Need Help -- To What Notes Do You Tune a 5-String Bass

[Positively]

(Mods: I searched the forums and didn't see this addressed -- my apologies if I missed it. Let me know and I'll delete. Thanks.)

I am a new bass guitarist and bought a 5-string. I asked the lead/backup guitarist in my "band" (such as it is) as to what notes each of the 5 strings is tuned.

He checked it out and told me to tune it from low to high: E - A - D - G - A (again).

I read someone talking about hitting lower notes on a 5-string than is available on a 4-string. I told my guitarist that is what I thought as well: B - E - A - D - G.

No guitar shop is close by for me to visit, so it is me and my guitarist needing some help.

Thanks in advance.

Positively

[zac2944]

Standard 5 string tuning: BEADG

[RWP]

Originally Posted by zac2944

Standard 5 string tuning: BEADG

Zac2944 is right, BEADG but I am quickly finding through TB that many guys will tune their basses other ways. TB is an amazing forum with killer ideas out their

[malicous]

Originally Posted by zac2944

Standard 5 string tuning: BEADG

The second most common tuning to BEADG is EADGC (which is what the original Fender 5 string used to be).

[guy n. cognito]

Standard tuning is BEADG. Many do use the higher string, but then it is typically tuned EADGC, not A. Your guitarist is wrong on both counts.

[IronTusk]

Yes, it's BEADG standard, but I sometimes tune to CFA#D#G#. So it's whatever you want the tuning to be, really.

[RWP]

Do the guys that run EADGC just tune up or do they swap out the strings for smaller ones?

[Positively]

Great information, here. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post. I'm going to try the lower tuning and look forward to it.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by RWP

Zac2944 is right, BEADG but I am quickly finding through TB that many guys will tune their basses other ways. TB is an amazing forum with killer ideas out there

Yeah..like attending college.. only ya get to have CNN on in the background, and the snoring
dog on the floor! Way kool..

[thebassclef]

Originally Posted by RWP

Do the guys that run EADGC just tune up or do they swap out the strings for smaller ones?

i Asked the same question, and started a somewhat heated discussion.

5 string tuning to EADGB?

[RWP]

Originally Posted by Rattman

Yeah..like attending college.. only ya get to have CNN on in the background, and the snoring
dog on the floor! Way kool..

Fox News here Dogs chewing on some darn thing.

[zac2944]

Originally Posted by RWP

Do the guys that run EADGC just tune up or do they swap out the strings for smaller ones?

Anything goes with strings and tuning, but most people swap a B (~.130) string for a C (~.030)

Try tuning a .130 string to an E. It will have a lot more tension than you would feel comfortable with. When you tune up all the strings you will have too much tension on the neck and it will most likely bow like crazy.

People do all sorts of weird tunings. If you are some kind of amazing player and you need these tunings to allow for your greatness, then that I guess it is ok to use an alternate tuning. If you are just getting started with a 5 string, don't be a dork; tune it BEADG.

[RWP]

Originally Posted by zac2944

Anything goes with strings and tuning, but most people swap a B (~.130) string for a C (~.030)

Try tuning a .130 string to an E. It will have a lot more tension than you would feel comfortable with. When you tune up all the strings you will have too much tension on the neck and it will most likely bow like crazy.

People do all sorts of weird tunings. If you are some kind of amazing player and you need these tunings to allow for your greatness, then that I guess it is ok to use an alternate tuning. If you are just getting started with a 5 string, don't be a dork; tune it BEADG.

Well said

[rodl2005]

Try tuning a .130 string to an E. It will have a lot more tension than you would feel comfortable with. When you tune up all the strings you will have too much tension on the neck and it will most likely bow like crazy.

People do all sorts of weird tunings. If you are some kind of amazing player and you need these tunings to allow for your greatness, then that I guess it is ok to use an alternate tuning. If you are just getting started with a 5 string, don't be a dork; tune it BEADG.[/quote]


+1 It may also F#%K ur bass up if U tune strings way past they're reccomended tunings, as it says above "neck-bow like crazy" Get a set of standard 5 strings & whack 'em on & learn x1000! 5's are great fun!
Rod.

[PilbaraBass]

[quote=PositivelyI asked the lead/backup guitarist in my "band" (such as it is) as to what notes each of the 5 strings is tuned.

He checked it out and told me to tune it from low to high: E - A - D - G - A (again).
[/QUOTE]

NEVER, NEVER ask a guitarist for ANY information...

EADG-A???? where did he get that from?

EADGB is standard on a guitar (and used by some 5 string bassists)

EADGC is a more common tuning as all the strings are then tuned in 4ths...

BEADG is the MOST common 5 string tuning as bassists are more commonly interested in the low notes...

most bassists who utilise a high C, play a 6 string...but not all...

you can actually tune a bass to almost anything you like, but you have to keep the string tension in line with the note...as a general rule 30-45 lbs of tension per string (most string manufacturers have charts)

remember the fatter the string, the more tension is required to tune to a higher not (that's why the thick strings are low strings and the thin ones are high)

[thebassclef]

Tuning the 5 string to EADGC Gives you better access to the notes that are normally found higher on the neck. This can be very useful when playing some songs that jump around the neck.

For example, Pink Floyds "Money" Goes from B to E in the Sax Solo. On a four string, in order to play this line you would have to jump from the 2nd fret A string to the 7th fret A string. With a 5 string tuned EADGC, you would simply drop down to the 2nd fret D string and still have room to play the line correctly.

[Positively]

Thanks to everyone who posted. Great information.

Great forum (and site) you have here. I look forward to coming here and learning more as I get better on my bass.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

Tuning the 5 string to EADGC Gives you better access to the notes that are normally found higher on the neck. This can be very useful when playing some songs that jump around the neck.

For example, Pink Floyds "Money" Goes from B to E in the Sax Solo. On a four string, in order to play this line you would have to jump from the 2nd fret A string to the 7th fret A string. With a 5 string tuned EADGC, you would simply drop down to the 2nd fret D string and still have room to play the line correctly.

Or you could just play the B part at the 7th fret, E string.


I think a better example might be "Around the World" by RHCP - two octave jumps on a 4 string. The C string makes it so much easier.

[stu FORD]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

Or you could just play the B part at the 7th fret, E string.


I think a better example might be "Around the World" by RHCP - two octave jumps on a 4 string. The C string makes it so much easier.

not a better example because with the low B you can do the low G and F's at 8 and 6, which decreases the jump just as much.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by stu FORD

not a better example because with the low B you can do the low G and F's at 8 and 6, which decreases the jump just as much.

I stand corrected.



It would be nice to play that on 6 string on the B and C strings.