Bass for EADGC Tuning

FunkQueen · #1 09-18-2007, 12:34 PM

I tuned my 5 string EADGC (from low to high) because I need the high C for chord playing rather than the low B.
But unfortunately the strings became too tight and the space between the strings got too large for my hands

Also,The E string sounds now very dark almost like a B....

I tried many different gauge strings even bought a C string etc but nothing worked. Even the truss rod and saddles adjustment of the luthier didnt help.

I wish I could get away with a 4 string Jazz Bass and tune it to ADGC (tenor tuning like Wooten does) without having the need of a modern 6er... That would be awesome cause I JUST love Fenders.

How to save me? Do I need a CUSTOM made bass?
Or change the bridge? Does Wooten have a special bass made for tenor tuning (ADGC) ?

gkbass13 · #2 09-18-2007, 12:41 PM

changing the nut might help, so the strings will slot in better. i would also recomend a 34 inch scale, 35's can feel a bit too tight when strung E-C. i had an OLP MM copy strung E-C and it worked fine.

funkybassplayer · #3 09-18-2007, 12:54 PM

i don't see why you have been having so much trouble with this tuning. over 14 years ago i got my first bass (Ibanez TR-505 Expressionist) and the first thing i did was by new strings and tune it EADGC. I have been doing this since day one and have had no trouble with the setup or tone. granted my bass is a 34", but i have done nothing to change setup aside from normal intonation and maintenance. Most string manufacturers make a 5 string set to tune to this (usually .100-.30) i suggest trying a set of these instead of picking individual string. D'Addario has a new deal called Bass Station that allows you to pick your four string set and then add to it a string for high C or low B.

other than this i would say to try a 34" scale like GKBass13 reccomended. i hope that helps.

FunkQueen · #4 09-18-2007, 01:47 PM

Would it make a big difference to change from 35' scale to 34'?
I hope it does...

PS : I also feel like good 5 strings are mostly very heavy basses and they dont give the feel of a 4 string so I may buy another 4 string Fender to tune it my way. The other will be standard tuning. Or should I go for a 5er?

FunkQueen · #5 09-18-2007, 01:51 PM

funkybassplayer: Dont you feel the difference in string space when you switch from standard tuning to EADGC especially on higher frets like 13th 14th frets? Chord playing becomes kinda difficult.. Even popping and bending become harsher to my right hand fingers because the C seems quite tight as well as the G and D.
Or Is it just me??

benthughes · #6 09-18-2007, 02:05 PM

Try a lighter guage of string maybe? You'll lose a bit of tone but it won't require quite as much tension to get the string to pitch.

I Have 3 fivers. 2 are tuned BEADG but my third I tune DGCFA# ( BEADG down a step). This accomplishes a couple things. 1 .it reduces string tension which is great on a 35" bass, 2 .I only lose a couple notes that I'd have with the B string while still keeping the high F# for chordal or melodic stuff. Tuning down also gives strings a different sonic color that standard tuning doesn't,

This tuning is also great for practicing and giving that old muscle memory a kick in the pants! Try playing your favorite songs in an alternate tuning, try playing with your guitarist when your tunings are different.

nastyn8c · #7 09-18-2007, 02:14 PM

Buy the set of strings you want, E-C. The have a pro do the setup, replacing the nut to fit the new strings. He should take care of the neck relief when doing this too.

funkybassplayer · #8 09-18-2007, 02:16 PM

i really can't tell you honestly. the first thing i did as a basist was tune EADGC and i really haven't played any other tuning on my five. The Ibanez i use has a narrower neck than most fives i have played. I did go back and forth with gauges for the C but it really depends on the guage of the other strings. I really like the Ken Smith .30 for a C but i am also using the Rock Master Mediums for the other four stings.

when i was going to school for a music performance degree i was in a jazz band and a couple of guitar enselmbles and the spacing on my bass allowed me to accell at comping and chording. also in the guitar ensembles i played the guitar 1 part, just an octave lower (i was the human octivider lol)

Popping and bends and such are a big part of my style but i really haven't noticed any trouble with it but, once again, i have been playing tuned like this since day one.

as far as your comments about the weight of 5ers. my Ibanez has an alder body, maple neck, rose wood fboard, but i gutted the original active electronics (sounds so much more real in passive). this bass weighs about 9 lbs i wanna say but it is still much lighter than other 5's i have owned.

if you want to tune E-C then you don't need another bass. if you want a 4 banger with a high C then tune it tenor, but know that this will restrict you not neccesarliy tone wise but it will remove your low end. with an E-C fiver then you still have your C but you can still get low.

I hope i could help. let me know if i can help any more

funkybassplayer · #9 09-18-2007, 02:17 PM

oh yeah. i never touched the nut on my bass. still funky for the past 13 years

nastyn8c · #10 09-18-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benthughes

my third I tune DGCFA# ( BEADG down a step).

ummm...

FunkQueen · #11 09-18-2007, 02:24 PM

benthughes: "I tune DGCFA# ( BEADG down a step). "
I guess you meant (as you loosen the strings for low tension) EADGC down a step. Am I correct?

I detuned the strings but they sounded too low and floppy...

FunkQueen · #12 09-18-2007, 02:31 PM

I got a 5 string Cort Gb 75 but compared to my Marcus Miller Fender 4 string, it stinks :P
So should I throw much cash and buy Fender USA JAzz 5er or
a cheap 6 string Washburn or another 4 string Fender to tune it to my wish. I am quite confused because of this problem actually.. 5ers seem heavy and very string-spaced to me....
Plus I love Fender look and feel of the pickguard when i use pop techniques...

I also found an Ibanez BTB 506 6er. Any ideas?

So I need fairly close string spacing, fairly lightweight bass,
Fender-like look and not many choices where I live...

Do I ask for much

http://www.myspace.com/edorsay

funkybassplayer · #13 09-18-2007, 02:43 PM

i would recommend against the Washburn. I work at one of the american wasburn dealers and i never one was impressed by thier basses AT ALL. i think they have some really great ideas but thier basses dissapointed me. Thier guitars are a completly different story ( i like to call thier Idol guitars Les Paul Killers, but i regress)

i had a MIM Jazz V (about $350) that i stripped all the finish off (not a big fan of bursts) and it made it noticably lighter. it had a wider and thicker neck than my Ibanez but it was a bit more conducive to slapping like you were asking about. I loved it till it was stolen. for the price and the tone i was really happy (i added Bart PUPs). Any more questions?

lfh · #14 09-18-2007, 02:53 PM

While not really light-weight, I suggest you try a MusicMan StingRay 5:

Comfortable body and neck, and "semi-narrow" string spacing, but still room enough for slap & pop. (FWIW, I've played mine in EADGC-tuning since the early 90:s -- works great!)

alexgeddy · #15 09-18-2007, 02:57 PM

Hey funk,

I was in the same situation. I restrung a steinberger , low B to D, with no problems....it sounded great.... me thinks you can get an american fender 5 and restring it from E to C. You will probably have to have the nut redone (almost a must unless you can stuff aluminum foil underneath)!!! IMO most bass pickups (especially from Fender) can handle the tunings you are looking for. As for the difference between 34 or 35 " scale, i play both and you would still have the same issues with the nut. from the people I talked to most Fender bass pickups have a wider bandwidth than they publish so you would be ok using the "hi C" (pun intended)!!! if you have any questions feel free to pm me or email me
wjbulman@comcast.net

Hope i was able to help!!

funkybassplayer · #16 09-18-2007, 03:03 PM

lfh. have you changed the nut on your bass? I don't see why people keep sayng you need to change the nut. I am sure it would be best to have a new one made but not neccesary. i didn't have to do anything to the 3 basses i have tuned this way

lfh · #17 09-18-2007, 03:13 PM

Nope, the stock nut works fine. (I use 30/40/60/80/100 Rotosound SwingBass 66, the stainless version.)

funkybassplayer · #18 09-18-2007, 03:49 PM

those are the string gauges i use. just a different brand

FunkQueen · #19 09-18-2007, 03:59 PM

Tomorrow I am goin to try the USA Fender Jazz Bass V Sunburst. I have this GAS to buy it. It is used and 1650 USD.
(I live in Turkey so a 5er Fender USA it is rarely found here)

And I might get rid off my Cort Gb 75 (MM style Korean 5er)

But I am still afraid of having the same problems as the tightness of strings when I put C and the large SPACE btw the strings.......

But I hope and pray that a higher quality USA Bridge will
feel better as a higher quality nut....Hope I am not wrong...
BUt it seems like Fenders have large spaced strings and heavy weight. (some said on the reviews..)

There are also Laklands to look for like 55 but I dont think the feel as fast as Fenders..?

FunkQueen · #20 09-18-2007, 04:03 PM

So when they do a new NUT, do they change (get them closer) the space between the cavities for the strings or do they just make small cavities for the strings to fit in?

If they dont change the string space on the nut (I guess it would be absurd to change it) then the string spacing wont change...
Am I correct

It feels like the string spacing problem comes from the width of the nut
but also the bridge. am I right? But as they can not change the neck's
width, they can not change the string spacing.. ??

I am thinking loudly to find a solution at the moment. Lol