Playing in odd tunings.

[Fullmetal]

Ok, so I play in a hard rock band at the moment and our songs are played in either half-step or Drop-C#. The songs played in half-step require a punchy, mid-heavy bass tone (which is provided by my 4-string ATK) but the lower songs need a real low end growl (provided by my 5-string SR). I want to use both basses on stage, but here was my problem.

The Drop-C# songs depend on the open strings alot. Tuning my 5-string to B-C#-G#-C#-F# seems pointless as my low-B becomes redundant. However I came up with an interesting idea. Tuning my bass to C#-D#-G#-C#-F#. So essentially, tuning the low-B up to a low-C#. I havn't tried it yet, but wanted some opinions on the idea.

Has anyone else tried using any bizarre tunings before?

[b4nny]

I don't see the problem with making the low B redundant. It should make a nice thumb rest.

An alternative, actually using the B string: If you tune to C#-D#-G#-C#-F#, the tension of tuning up the low B could be problematic. Also, riffs which 'bounce' from the C# to the G# strings would become more difficult. So, try tuning to G#-C#-G#-C#-F#. If you do that, you would always have an octave below any note on the G# string readily available. However, if you use that tuning I'd recommend you stay away from the open string and first couple of frets of the low G# to avoid subsonic muddiness.

[Ric5]

Tune your 5 string BEADG and quit messing with those drop guitar tunings. If you have a proper 5 string bass with a good setup then you won't need to play an open C#. A fretted C# sounds just fine. The key to good B string preformance is turn up the mids. The truth is nobody in the audience will be able to tell if you play an open C# or a fretted C#.