6 String Bass tuned like a Guitar?

[Jason Hollar]

Not sure if this should be in the Altered Tunings thread or not...

But since guitar was my first instrument, I've always had a strange desire to buy a 6 string bass, and tune it EADGBE...an octave lower, of course.

I'd love to be able to comp familiar chords and take bluesy solos on certain jazz/funk gigs.

Just wondering if anybody here is crazy enough to play this way?!

I tried this once on a 7 string bass -- a Conklin -- but it was just way too big to handle.

I'd probably need some kind of thin-neck, narrow string-space bass like an Ibanez or something. I also tried a Fender VI but the low end wasn't very happening for me...that's a little too narrow I'm afraid!

[pointbass]

Many people tune in this manner, not at all unusual ....

Lots of options open for 6's with somewhat tighter string spacing, as well .....

[Kobaia]

... baritone guitar...

[EADG mx]

It's not unheard of. Many people also tune their 5 strings to EADGB for this reason.


- get a 7 string set

- or a 4 string set and individual C and F strings

- tune the C and F down a semitone (maybe get a slightly heavier C and F for more consistent tension)

- Setup your bass and you're done.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by Kobaia

... baritone guitar...

lol, i put baritone guitar strings on my acoustic before. It was a .085 bronze roundwound...practically a light A string.

[chaosMK]

One of my local bassist buddies tunes his 6 string like a guitar, but with the low string being a B.

From what it looks like, it facilitates playing chords.

[BassBus]

Status Graphite made a six string Electro 3 for Jonas Helborg. It had a 32.5" scale length.

http://www.status-graphite.com/statu...mes/frame1.htm

[Hoover]

Fender Bass VI anybody? Danelectro Longhorn 6? Lots of off-the-shelf options for this approach, which predates "extended range" boutique instruments by at least a decade.

[Jason Hollar]

Wow -- that Status is slick lookin'!

I'm ashamed to say I haven't really checked out much of Jonas' recent work...but I have heard him before.

Can you recommend any tracks where he's playing this type of axe?

Must...fight...Gas...for 6 string...

[BellBottomBlues]

I used a Fender Bass VI on a bunch of recordings. Very nice but not bassy enough, I agree, but it really sings through a tube amp with the bass turned up.

If you're worried about strings you could just buy the strings from the Fender VI and just toss them on something else...

[Ocon]

I use 6 string.Ibanez SR1206 and Ritter Okon 6st.Tuning is D-A-D-G-A-D.I don't use low-B.Sometimes confusing when I play 2nd string to 3rd.But really fun to play!!