How high can you tune a 5 string set

[andruca]

Some 20 years ago a guy I was teaching beginning bass tips to showed up with a short scale sorta' SG shaped bass with an ultra light set of strings (about like .030 to .090) tuned EADG in the same octave as a guitar. The thing was barely playable but held up (so did the strings, SCARY stiff to play). Closest thing to a miracle I've witnessed in my life.

 

[groooooove]

i don't need to read this thread to know someone else already said this

that much extra tension will do damage to the neck. that's a lot worse than the cost of switching strings.

there's a reason its not a thing anyone else does, because its really a bad move.

 

[BassikLee]

Probably the same reason as why some people feel they need more than 10 basses.

I have fifty some odd basses. Precisely how does that have anything to do with tuning strings higher until they break?

 

[gln1955]

Here, hold my beer....

 

[yberwaffe]

I have fifty some odd basses. Precisely how does that have anything to do with tuning strings higher until they break?

The keyword is "need"

 

[micguy]

Just so you know, tuning a string an octave higher requires 4 times the tension. So a string that normally has 40 pounds on it will have 160. I had an aluminum necked Kramer who's neck would probably be OK with that, but the neck to body joint, maybe not. And the strings are lethal weapons at that kind of tension.

Wear a helmet with a Lexan face shield if you're even going to attempt that tuning. Hopefully, the broken string end won't sever a major artery in your arm when it breaks. How good is your health insurance? Do you live really close to a hospital with a good ER? Do you have tourniquets at home?

 

[garp]

Ask Mr. Owl.

Thank you for that flashback!

 

[BassikLee]

The keyword is "need"

Spoiler alert, none of us NEEDS a single bass.

 

[GC34]

He got the guitar Low E up to D. That might be the note bass .105 low E breaks at. Might be lower on a 36.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

I think I'd have to be really really high to want to tune my string up to it's breaking point.

 

[7615]

Low A - High F - those strings are available and will not strain the neck. Depends on bass but I would never tune more than 1 tone up.

 

[logdrum]

Why the H would you do this - specially a 36 scale?

 

[Killing Floor]

...til it pops?

 

[JW56789]

And as always, recycle.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

String gauge is directly related to optimal pitch/tension.

I worked very hard on figuring out proper string gauges since I build fan fret instruments.
I've also got a great gauge setup for a 4 string tuned from low C in 5ths, great range for a 4 string with very even tension across the strings.

It's the same idea as putting long scale strings on a short scale bass, nowhere near the tone, short scale strings work much better.

WARNING: If you take those up an octave, you will break strings and tweak the neck badly.

Think about scale length, have you ever seen a guitar player with bass gauge strings?

Seems to me if you have some theory you're looking to promote, you are the one to have to experiment and prove your theory.

And of course heed my warning above, and don't blame me.
Dirk

 

[Doner Designs]

I think you can go up maybe a fourth. In other words you might be able to turn a D string up to G in some cases. Depends on the thickness of the core.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

How hard can I hit myself in the kneecap before it breaks?

 

[Cutter8]

My only thought is that I truly hope the OP wears safety goggles when he retunes that extended scale bass and tries to crank the .130 B and .105 E strings up an octave!

 

[Cutter8]

How hard can I hit myself in the kneecap before it breaks?

 

[GC34]

Low B might be able only go up a sixth on a 36. Better chance for an octave on a 34 or 35 scale. A fourth should not be a problem except for G string and possibly D string.