bass and treble.

[xxfaux_punkxx]

So I've been having this idea circeling my head for a while now. I'm thinking that if I get a 6 string bass I could tune it to guitar standard and play guitar riffs on it or even possibly putting guitar p-ups in a 6 string bass, and no I'm ot going to the dark side. I'm just wondering if it'll work.

 

[ourworldisgrey]

Yes, they already have them, though they are short scale. Some examples are the Fender Bass VI and the Schecter Hellcat VI. Agile(rondo music) also has two models.

 

[xxfaux_punkxx]

I think a full scale would be interesting. Not real big on short scales.

 

[MPica]

You can tune each string to whatever you want, as long as you have the right strings and a proper set up on the bass.

 

[Yakob]

Six string piccolo bass?

 

[-db]

You can tune each string to whatever you want, as long as you have the right strings and a proper set up on the bass.

Agreed. Seeing how 6 string basses are usually tuned BEADGC, tuning the same strings up to EADGBE might create some problems.

 

[KeithAlanK]

Seeing how 6 string basses are usually tuned BEADGC, tuning the same strings up to EADGBE might create some problems.

You will need a new nut with smaller grooves for the correct strings, and that's about it as far as hardware.
A pro setup job, too.

The main question is, are your hands big enough to play guitar chords on a bass?
I know I could never reach all the notes on some of the chords I play on guitar--I've tried.

Here's where you are in luck--just go into a store with a full-scale 6 bass and try all your favorite chords.

Can you reach?
Then go for it.

 

[darkstorm]

For sixer your gonna have the problem of very wide neck compared to guitar. Making playing a lot of guitar stuff impossible unless your very very creative with how you do 4 and more string chords etc. The EADGB string aspect of the desired tuning is quite simple. Is the higher 5 strings of normal 6 string bass with high B instead of C. But that means little less tension for the B string. Getting a suitable string for the high E string might be difficult from many brands.

Guitar pups wont work for such a bass since theyre not nearly wide enough. Which brings us back to that very very wide neck compared to guitar.

I'd suggest getting five string bass and tuning it EADGB. Narrow enough necks are available with brands like Ibanez.

For example of bass doubling guitar parts theres stuff like Jonas Hellborg on bass with John Mclaughlin on guitar.

 

[xxfaux_punkxx]

For sixer your gonna have the problem of very wide neck compared to guitar. Making playing a lot of guitar stuff impossible unless your very very creative with how you do 4 and more string chords etc. The EADGB string aspect of the desired tuning is quite simple. Is the higher 5 strings of normal 6 string bass with high B instead of C. But that means little less tension for the B string. Getting a suitable string for the high E string might be difficult from many brands.

Guitar pups wont work for such a bass since theyre not nearly wide enough. Which brings us back to that very very wide neck compared to guitar.

I'd suggest getting five string bass and tuning it EADGB. Narrow enough necks are available with brands like Ibanez.

For example of bass doubling guitar parts theres stuff like Jonas Hellborg on bass with John Mclaughlin on guitar.

sounds like a good idea. Next time i'm at gc I'll noodle around with some sixers to see if i can work with them. I'm lucky enough to have big hands so it might work but no telling until I try it. If worse comes to worse though I might be able to make a neck the width of a guitar neck but with the bass length.

 

[finneytron]

You can use normal 4 string bass strings for the first 4 strings, then the corresponding string guage for the next two. Just wondering why? will you use the b and e strings that often?

 

[Thunder Pulse]

You can use normal 4 string bass strings for the first 4 strings

You're suggesting he takes a set of standard gauge bass strings and tune them up an entire octave?

Let's start a pool; I say he ends up taking out both eyes. Anyone else?