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5-string Tuning Question
- Thread starter AObando2002
- Start date
Back when I played in a Modern Rock band, I tuned my 5 string DEADG.
I wouldn't want to say which is best but tuning in fourths (such as BEADG) is the most common tuning for 5ers that is out there. Typically when you pull one off the wall at a dealer a 5 or 6 string bass would be tuned in fourths and the low string a B. Your mileage may vary.
I'd start with BEADG, it's definitely the most common.
I’ve played a whole lotta music of about all kinds on BEADG.
That’s a good place to at least start.
That’s a good place to at least start.
BEADG is best for 99.99999% of most music in the know universe. Best to start there and figure out for yourself if that is best for your own needs. Then, salt to taste. 
I bought my first 5 string about 9 months ago. Right off the bat tuned AEADG. Chris Squire tuned his that way for the "Big Generator" album. What did you buy how's it going compared to a 4string?
I’ve been tuning one of my basses B C# F# B E and I like it
BEADG uses the standard tuning from a bass guitar and the big string is a fourth lower, which is the same interval as the others. So the fingerboard harmony relationship extends to the new string (one string and two frets up = 5th and so on).
Technically no right answer if you have a musical situation driving a certain approach, but if not this is the standard.
Technically no right answer if you have a musical situation driving a certain approach, but if not this is the standard.
I've always runs BEADG. I'm not smart enough for alternate tunings, and never played any drop-tune stuff.
As others have said, BEADG is the standard. I would start with that, which will make it by far the easiest to learn and access learning material that's written for the standard tuning. You can always make changes later if you really run into a situation that requires a different tuning, but there's no need to start there. Then you're just a solution searching for a problem.
It depends on what you need from it. If you're a soloist then perhaps EADGC might suit you for it's higher range. If metal is your thing perhaps a bottom A or lower might be what you need.
If not, BEADG gives you the familiarity of the standard 4 string plus you have better access and more range across the neck so your fretting hand has less movement along the neck. I use the 5th fret E on the B string much more than I use the open E. It sounds fatter. If you play with wind instruments that use the Eb key a lot then you can easily accommodate them too.
While you only get 5 more notes below they are very useful. Playing in D sounds fat and stronger than the higher D. Playing songs in A allows for great drop down/walk up from the lower C#. I use most of the B string right up to around the 10th fret quite a lot. The access across the neck works very well for me and the bass sounds full in that area. For these reasons, 5 strings is all I play now.
Give some thought to what you want from 5 strings.
If not, BEADG gives you the familiarity of the standard 4 string plus you have better access and more range across the neck so your fretting hand has less movement along the neck. I use the 5th fret E on the B string much more than I use the open E. It sounds fatter. If you play with wind instruments that use the Eb key a lot then you can easily accommodate them too.
While you only get 5 more notes below they are very useful. Playing in D sounds fat and stronger than the higher D. Playing songs in A allows for great drop down/walk up from the lower C#. I use most of the B string right up to around the 10th fret quite a lot. The access across the neck works very well for me and the bass sounds full in that area. For these reasons, 5 strings is all I play now.
Give some thought to what you want from 5 strings.
BEADG is based on centuries of practice with the Double Bass. If you’re moving from a four string EADG and do any reading at all, adding the B string puts the notes that extend below low E underneath the E string. It’s much easier to adjust to that than adding a high C string above the G which totally relocates the string that most of use to position our hands with as a guide. Moving the B string down to a D or C changes the interval relationship between each string. Just my take of course.
The timing of this post is hilarious. I also just bought a 5 string to play that low B. Went to learn Limp Bizkit's Rollin'. It's dropped to G#. HOW?? It's like a wet noodle!
But yeah. Standard tuning for most stuff.
But yeah. Standard tuning for most stuff.
BEADG...learn this...then you can choose later.
The symmetry by just adding the low B makes it marvelous to play.
Don't complicate it at first...or ever
The symmetry by just adding the low B makes it marvelous to play.
Don't complicate it at first...or ever
I tried a couple options, but settled on B-standard (BEADG) for now. Works well, and is familiar because it's EADG with a low B.
I tried EADGC, but found the C a little thin sounding. So I dropped that, first a half step, then a full step... D-standard (DGCFBb) worked very well sonically and musically, giving you a few extra high notes and a few extra low notes. But, I did find the reach to the 5th/D string a bit much, and I had to do it all the time, which got annoying fast. With BEADG, the access to the 4th/E string is fine, and it's not a problem to occasionally dip lower to the B string. I also tried
C-standard (half step up), to tighten up the 5th/C string, but found the overall tension and sound was not quite to my liking... just too tight, even with light-gauge strings.
So yeah, B-standard works well. I might consider one day doing it half step down (Bb-standard) as it gives the classic Eb tuning on the first four strings (+extended lower range), which could cover a bit more ground, but I do have an Eb-tuned 4 string bass right now to do that, so...
I tried EADGC, but found the C a little thin sounding. So I dropped that, first a half step, then a full step... D-standard (DGCFBb) worked very well sonically and musically, giving you a few extra high notes and a few extra low notes. But, I did find the reach to the 5th/D string a bit much, and I had to do it all the time, which got annoying fast. With BEADG, the access to the 4th/E string is fine, and it's not a problem to occasionally dip lower to the B string. I also tried
C-standard (half step up), to tighten up the 5th/C string, but found the overall tension and sound was not quite to my liking... just too tight, even with light-gauge strings.
So yeah, B-standard works well. I might consider one day doing it half step down (Bb-standard) as it gives the classic Eb tuning on the first four strings (+extended lower range), which could cover a bit more ground, but I do have an Eb-tuned 4 string bass right now to do that, so...
BEADG. If you prefer the feel of a 105-45 set on your 4 strings, try 130-105-85-65-45 for BEADG.
