EADGC

[GM60466]

I have noticed several 5 string players have begun to tune their bass EADGC. These are most Jazz cats who play in the higher positions. any opinions or comments.

 

[eJake]

Everything has a time and a place and all that, but not for me. I stay in bass land usually well below the 12th fret.

 

[IPA]

If I wanted to play guitar, I'd buy one. Gimme some low notes!

 

[Mushroo]

5 string basses have been tuned EADGC since at least 1965. It's not a new concept.

Fender Bass V - Wikipedia

 

[nonohmic]

It's the only 5 string I'd consider. Do not like that low B no siree

 

[JRA]

the only way i'd play 5 strings. if i played 5 strings. (would be fretless.)

that arrangement is common.

 

[Garret Graves]

I play a 6 usually so I have both on one instrument. But my 5’s are BEADG- that to me is the most logical for an instrument known to be a Contra ranged instrument. E1 (the open E string) is low, but keyboards go lower, to A0(open B is B0, a mere whole step higher). I get it though- I admire guys like Janek Gwizdala, who tune E-C

 

[Nephilymbass]

I have noticed several 5 string players have begun to tune their bass EADGC. These are most Jazz cats who play in the higher positions. any opinions or comments.

It’s fun. I first tried it when my bass collection was at its biggest. at the time all the basses I owned were warwick or musicman 5 strings and I was mainly just playing My thumb nt5 but I also owned a thumb bo5 and a corvette. Because I wasn’t using them much at all I decided to try different tunings. Strung one super low f# bead and one eadgc. Because those basses had adjustable nuts it wasn’t difficult to do.

Janek Gwizdala is probably my favorite player That uses eadgc on his main 5 strings. HE does own a dozen or so basses and has 2 5s setup beadg but anytime you see him playing solo/looping stuff its with with the eadgc
Basses. If you hear anything lower in that stuff it’s usually a boss oc-2 or a dod meatbox

They are fun for chords, tapping, and soloing

 

[the_home]

My 5s are strung 'high'. As has been mentioned, it lends itself to chording and upper register flights. There are a few songs in the originals band I play with that includes bass rhythm chord playing through most of the song.

 

[Jughead6]

I like DGCFA# personally.

 

[JES]

I do it, but can and do drop down to C on the lowest string when needed. Want to experiment with CGDAE as well.

 

[MEKer]

Had I a fiver, I would indeed go EADGC.

 

[mikewalker]

I have a five-string arpeggione tuned that way, and it is marvelous fun. Still cannot wrap my head around a 5-string electric bass though...

 

[Slade N]

yet another pick your flavor question, im a beadg fella myself but have no issue with anyone tuning their basses as they choose. id prefer to go bead but that pesky g string gets used just enough to stick around. if you want more strings, and you want to tune them to minor 2nds, then go for it

 

[Mili]

I saw Janek Gwizdala, i like to do that, but i can't solo and improvisation so i kept the Low B.

 

[esa372]

E-C on a fretless is beautiful.

 

[smperry]

All of my fivers are BEADG.

*But* my six string is EADGCF. I rarely gig that one, but it's a fun alternative or composition tool.

 

[ERIC31]

BEADG for my 5er and sometimes I drop that B string down when I’m playing old KORN tunes. Yes I am a fan of that band and FIELDY.

 

[lukatch]

If I wanted to play guitar, I'd buy one. Gimme some low notes!

It's not for that. High C simply allows you to play the same riffs in one position without shifting. It comes in handy when you're reading a part and don't want to take your eyes off the page to look at the neck.

 

[Slevage]

Much easier when reading— less shifting.

I have 5 basses (two of them EUBs), all sport a high C.
Hope to get a 5 string double bass soon.
I used to have a 1941 Kay, pre chubby Jackson 5.