Band tunes in drop C, I have a six-string - what do I do?

[kevteop]

The guitarists will be providing plenty of bass so just tune to whatever, high-pass out everything below 1k on your EQ and jus t clank along providing string/fret noise to whatever it is they're playing.

Or tune your bass an octave above their guitars and do all the solos.

 

[kanonfodr]

I would personally just tune the B string up to C and leave the rest as they are as a temporary measure until you can get your headless fixed. Or get a new set of strings for the bottom four and string it CGFCGC. Might need some setup adjustment but that should work.

Peace,
Greg

 

[dukeisdog]

How long are you planning on being w/o your headless? If acquiring a new/used bass in the meantime is not an option, remain in BEADGC and just deal with the lack of open strings...

Yup, I've been playing with my 5er in a cover band for a couple of months now, we go down as low as drop C, but I've just learned the neck better since I don't down tune. It takes a little while to get used to, but it's not that tough once you do.

 

[billardbass]

I play against guitars in Drop C. My 6 string basses (Ibanez SRFF806, 35.5"-33.6" and BTB686SC, 35") are both tuned G C G C F Bb. The BTB is strung with Kalium Strings (Gauges: .158 0.118, 0.090, 0.067, 0.049, 0.035). I still have the stock strings on the SR (0.130-0.032) but I have two sets on order. One from Kalium (0.166, 0.124, 0.086, 0.067, 0.049, 0.037) and one from Rotosound (0.175 Tapered, 0.125, 0.090, 0.070, 0.055, 0.035).

 

[Fergie Fulton]

The cool thing about tunings is they can represent what you do.....not represent any chord/key or tuning system.
if you used a 6 string and decided to tune it C D E A D G then that is your choice.
So the tuning between C -D is a tone, and D -E is a tone, and the rest is all 4ths makes no difference to the listener, it is just fingering options for you to use.
If you want an open string the tune one to be open, or tune however many you need, on the end it is for your use, so do not struggle, just tune to suit.

 

[descendent22]

Get rid of the 6 string