34" 6 string bass - EADGCF or EADGBE for my purposes?

[Maxra]

Hi: Some progress - my new fretted solid 34" 6 string (a Harley Benton 650) is off getting set up for a low E set (instead of low B 6th string). Question is, do I then tune it all 4ths EADGCF, or -8vs guitar = EADGBE?

What I want to do with it is:
* regular melodic bass lines on the EADG strings
* 3, maybe 4 string string chords on (D)GCF or (D)GBE, and
* folk tune melodies on strings 1-3, maybe 4, in regular major and minor scales and modes.

Use is in big otherwise acoustic Euro/UK/Celtic folk bands which don't have another bass, some don't have a guitar either. I won't be doing any across-the-neck jazz soloing or other extemporisation (I'd probably get flung out). I have strings that should take the high E or F (I hope - wound .017 and .020). Which tuning do you think might work better/be easier to get to grips with?

Thanks, Max

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Use whichever you’re more comfortable with. If you’re planning on playing more chords guitar style and / or already play the less then manly skinny strings (JK, I play guitar too) you might be more comfortable with that tuning. Some chords can be a little more awkward in straight 4ths tuning also depending on your reach. If you already play bass you could be more comfortable with that tuning.

 

[Lackey]

I toyed with E-E tuning for a bit on bass - not for me, although I play my classical with normal guitar tuning. Also, Allan Holdsworth said if he was starting over on guitar he would have tuned in 4ths.... so there's that.

 

[MrAB4003]

Hi: Some progress - my new fretted solid 34" 6 string (a Harley Benton 650) is off getting set up for a low E set (instead of low B 6th string). Question is, do I then tune it all 4ths EADGCF, or -8vs guitar = EADGBE?

What I want to do with it is:
* regular melodic bass lines on the EADG strings
* 3, maybe 4 string string chords on (D)GCF or (D)GBE, and
* folk tune melodies on strings 1-3, maybe 4, in regular major and minor scales and modes.

Use is in big otherwise acoustic Euro/UK/Celtic folk bands which don't have another bass, some don't have a guitar either. I won't be doing any across-the-neck jazz soloing or other extemporisation (I'd probably get flung out). I have strings that should take the high E or F (I hope - wound .017 and .020). Which tuning do you think might work better/be easier to get to grips with?

Thanks, Max

Tune it in fourths (EADGCF). It is more consistent and it’s easier to make chords on the higher strings, especially power chords. Check out some Motorhead bass lines if you want an education on how to play chords on a bass tuned in fourths.