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E-A-D-G-C

#2
I guess it depends on how you play

do you find yourself normally pretty high on the neck, then having to make big jumps for low notes? Then you would probably benefit more from a low B

but if you're normally playing down low on the neck, then having to make jumps for high stuff, you could probably use a C more

In terms of comping, you would only really gain like.. 5 more notes, so it would help, but not a huge ammount
 
#4
Panda Licker said:
In terms of comping, you would only really gain like.. 5 more notes, so it would help, but not a huge ammount
Click to expand...

It's not the amount of new notes- it's that it's much easier to play chords and they sound much cleaner when you are using a high C.

Right now my fretted five is strung E-C...after I had to sell my six, I wanted to still have a high C around as I use the C string much more that the B. Problem is, I really like the low B. I need another fretted :hmm: :p
 
#5
My new Carvin fretless 5-string is strung with a high C. I use it all the time for soloing - if my band covers a song with a sax solo, for example, I can get a great tone for that with the high C on the fretless. We also recently covered U2's "Running to Stand Still", and I played both the guitar intro and the harmonica outro.

It also helps a lot in general to be able to jump over to that string without having to shift up the neck, and you can throw in chords and stuff more easily.

I also don't think I would ever have a use for a low B.
 
#6
:cool:
Great for soloing.

I had one of my 5-string tuned EADGC.
But after playing it for a few months.
I came to conclusion, I like BEADG, better.
Just suites my style better.

Have no need to play a 6-string just for a high C.
 
#7
i play a fretless stingray 5 stung with a high C. i was surprised at how even the C string sounds.
typically, i find that C stings have a wierd tempre, but mine sounds sweet.
i like the high C for soloing, chords, and more harmonics (i rarely used B string harminics).
the only issue that i have is that i need a new nut... smaller stings means smaller nut slots.
I added a hipshot detuner tuned to a D (it can go lower). now, i have a bigger and more practical range (for my playing style) than a low B 5. My bass i also less combersome than a 6.
On a side note, i still have a 5-string with a low B. when i buy stings, i get one 6-string set and one 4-string set and save some $$$ when restringing my basses.
 
#9
ao'connor17 said:
we are BASS players. we may need to solo, but we don't play high notes.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:
Dream on, kid. That's like saying guitar players don't play low notes. Go tell a tenor sax player that he shouldn't play high notes because they're in an alto's range or a double bass player that he shouldn't be playing high notes using thumb position and prepare to get slapped.

I play bass guitar. It's an instrument, not a role. My instrument has note tones that are both low and high. I can spend all day on the highest notes of my bass guitar, and I'll still be a bass player, because that's the instrument I'm playing. Maybe YOU don't play high notes. That's fine and dandy. You also have no say in what bass players do and don't play, so get over it.
 
#11
Bryan R. Tyler said:
:rolleyes:
Dream on, kid. That's like saying guitar players don't play low notes. Go tell a tenor sax player that he shouldn't play high notes because they're in an alto's range or a double bass player that he shouldn't be playing high notes using thumb position and prepare to get slapped.

I play bass guitar. It's an instrument, not a role. My instrument has note tones that are both low and high. I can spend all day on the highest notes of my bass guitar, and I'll still be a bass player, because that's the instrument I'm playing. Maybe YOU don't play high notes. That's fine and dandy. You also have no say in what bass players do and don't play, so get over it.
Click to expand...

Well said. I don't own a 5 string, but you would only gain 5 notes if you go lower as well, and you can tune down for that, whereas it's harder to tune up. I've broken a couple strings even occasionally tuning up just a whole step on G.
 
#15
As soon as I get my newest purchase home, I am stringing it EADGC. I just love to noodle around with melody and solos at home in front of my PC with music on the speakers. Maybe I will work some on chords too in the future, so I'll be ready if the need should arise in a smaller type band or setting.
 
#16
For the input/experiences.

Lately I have been considering a high C to create comping tracks for my jazz walking practice. Soloing is a great reason too.

When I switched from guitar to bass one of the reasons was less strings.....now it turns out if it's tuned in fourths....keep em' coming.

I assumed more people opt for a low B in a five but maybe that is an incorrect assumption.
 

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