Does anyone run their 5 string in A standard tuning and use it for everything?

[Jason Bonilla]

I just received a Multiscale 5 string and thought to myself, If I tune down to A standard and use a capo, I'll essentially have a Medium scale bass in E Standard, standard scale in Eb standard, and an A Standard long scale, the bass has 24 frets so I'd have no less then 22 frets at any given tuning with a capo. does anyone else run their bass like this?

It seems like something that lends itself better to multiscale basses like mine (which is only 36" at the 5th, not 37 like Dingwall and Kiesel), but I'm sure could be done to varying degrees of success on a properly set up 34 or 35" scale bass. I've been super busy so I haven't had time to take any pics of the bass.

 

[RavenousPoe]

Not exactly this, but similar! ...Or at least I should be, soon. Going to try another 5 string that's being delivered on Monday that I intend to use half step down (A# Standard) so that I can use it in both of my metal bands. One is in Drop B, and the other in Drop C#. Guitarist in Drop B band wanted to try A# anyways, and I saw the opportunity to get a 5 string and just tune the D# down to a C# when playing with the other band.

Can't guarantee that I'll stick with it, as I've sold all of my 5 strings and sworn off of them before, but I'll find out soon!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I've experimented with it but never need to go that low. I do love having the top four strings tuned to DGCF though.

Andrew Gouche tunes to A standard.

I never tried the capo thing though

 

[Jason Bonilla]

I've experimented with it but never need to go that low. I do love having the top four strings tuned to DGCF though.

Andrew Gouche tunes to A standard.

I never tried the capo thing though

theres a few songs I have never been able to properly learn because i used to refuse to downtune, i can finally learn Panic Attack by Dream Theater with out it being harder than necessary since it was recorded in A Standard, theres also some Dir en Grey songs in A standard or Drop A, So far im enjoying this tuning on this bass atleast.

 

[TheJoshinator]

Yeah, I used to do this, and it works great! I like playing with pretty heavy tension, so I had to max out the spring adjustment on my capo, but it does the job. The versatility is nice for sure, being able to use open-string vocabulary in more keys. There are no rules, cheat 'til ya win!

(Side note: I say "used to" because I've since switched to a fifths-based tuning on my 37-34 multiscale, but I still use a capo for a different reason. Tuning in fifths, half of the 12 keys don't hit open strings at all, which makes certain patterns a real pain. Capo on the first fret makes that problem go away.)

 

[MrAB4003]

I would do this if I had a 5 string bass. Adding the low A is a natural progression for me because I tune all my 4 strings to D Standard. If I ever need Eb Standard or E Standard, I simply put my capo on my bass and play.

 

[iplay5strings]

I've played exclusively in A standard for well over a decade at this point. Standard tuning doesn't even sound good to my ears anymore because it lacks that extra booty the loosened strings give.

 

[Lenny JG]

Any bass that has more than 4 strings, I keep in drop A, and I have one six thats in drop EA. I also like 4s in drop A. If you like standard better than drop you should do that for sure. The extra low notes help a lot.

 

[Gopherbassist]

I think Dingwall was shipping basses with capos for a short time to encourage just such useage. Let us know how it works!

 

[jjk2007]

Never did the capo thing but had a Peavey Cirrus 5 back in the day that I kept tuned down to A standard. Loved the feel of the string tension and every so often would bust out that low A to rattle the rafters….

 

[pepj]

No chance.
Nobody likes a droning B string ...or even a D note
Touch lightly, go there infrequently and tastefully and you'll get little resistance even from die hard trads, imv.

 

[Sonny Savage]

I play an Ibanez EHB 1505 MS tuned to A Standard. I'm in a cover band, and we play a lot of '90s rock music. A handful of songs use open strings in B Standard, so I use a capo for those.

 

[B-Mac]

I just received a Multiscale 5 string and thought to myself, If I tune down to A standard and use a capo, I'll essentially have a Medium scale bass in E Standard, standard scale in Eb standard, and an A Standard long scale, the bass has 24 frets so I'd have no less then 22 frets at any given tuning with a capo. does anyone else run their bass like this?

It seems like something that lends itself better to multiscale basses like mine (which is only 36" at the 5th, not 37 like Dingwall and Kiesel), but I'm sure could be done to varying degrees of success on a properly set up 34 or 35" scale bass. I've been super busy so I haven't had time to take any pics of the bass.

No