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5 String Specifically Made With A High C

Curlymike

Curlymike

Jan 30, 2015
14
10
65
#1
Hi!

This is my first post. I'm thinking about buying my first 5 string bass and I quite like the look of the new Ibanez BTB33.

I'm a little confused by the advert and I wondered if you guys could give me some advice.

The advert says: The Ibanez BTB33 5 string bass is designed for players looking to explore the upper part of the fretboard. This 5 string bass is tuned from E to C and has a 33'' scale neck.

I never knew that it could be specifically designed to be tuned from E to C - I rang up a shop to ask if it was possible to buy with a low B. At first they didn't appreciate that it was an E to C build. Anyway, they eventually came back and said that low B isn't recommended but didn't really explain why.

I'm now looking at other models but I'm still interested to know why a low B wouldn't work with this bass.

If any of you guys could explain I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers,
Mike
 
#3
My guess is that their recommendation against stringing it with a B stems from: 1) the belief by some folks that a "proper B" requires at least a 35" scale length; and 2) the reality that nut may need to modified to accommodate heavier string gauges. Or, what old spice said.
 
#4
I would imagine they're just following convention: longer scale for lower tuning, or at least not shorter scale.

You can string and tune it however you like as long as you're not damaging the instrument and it will be just fine.
 
#5
old spice said:
Many people prefer longer scales, 34 or 35 inch (or longer) for the B string, for a stronger fundamental tone.
The nut might need adjustment for the wider gauges, too.
Click to expand...

Not just prefer. While you might get away with a 33" scale and a B string, once you get below 34" you are pushing it for E strings and a B string is going to be pretty floppy. I used to play short scale all the time (loved the way I could reach things) but getting a good tone out of the E string took some adjustments and once I started playing 5 strings I pretty much gave up on a working on a short scale bass. However for a long time I had my Carvin AC50 strung E-C and it worked great! When going from B-G to E-C I didn't even replace the nut. When going from E-C back you'd have to replace or file the nut for the larger strings.

So basically I think the recommendation is just about the B string tone and feel being less than optimum.
 
#6
Thanks everybody... think I understand now.

I'm now looking specifically for a long scale as I really like the B string to have a strong fundamental tone. It's been over 35 years since I've been shopping for a Bass and the choices that are available now are mind blowing. There's hundreds of possibilities/adverts but near to where I live there's not many places that stock the basses so you can give it a good test run. Buying on-line may be the only option so for a start I may stick with the 5 string Ibanez range as I've read that they come with relatively thinner necks.
 
#8
Curlymike said:
...I'm now looking specifically for a long scale as I really like the B string to have a strong fundamental tone... ...I may stick with the 5 string Ibanez range as I've read that they come with relatively thinner necks.
Click to expand...

As others have noted, there are good B strings on 34" scale basses, but I prefer 35" scale for low B. I have a fretless 34" scale tuned EADGC made by Nino Valenti that I love. It sounds and feels OK with a low B, but Nino also built a 35" 5-string that I also now own, and the B is way better on that instrument. OK, pics!

EADGC 34" scale...
stealth_valenti_016.jpg


BEADG 35" scale...
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1370062557.154446.jpg
 
#9
Jim Carr said:
As others have noted, there are good B strings on 34" scale basses, but I prefer 35" scale for low B. I have a fretless 34" scale tuned EADGC made by Nino Valenti that I love. It sounds and feels OK with a low B, but Nino also built a 35" 5-string that I also now own, and the B is way better on that instrument. OK, pics!

EADGC 34" scale...
stealth_valenti_016.jpg


BEADG 35" scale...
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1370062557.154446.jpg
Click to expand...

That black Valenti is very VERY nice!!
 
#11
Curlymike said:
I never knew that it could be specifically designed to be tuned from E to C - I rang up a shop to ask if it was possible to buy with a low B. At first they didn't appreciate that it was an E to C build. Anyway, they eventually came back and said that low B isn't recommended but didn't really explain why.
Click to expand...

32" and 33" scale basses with a good B can be done and usually involves making the neck rigid as possible. Can it be done with Ibanez? Probably not.
 
#12
Obviously, having a high C string enables you to play higher notes in lower positions. So examine the music you play and decide if you spend a lot of time above the fifth fret on your G string. If you do, a E-C fiver may be for you. Bear in mind that the character of notes played on a C string at lower frets may not be the same as those notes played on a G string on higher frets becasue the C string gauge will be lighter than your G. You may be able to find a 34" scale fiver tuned B-G and simply restring E-C, but in some cases you may have to have a new nut cut so that the strings don't swim in the slots.
 
#13
The Malinoski 32" fiver I played had better tension on the B than all but a few Ibanez basses I've played. Of course, Pete is all about stability (dowelling the super thick fretboard to the neck, choosing stable, aged woods meticulously etc). Check out his stuff to see what I mean. Not saying it'll be in your price range or taste but his construction technique is incredible, coming from loads of woodworking experience as opposed to just following typical luthiery conventions.
 
#14
JACink said:
Not looking to start a debate here, but there are lots of short scale basses with good E strings, and also some very good short scale 5ers (and 6ers) with good B strings.
Click to expand...

Not looking to start a debate, but there is no question that there are good E strings. My point was that a short scale E string is about the limit. I WISH there were lots of short scale basses with very good B strings out there because I'd buy one. I used to play short scale a lot before I switched to 5+ strings. In some recent thread people were complaining that if any short scales had decent B strings they were only custom basses with prices way out of reach. I haven't played any of these expensive basses so I can't say about their B strings, but as far as production basses go, I haven't seen it.
 
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#15
bassbenj said:
Not looking to start a debate, but there is no question that there are good E strings. My point was that a short scale E string is about the limit. I WISH there were lots of short scale basses with very good B strings out there because I'd buy one. I used to play short scale a lot before I switched to 5+ strings. In some recent thread people were complaining that if any short scales had decent B strings they were only custom basses with prices way out of reach. I haven't played any of these expensive basses so I can't say about their B strings, but as far as production basses go, I haven't seen it.
Click to expand...

Sorry bassbenj, I obviously didn't understand your precious post well!

I do agree with what you just said, it seems you either pay a lot, or be very very lucky.

I would really like to try the Callowhill OBS, but unfortunately, unless they know a zero of the end, I won't be doing that any time soon.
 
#16
The Ibanez SR505 is a great bass if you like a thinner neck, its active electronics, but the tone controls work very well. I find it hard to adjust to a big difference in tension between the E and B strings, so much so that its put me off 5 strings, but the SR505 is pretty good in that department.
 
#17
I own a new btb 675 and love it. I just ordered a btb 33 and I'm going to string it B to G. I use a 35-125 set and will only have to modify the nut. I've found that the medium scale basses that I've owned have typically been free of dead spots on the g string. Warwick makes a medium scale rock bass 5 but I haven't been able to find it in stock anywhere. I don't anticipate any problems with the 33.
 

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