?

-In theory, no. In reality, yes.
-105/30 would work.
-Don't know, but try juststrings.com

[EADG mx]

A .30 isn't that light, most people use that or a similar gauge for a C. You'll probably want a .32 since you're tuning it down and that guage will give you extra tension.

[thebassclef]

Sorry, Meant to be tuned to a C not B. If I used the strings that are on it and tuned it up to EADGC, would that put to much tension on the neck (BTW it is a Neckthtough 35" Scale Washburn T25)

[WillBuckingham]

With flats a .30 will probably be fine. I've even used .28 for a high C and that was roundwounds.

[James Hart]

most online shops will sell you a 5 string set the same guage as a 6 string set.... minus the Low B.

I uses www.sonicstrings.net Chad is great at getting what you need (if it's not listed on the site, just email the request).

I've had .030 for the C on my fretless from SIT and D'Addario (both groundwound). I've played pointbass's fretless 6 with LaBella flats (ended up putting those on my fretted 5... great strings!).

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

Sorry, Meant to be tuned to a C not B. If I used the strings that are on it and tuned it up to EADGC, would that put to much tension on the neck (BTW it is a Neckthtough 35" Scale Washburn T25)

Are you thinking of tuning your BEADG strings up to EADGC? First of all... SNAP.

Putting an EADGC set on will have less tension on the neck since they're thinner strings. Put them on, and let them settle for a few days. Then, you'll probably need a new setup. Although you don't have to, you should probably get a new nut since the strings will be sitting too low in your current nut. I havn't done this yet (I fixed the problem temporarily with a TR adjustment) but I plan on it.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Putting an EADGC set on will have less tension on the neck since they're thinner strings.

No, not necessarily. In fact, the E string, when tuned to pitch, is likely to have more tension than most Bs, when tuned to pitch.

Thinner strings only have less tension *if tuned to the same pitch*. But that's not what's happening here: he's talking about using thinner strings but tuning them higher (= adding more tension).

You can't assume that an EADGC set is going to have less tension than a BEADG set, simply because the strings are thinner.

[teleharmonium]

Some of the terminology on this thread is confusing. But, to cover some essentials:

You can't tune up a BEADG set to EADGC as they aren't designed for it and you will likely damage the bass from the extremely high tension. If you're lucky you would only break the strings.

The half step difference from high B to high C is more or less negligible from a gauge and tension standpoint so you could try that tuning freely.

If you're restringing a bass from BEADG to EADGC, you might want to tweak your setup a bit, but it is not a dangerous change and the tension overall is not much different (provided of course you are using strings intended for each of those tunings).

It's easy to get single high C strings and personally I am using an .030 roundwound; my low E is .105 or .1 IIRC. I just got a set of TIs which I think has an .028 for the C; I was specifically going for a low tension set on that bass.

[thebassclef]

I thought it would be too much tension, and wanted to try before I buy. Good thing I asked. So, in conclusion, Get a six string set, just toss out the low B (Cheaper than buying a 4 string set and a High C), Tune it up and let it settle, have the bass set up for those strings and tension, Possibly replace the nut.

Got It

THANKS GUYS

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

So, in conclusion, Get a six string set, just toss out the low B (Cheaper than buying a 4 string set and a High C)

?

Not in my experience. I've used Rotosounds, Ken Smith's, and Pedulla strings and all those companies' prices make it signficiantly less expensive to buy a 4-string set and a single C string than a 6 string set.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

No, not necessarily. In fact, the E string, when tuned to pitch, is likely to have more tension than most Bs, when tuned to pitch.

Thinner strings only have less tension *if tuned to the same pitch*. But that's not what's happening here: he's talking about using thinner strings but tuning them higher (= adding more tension).

You can't assume that an EADGC set is going to have less tension than a BEADG set, simply because the strings are thinner.

Thats true, this is just what I was told. Of course, you have to consider what gauge your B string is as they can vary quite a bit. Good point though.


If you want my advice, get a new nut cut. After stringing EADGC, my strings were too low in the nut and buzzed in the first 5 or so frets. I had to loosen the truss rod to fix that, and now my action is higher than it has to be. If you're like me and like the lowest action possible, you should get a new nut.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Thats true, this is just what I was told. Of course, you have to consider what gauge your B string is as they can vary quite a bit. Good point though.


If you want my advice, get a new nut cut. After stringing EADGC, my strings were too low in the nut and buzzed in the first 5 or so frets. I had to loosen the truss rod to fix that, and now my action is higher than it has to be. If you're like me and like the lowest action possible, you should get a new nut.

I really don't want to sound argumentative, but the nut can't make the strings buzz anywhere but on open strings. Nor will changing string guages make the strings set lower in the nut slots. They set on the bottom of the slots regardless of the string guage. Nor does changing the relief affect action except to a very small degree.

My advice to the original poster in this thread is to listen to what Richard says. He knows what he's talking about. WillBuckingham is dead on target with his advice also.

The following is meant in a friendly manner, EADGC, but if you're not sure of what you're talking about, please be cautious about dispensing advice. You can easily cause someone to screw up an instrument with faulty advice. A person asking a question here has no way of knowing whether you have experience or are just passing on misconceptions and simply repeating something you may have been told.

Again, don't think I'm jumping on you, but bad advice is MUCH worse than no advice.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by pkr2

I really don't want to sound argumentative, but the nut can't make the strings buzz anywhere but on open strings. Nor will changing string guages make the strings set lower in the nut slots. They set on the bottom of the slots regardless of the string guage. Nor does changing the relief affect action except to a very small degree.

Sure it can, say your nut is cut too low and your saddles are high. Your strings will buzz at the first few frets, wont they? Changing the relief does change the action as well, if you have a lot of curve then your strings will be higher, if your neck is straight they'll be lower. I was under the impression (from Gary Willis' 101 bass tips) that you adjust the relief for buzzing in the first 5 frets and adjust the saddles for buzzing from the 12th fret and higher. Also, I was told by a luthier the proper height for a nut is to have the strings half in and half above the nut, now that I have an EADGC set my strings are below that. So my nut is now cut too shallow. Make sense? And if string gauge doesn't affect the buzz, how come people are always told to raise their action after getting higher gauge strings?

Originally Posted by pkr2

. A person asking a question here has no way of knowing whether you have experience or are just passing on misconceptions and simply repeating something you may have been told.

I do have experience, I strung my own bass EADGC, and it had no buzz problems prior to this. Once I did, there was a lot of buzz in the first 5 frets. I took my bass in to the Schecter dealer where I bought it and their bass tech told me that the problem was that the strings were now too low in the nut. He loosened the TR for me but said this wouldn't fix the problem and should go to a local luthier and get a new nut cut.



I understand you are trying to help but I have experiences with this subject too.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Sure it can, say your nut is cut too low and your saddles are high. Your strings will buzz at the first few frets, wont they? Changing the relief does change the action as well, if you have a lot of curve then your strings will be higher, if your neck is straight they'll be lower. I was under the impression (from Gary Willis' 101 bass tips) that you adjust the relief for buzzing in the first 5 frets and adjust the saddles for buzzing from the 12th fret and higher. Also, I was told by a luthier the proper height for a nut is to have the strings half in and half above the nut, now that I have an EADGC set my strings are below that. So my nut is now cut too shallow. Make sense? And if string gauge doesn't affect the buzz, how come people are always told to raise their action after getting higher gauge strings?





I do have experience, I strung my own bass EADGC, and it had no buzz problems prior to this. Once I did, there was a lot of buzz in the first 5 frets. I took my bass in to the Schecter dealer where I bought it and their bass tech told me that the problem was that the strings were now too low in the nut. He loosened the TR for me but said this wouldn't fix the problem and should go to a local luthier and get a new nut cut.



I understand you are trying to help but I have experiences with this subject too.

I'll be more than glad to address what you are saying, but not in this thread. If you really want to have a discussion, cut and paste this post into another thread and we'll go from there.

[vashts80]

I have a .026 guitar string on my fretless 5 tuned to EADGC and it's fine in tension with a medium-low action.


I'm using a guitar string because I'm too cheap (and broke right now) to buy a new set of strings.

[Human Bass]

If you mean a high B like a guitar, its quite easy, just do a half-tone detune.

[thebassclef]

low b

[Human Bass]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

low b

you sir, are weird.