Is it bad to tune up?

[beelzelboss]

Questions stands: Is it bad to tune up? As in, taking a 5 string bass, BEADG, and tuning it up to CGCFA?

[SMILEYSIXX]

Get lighter strings and it's not an issue. Use a standard gauge and you might have problems. Not so much on the C, but raising your other strings one and a half steps can definitely hurt the guitar.

[Mirios]

I wouldn't say it's bad. May have best luck with different gauge strings (most likely a lighter gauge depending on what you use now) and most likely a good setup afterwords.

it's good to experiment with tunings imo. It's good to experiment in general imo.

[testing1two]

You're definitely putting more total string tension on the neck so it really all depends on how stiff/stable your neck is. However, I wouldn't recommend tuning your standard strings up to those pitches as they will feel very stiff and probably sound uneven from string to string.

Instead, consider ordering a custom gauge set so the sound and feel are more consistent from string to string. I think most of us would prefer the feel of a heavier gauge string tuned DOWN to pitch instead of a lighter gauge string tuned UP to pitch.

Here's an example of how I would approach it:
C - use a B string tuned up one half step (light gauge - .120 or .125 taper core)
G - use an A string tuned down one whole step (heavy gauge - .090)
C - use a D string tuned down one whole step (heavy gauge - .070)
F - use a G string tuned down one whole step (heavy gauge - .055)
A - use a C string tuned down minor 3rd (heavy gauge - .040)

You can order custom sets from several places in several brands. Circle K strings has an incredible selection of different gauges although I've never played their strings so I can't vouch for sound or feel. Bassstringsonline.com allows you to make custom sets using D'Addario, Ken Smith, or DR Strings.

As always, YMMV, IMHO, AEIOU and sometimes Y.

[Marton]

Why CGCFA exactlty ? I doesn't seem really logical or common, I'm just curious.

[Mirios]

Originally Posted by testing1two

You're definitely putting more total string tension on the neck so it really all depends on how stiff/stable your neck is. However, I wouldn't recommend tuning your standard strings up to those pitches as they will feel very stiff and probably sound uneven from string to string.
.

All true and good advice on custom strings.

[beelzelboss]

Originally Posted by Marton

Why CGCFA exactlty ? I doesn't seem really logical or common, I'm just curious.

In case I want to play with a band that plays in dropped C, and because I have a five string.

I am just curious is all as well. I'm moving to college so I won't have my stable of four string guitars and five string guitars, so I wanted to know if I could do that at a moments notice.

[paganjack]

Take this for a grain of salt, but the time that I tried to tune up to play in drop C (on a 5 as well) it sounded really weird. Definitely not heavy-sounding, which is kinda the idea for drop C. In that case, I just tuned CEADG, but still...not my favorite tone. Obviously, YMMV.

[walterw]

ultimately, drop-tune bands (at least those that have the dropped string above a B) make more sense with 4-string basses. otherwise, you're tuning up to get your riffs and patterns to match the guitar player's.

[Epitaph04]

I've tuned my ibby 506 up to Drop C many times and it has sounded perfectly fine. Loud and heavy.

[Rebop]

Originally Posted by beelzelboss

In case I want to play with a band that plays in dropped C, and because I have a five string.

I am just curious is all as well. I'm moving to college so I won't have my stable of four string guitars and five string guitars, so I wanted to know if I could do that at a moments notice.

If you have a five string and the guitarists are tuning down to C you still have a C one octave below theirs. Why adjust tuning?

If you use light strings you could do a lot with alternate tunings. I once witnessed a 6 string bass get tuned like a Bass VI and once downtuned it was fine. I wouldn't recommend that extreme but it's an example of how resilient our instrument can be.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Rebop

If you have a five string and the guitarists are tuning down to C you still have a C one octave below theirs. Why adjust tuning?

because i'll bet you a quarter that a band that tunes to dropped C is not playing country!

this is typical "metal band" tuning, which uses a lot of riffs and patterns derived from the dropped string.

as such, playing those riffs with a standard-tuned 5-string, while possible, can be awkward, with fingering patterns totally different from (and much harder than) what the guitars are doing.

[beelzelboss]

Originally Posted by walterw

because i'll bet you a quarter that a band that tunes to dropped C is not playing country!

this is typical "metal band" tuning, which uses a lot of riffs and patterns derived from the dropped string.

as such, playing those riffs with a standard-tuned 5-string, while possible, can be awkward, with fingering patterns totally different from (and much harder than) what the guitars are doing.

Exactly. It's much easier to hit an open C on your lowest string, than to fret it while doing stuff up by the 7-10 in standard tuning.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by testing1two

Bassstringsonline.com allows you to make custom sets using D'Addario, Ken Smith, or DR Strings.

Working on adding available tension information to strings.

The D'Addario information is pretty good, there is now a Tension chart for the XL Nickel Wounds (working on the Pro-Steels as I write this).

It lists the different tensions in different tunings as well. The "Bold" spec is the standard pitch the string is used for.


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