How do your tune your 5 string bass?

[EADG mx]

The high C seems to be increasing with popularity all the time so I thought I'd make this poll.

This is in reference to standard EADG tuning.


A "higher" string could be considered as anything higher than G2,

Conversely I'd consider a "lower" string any pitch lower than E1


Other is for any special cases, for example piccolo and sub-contra tunings. Extending in both directions (eg. tuning in 5ths) is kind of a grey area since it includes both a higher and a lower string, so I would base that on which direction your range extends further.

 

[EADG mx]

As for my vote I have tuned my 5 EADGC for several years but I am planning to switch back to BEADG as a permanent tuning, so I will vote for lower.

 

[SteveC]

B-G FOR ME.

 

[Laklandlover]

I tune down a whole step.

 

[line6man]

I am not a 5 string player, but if i were, i would tune higher.

I hardly even use my E string, so maybe i would go ADGC(F?).

 

[EADGC]

obvious.

 

[Ric5]

BEADG for me. I tried ADGCF and that was too low.

 

[LPpt]

I've got two 5's, one is tuned GDAEB and the other CGDAE.
The higher tuned one i use for jazz,chordal work or instrumental stuff.
The other one for rock/pop etc.. where the lower notes are often needed to acomodate the singer's voice, and I play in a more supportive role, rarely using the higher notes on the neck.
I if only had one, I guess I'd tune it lower.

 

[Deleted member 5551]

Lower.

 

[ShowKing]

BEADG standard

 

[Your41Plague12]

BEADG or ADGCF for me, so definitely lower.

 

[analog_freak]

E-A-D-G-C for me, and this allows some nice 2- and 3-string chords in the higher register. I think that's the way Steve Swallow tunes his 5-string. It starts to get up into the piccolo bass range.

I'm wondering if there are any short-scale 5-string basses on the market, as I'm gradually transitioning over to short-scale 4-string basses (Kydd EUB, SX-P style, Fretless Rob Allen Mouse). My goal is to be able to perform solo bass, much the way a Stick player or guitarist can play solo, in case a jazz gig were to come up and other players aren't available. The 30" scale is a tad more comfortable for smaller hands.

 

[MadMan118]

I used to go lower for that crushingly heavy metal chuga, chuga, chuga sound but recently Ive been going for that high C.

 

[BassAgent]

Both. I have 2 5-stringers, and I use 1 for BEADG-tuning, the other one has EADGC. My new 5-string will have a low B.

 

[allexcosta]

What would "other" be?

 

[NecroButcher]

I use DR Hi-Beams .45-.125 and tune C#, F#, B, E, A for tension

 

[ErebusBass]

I tune my fretted 5-strings WAY lower, ADGCF usually, occasionally i'll tune one of them up to BEADG. I just got some strings to tune my fretless EADGC, think I'll go put those on right now.

I voted lower, but I guess my answer would be to get more basses and do both.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I use BEADG strings but most of the I tune the B half a tone up to C.
It gives a bit more tension that I enjoy and I like to use C drones.
I once tried a high C but it does me no good. I turn to wanker mode and keep noodling and chording instead of doing my bassist job.

 

[eyvindwa]

(Significantly) lower: G C F Bb Eb

 

[fish slapper]

Just started playing 5's last year after 30 years of 4. Went with B mostly to get to Eb with all the Jazz tunes. Tempted to go with high C for the soloing some day.