I know 5 strings are tuned B E A D G. If one were tuned E A D G C or E A D G B would the neck break/bend and would the strings snap?
Shouldn't be any problems like that. You may need to modify your nut to accomodate the skinnier strings. Also, maybe a bridge and neck setup.
Also, make sure you're not going out ripping the beaks off live owls. It's probably OK if they're already dead, but I'd check with Fish and Game first to make sure it's not illegal just to have owl beaks, as it is with eagle feathers.
My opinion is that you can tune a 5-string however you want. Tuning it higher might be good for soloing or chordal playing. The only problems would be with setup. You would probably need a new nut, or something stuck in the nut slots. You might need to adjust the neck and intonation. I have a big crush on my B-string, though.
Shhhhh! Its nighttime! You dont want to scare the little owls as I try to catch them. We must whisper. And I dont need no permission to do that! I got myself a John Deere hat!
I use EADGC tuning on my Fodera Emperor and all it needed was a neck adjustment. The other comments regarding a new nut might be necessary too, it just depends on your bass.
