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5 String Bass Question

Iritan

Iritan

Jun 3, 2005
340
1
36
Wilmington, N.C.
www.myspace.com
#1
Yeah, I'm looking into movin' on up to a 5 string(yeah, I'm kind of a beginner) it's not that I've never played them, just never owned one. Anyway, my question is, if you buy just a standard five string, nothin' fancy, can you just easily make take off the low B for a high C? If not where can I find a good five string with High C already on it.
 
#6
FWIW, unless you're running out of notes up high (are you playing up above the 12th fret a lot and running out of room?), you'll get more flexibility out of keeping it as BEADG IMHO.

You can get some pretty high notes out of a regular tuning, especially if you have a 24 fret bass.

Having said that, for one or two of the songs I play I really could use a bass that goes a *little* bit higher. But I'd never trade that for the flexibility that the B string gives me. I use the B string constantly.

Also, since you're a beginner, be aware that putting on a high C will change the way you have to approach the instrument. You'll be reaching over that C string all the time. This may or may not be a problem for you, depending on the size of your hands and how good your technique is.

With it tuned BEADG, you can pretty much ignore that B string unless you need it, for transposing songs or playing runs in one position as opposed to heading down the neck to get the low notes.

Just IMHO. If EADGC tuning is your thing, go for it.
 
#8
Chasarms said:
If you can't find some who sells the single C that you want, another option is to buy a six-string set and throw out the B.
Click to expand...
That's seems like such a waste, tho. I've found that it's not that hard to get singles... everything from great stuff like DR all the way down to plain old GHS Boomers.
 
#12
I have to agree with adouglas on this one. I just purchased my first 5, a Spector Rebop and I was asking the same question about dropping the B. I found that playing on the higher registers of the B was a bit of a stretch across that wide 5 string neck. So take into account, youll have to play all your E string stuff stretching across that neck if you move it into the B string position. As it stands now, I can play all me E stuff comfortably and ignore the B until it comes time to use it. It works out pretty good, an no, I dont have small hands. I actually bought the 5 because I wanted a longer scale and wider neck. I would suggest you find a 5 you like, and believe me the spacings are drastically different from one to another, and play that one before you decide to drop your B. I decided to keep the B because I liked where me E sits. And I was in the same situation as you.
 
#14
It's my job on this forum to haunt the five string posts of Adouglas it seems, hehe.

Really though, I use a short scale five string tuned E A D G C and I find it lovely for staying in position or interesting chord movements.

There is nothing wrong with a B, just as there is nothing wrong IMO with a C. I just happen to prefer a C to the B. I only use the B on my 35'' Peavey Millenium Plus when I want to "drop the bomb" so to speak.
 

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