EADGC

[ba55i5t]

Originally was a 6 string player and never liked the sound of the high C. I'm really enjoying just the top 5 on my current 5 string. Also tbh, I'm not using the money range as much now either (0-4 frets), but opt to use E as 5th fret on B string moving up. Since I have the Curbow 5, I have the range of a 20 fret 6 string bass (B0-Ab4).

 

[bassbenj]

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.

I had my Carvin AC50 fretless I use for blues tuned EADGC for a while specifically to get the high range for solos. I presume same applies to jazz. Worked out great. Well almost great. Since I usually play 5 or 6 string bass (you don't DARE play a 6 string in blues) eventually I got lazy and missed the cross-neck ease of transposition etc. of BEADG and put it back sacrificing the stratospheric solos for generally more 5 string-like playing. When you Tune EADGC the bass plays very much like a 4 string rather than like a 5 string.

 

[TrevorG]

They are great for soloing in Jazz and fusion. Would prefer a second five string tuned that way than a heavy six string bass. Saw Miles Davis play and he had a piccolo bassist in the band - literally a lead guitarist with two strings missing! I wondered if it was an identity crisis. He was a great player though!!!

 

[eJake]

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

+1 and a laugh

I really want to try a BEAD setup but I do doubles all the time with a funk band at the early slot that I really don't need the B for and then a reggae/dancehall band that I really don't need the G for. So the 5 is a best of both worlds but still I miss playing my 4 string.

 

[Davbassdude]

I believe that configuration would be the "most comfortable" for me to play. However, since I've been more comfortable fooling around playing guitar, I've also gotten used to the B above the G! The low B affords a lower range that might be nice to have, but I haven't liked the feel. I'm really comfortable with the low E on the bottom.

 

[JonKim]

I usually go E-C unless the bass has an awesome B string! Mostly the longer scale basses I owned (35” scale) I would put a low B over the high C

 

[Matthew_84]

I have a 5 string fretless on order and I’m debating tuning it to DGCFBb, but piccolo (an octave above a low D).

Plan is to record stuff with my normal DGCF fretted doing the bassline, with my piccolo fretless doing the melody.

 

[Element Zero]

I experimented with that tuning a decade ago. Fun if you’re into soloing... which I’m not. But I enjoy listening and watching players who can/do play that tuning. Ultimately, i play bass for low notes. All 3 of my 5 strings have low Bs.

 

[Kmrumedy]

I've been playing EADGC since 1989. Just seemed natural to me.