5 string players.... have you ever??

[KAOSBass]

instead of putting a low B on it, adding a extra high string?

 

[Jefenator]

Yes.

 

[Jon_West]

Can't say that I have.

 

[KAOSBass]

Yes.

what did you think? you have to replace the nut? etc.... details

 

[Righteous Thunderer]

From what I've read, the first five string basses were tuned EADGC, and I found quite a few people do tune their basses to EADGC, so I'm sure there are nuts available.

 

[gkbass13]

A nut replacement isn't always necessary, but if you decide you don't want to go back to a low B, it would probably be a good idea, for proper intonation and setup purposes. I have had a few basses set up this way, and plan to do so again in the not so distant future.

-Grady

 

[BassAgent]

I have one BEADG and one EADGC 5-string and I like both The EADGC gives me some more melodic inspiration, which is nice and I use it a lot for e.g. my Bass Orchestra recordings. I haven't replaced the nut and it doesn't seem necessary

 

[lowfreq33]

Actually I just joined a band that does a lot of songs in D tuning (standard a whole step down) and drop C. I'm thinking about getting a 5er to tune DGEFBb. So that's sort of what you're talking about, just down a whole step.

Oddly enough I've never retuned my basses, even when the rest of the band tunes to Eb or whatever, I just transposed. Never was too hard for me, but these days I do a lot of 3-4 hour gigs ($$$), and I'm at a point where I just want to make it easier on myself.

 

[Fuzzbass]

A nut replacement isn't always necessary, but if you decide you don't want to go back to a low B, it would probably be a good idea, for proper intonation and setup purposes. I have had a few basses set up this way, and plan to do so again in the not so distant future.

-Grady

+1

 

[Atomik Rooster]

My main 5-string bass is EADGC, and I love it. I recently put a Hipshot tuner on it to make drop-D a snap, so it's even more of a workhorse. I probably could have gotten by without changing the nut, but did it anyway for peace of mind and slightly better action. Couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Darknut]

Yes

 

[Ric5]

nope never ... With the G string I can get to a high e flat which is higher than I need ... The highest useful note I have is the high C. But I do need the low notes.

Here's one for ya ... anbody try tuning a 5 string DGCFA# ???

 

[tdub0199]

I just use a six in this case... BEADGC

 

[Jefenator]

what did you think? you have to replace the nut? etc.... details

Okay, fine.

My first 5-string wasn't very good and the low B was particularly weak. I restrung it EADGC - no modifications necessary - and it worked much better that way. I used it to shed some Bach Cello suites and played my music school audition on it. (IME the high C is very handy for stuff like that.)

Now that I'm out in the trenches (i.e. playing bar gigs to pay rent) for me the low B takes priority over high C. But now I have a 6-string so I don't have to choose. (But that's another thread.)

 

[Lowdowneil]

Hi there

I've only ever tuned E to C on my 5 string Variax. No nut issues at all although I should probably get round to adjusting the volume on the E - seems set a touch quieter than the rest but I've got used to digging a bit deeper on that string!

I use my ultra cheapo 6 string for the low stuff.

I find that the unusual or maybe unexpected harmonics you get from the C can add a lot to your playing and the mix in the band. And they really sing out on the Variax - what a good bass that is!

Personal taste of course!

LDN

 

[SwitchGear]

I have never strung a 5'er that way.

I'm trying to get under everyone else, not mixed in the same frequencies as other instruments/vocals.

Gimme that B string, thank you.

 

[sfbabali]

I did on one of my twins, but would need the C string to be "as big/as tight" as a G string, otherwise my brain just tickles, and so do my fingers and arms... so even if the C DID sound better than the low B, i just couldn't keep it that way...

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Nope. I just play a 6-string and an 8-string. Looks manlier in my hands anyway.

 

[bassbenj]

Nope. I just play a 6-string and an 8-string. Looks manlier in my hands anyway.

I hear ya! And for many things that works. But for me, I was using my Carvin AC50 for blues because all the Blues Nazis got all over my case for bringing a 6 string. At first I wanted the extended upper range for solos. So I strung it EADGC and it worked out wonderfully. I didn't even bother to get a new nut. But after some time, I decided to sacrifice some of the solo stuff for the ease of whiling away the hours with the convenience of the 5 string Low B and I put it back to normal 5 string. And that is where it is for now. But if I really wanted to show some class with solos I'd have no reluctance to put the high C back on. The extended high range with 24 fret neck really does it for showing off and yet still maintains a trad look from the audience.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I hear ya! And for many things that works. But for me, I was using my Carvin AC50 for blues because all the Blues Nazis got all over my case for bringing a 6 string. At first I wanted the extended upper range for solos. So I strung it EADGC and it worked out wonderfully. I didn't even bother to get a new nut. But after some time, I decided to sacrifice some of the solo stuff for the ease of whiling away the hours with the convenience of the 5 string Low B and I put it back to normal 5 string. And that is where it is for now. But if I really wanted to show some class with solos I'd have no reluctance to put the high C back on. The extended high range with 24 fret neck really does it for showing off and yet still maintains a trad look from the audience.

Get a 6-string shaped like a P or Jazz bass. You're not the only person with that same problem. I don't know what 6-string you brought, but it was probably far less "traditional" looking and so you, unfortunately, had to catch some flack for it.