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High C or Low B on a 5 string

N

namraj

Feb 7, 2008
890
6
#1
I have just bought a 5 string and having had it tuned BEADG for a couple of weeks i found that the B was floppy and muddy, i decided to buy a new B string with a larger gage, then realised I didn't know what gage I was using so I though hell why not mix it up and go higher, I bought a new G (to replace the D and a new C to replace the G) I am very happy with the sound but I now cnt go lower than E. I don't really ever need to but it is nice to have the ability to, have I made the right decicion? within my band my pianist wants the ability for me to play bellow the bottom E but neither me nor my singer (who is also a bass player) feel the need, what should I do?
 
#2
Hi Namraj,
BEADG is the most popular tuning for 5-string, but a substantial minority of players choose EADGC instead. It is really a matter of what's right for the music you play. If you need the occasional low D or Eb, one option is to drop tune to DADGC. If you frequently need to go lower than that, I recommend BEADG. Good luck!
 
#4
I find a 5er is made to be strung with a B. I mainly use my B string as a thumbrest but it is nice to be able to play Eb or low B without detuning. Also, I play a bit of blues. The Bstring makes Blues in E easier for me as I prefer the 5th position on the B than open E.

To each their own.
 
#5
In your case, I'd say go with the pianist's demands and string it BEADG, as long as the gig is worth it. I actually ended up getting a 6 string because quite a few people wanted to hear notes on the low B string. That way, both strings are there if I need them.
 
#6
Baird6869 said:
I find a 5er is made to be strung with a B. I mainly use my B string as a thumbrest but it is nice to be able to play Eb or low B without detuning. Also, I play a bit of blues. The Bstring makes Blues in E easier for me as I prefer the 5th position on the B than open E.

To each their own.
Click to expand...

:cool:
I agree.
A 5-string for me is all about the low B.

I did tune EADGC for a while. ( But went back to BEADG)

If you need a high C that much, just go to 6-string.
 
#11
I actually wanted to tune my bass to E-C when I first got it. I haven't, because I haven't really been in any kind of gigging bands, and I don't want to buy new strings. But if I do pick up a second bass, as I plan to, one of them is going E-C and I'll keep the other B-G.
 
#13
i would go with high C always. It depends what you want from bass and what type of music you play. I find high c more useful for chords and improvisation and I'm into jazz.
Right now I have a six string so I have best of both worlds. I use high C much more tho. I think 5er with high c would suit me best
On a sixer all the time I have to mute the B string from ringing.. annoying but I got used to it
 
#15
I'd go with a 6 too. To me, even numbers of strings, such as 4, 6, 8:D, look "aristocratic" and "civilised", for the lack of better words, while odd numbers, 5, 7, 9, look "rogue"-ish, especially when in X+1 over X tuner configurations. So the "civilised" look would suit you better:p.

Ontopic, if you can handle the neck, go for a 6. I always felt the lack of 1 or 2 extra strings on my 5er, like a C and F for soloing and chords, and an F# for the occasional rumble, but mostly for the best feeling thumbrest (i use the B as often as any other string, especially since on a 5 chord positions and arpeggios are somewhat limited). I've never known the feeling of too many strings, and I don't think I'm gonna experience it anytime soon...
 
#17
IMHO, for everyday most of the gigs use it's a low B... That is why I wanted a 5 string.

Though I have been wanting to get a fretless and am thinking how cool would it be to have a fretless 5 w/ a high C.

And if I read right, the OP went on the use the C because his B string was floppy... Unless the C is really what you want musically, I say get a bass with a better low B... IMHO.
 
#18
Having the low B string does make it easier to play higher up on the fretboard. The tone from the 5th fret to the 12th fret is smoother sounding than playing the same thing lower on the fretboard. Plus, I can bring in the low notes whenever I need to, especially with 5ths and octaves.
 

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