eletric fifth tuning convert

[odin70]

I have more or less converted to fifth tuning (electric). Im tuning to c-g-d-a, like a cello , but down an octave. Its great if you want to play four string with the range of the six string bass. Are there any kindred spirits out there?

[SpawnofHastur]

I've tried it- it was interesting, but not something I liked; I prefer the good old fourths tuning.

I do know, however, that the bassist from noise rock band Lightning Bolt tunes his bass in fifths- that's where I got the idea.

[monkeyboyblues]

how did you do it as far as strings is concerned?
did you have to get a certain type and/or measurement
of strings?
could it be done for a six string?

[BuckN@$ty]

I love Fifths tuning on bass. It came as a challenge when I got my Warr guitar so I figured that I'd force myself to tune all my other basses in fifths so I'd HAVE to get used to it. I ended up loving it. I had to get odd string gauges to get the right tone balance between strings; once I got that down, my bass came to life.

Right away I noticed range obviously. In first position you can get 3 octaves from the Low C. Try that in fourths tuning. You need more strings otherwise you're climbing the neck. With that kind of range in one position bassists, YES BASSists, can play rich chords without being muddy.

Only bad thing about fifths tuning is getting used to it. Playing octaves takes some getting used to because it's something so ingrained in your head from playing in fourths and it pisses you off in the beginning. On the up side , that fingering turns into the pattern for playing a tenth chord. The fingering you'd use for a tenth chord in 4ths becomes a 7th chord in 5ths.

I'm Currently playing on a 4-String Warwick Fortress, 34'' scale , 24 fret tuned CGDA.
My string gauges are: C= .120, G= .90, D= .65, A=35. - This seems heavy, and it is.

I tried to give the lower strings a good amount of tension so they would carry tone instead of flopping around. If you have a longer scale bass (35'',36'',<) you could lighten the gauges a little more.

If one is thinking of switching to 5ths tuning, my advice is try it. Tune one of your basses in fifths or if you're not addicted to bass playing yet and only have one bass tune IT to 5ths and give it a shot. It might just change the way you think about music

In reply to monkeyboyblues yes you can tune 6 string in fifths and get AMAZING range. You could go CGDAEB, or if you can find a Low F string (go through Conklin) tune FCGDAE. That's the range of an "extended range" bass.

Final statement: As Frank Zappa put it "...beauty is not love, love is not music, Music is the Best". Explore new approaches, new techniques, new styles and have fun.

[Kalyptic]

Another thing which hasn't been mentioned is that you get a whole new set of natural harmonics, which is cool for Manring style playing.