I got a stupid question for y'all

[Seth DuSith]

Okay.... Can you put guitar strings... But tuned the same as bass strings... On a regular 34" scale bass.

I want a baritone guitar tuned like a bass, can I just do this with an existing bass I own? I want it to sound like a guitar too

 

[Lammchop93]

are you saying put 4 baritone strings on a bass? Or 6?

if 6, your pickup pole pieces won’t align correct unless it’s soap bar pickups.

either scenario you would need a new nut and probably bridge to accommodate the small gauge.

I wouldn’t do it. I’d just get a used baritone guitar.

 

[Joeywhat]

Electric guitars are 9" shorter in scale. Short answer is no.

Have you heard of a bass VI? Invalid Link Removed

 

[Seth DuSith]

Trynna avoid buying another bass is one reason I wondered haha. Trynna slow my roll on buying basses since I just bought a new one

 

[MattZilla]

If you find some long enough, you’ll just have a really really low tension string bass guitar and have to be real careful about not sharping any/every fretted note.

boiinnng.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Okay.... Can you put guitar strings...

Yes. Or maybe: some are long enough, some aren't: get a bunch online or from a physical shop, of different brands, and see if they fit.

But tuned the same as bass strings...

"the same", how? same octave as a bass (E1 = 41.203 Hz)? one octave up, like a guitar (E2 = 82.407 Hz)? Please clarify.

I want a baritone guitar tuned like a bass, can I just do this with an existing bass I own?

Is it a 6-string bass?

I want it to sound like a guitar too

As soon as you clarify the tuning, I could try and give you tips on gauges.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Okay.... Can you put guitar strings... But tuned the same as bass strings... On a regular 34" scale bass.

I want a baritone guitar tuned like a bass, can I just do this with an existing bass I own? I want it to sound like a guitar too

Guitar strings (if you can find some long enough) tuned like a bass, will sound much like a bass, except for all the fret noise.

 

[J Wilson]

Sure you can. Just buy 34" guitar strings.

 

[naetog]

You can try piccolo strings.
I have the D'addario set linked below on one of my basses, and it is SUPER fun to have a different timbre on a familiar feeling instrument.
EXL280 Nickel Wound Piccolo | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

It really provides a wonderful inspiration being so different sonically.

Example (forgive the $h!t playing):

 

[Londo Molari]

 

[monsterthompson]

I just put the ADGC strings from a six string set on my sort scale and tuned it BEAD. It works. It got me looking for piccolo bass strings like these.
25-65 Piccolo Nickel Bass 5-String

Of course you could go full Lightning Bolt...

Brian Gibson (musician) - Wikipedia
Brian Gibson is particularly known for his unique and complex set-up, tuning, and use of his bass guitar. The majority of Gibson's playing draws on fairly simple loops and major/minor chord structures, yet also employs more advanced guitar techniques, such as tapping. Gibson’s bass guitar is normally tuned to standard cello tuning in intervals of fifths (C G D A E), with the high A and E strings being banjo strings. Gibson uses a high amount of distortion, feedback and effects. In juxtaposition to Chippendale's frenetic drums, Gibson's playing often acts as a rhythm section of sorts. With the use of his many effect pedals, Gibson often creates multiple layers of his own bass riffs. Due to the high level of distortion used, "lead" playing style, and high register tuning of his instrument, Gibson is often mistaken for a guitarist.

 

[MrAB4003]

You can try piccolo strings.
I have the D'addario set linked below on one of my basses, and it is SUPER fun to have a different timbre on a familiar feeling instrument.
EXL280 Nickel Wound Piccolo | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario
It really provides a wonderful inspiration being so different sonically.

Example (forgive the $h!t playing):

This is the correct answer! All the lead and rhythm "guitar" parts on my latest album are in fact piccolo bass. Why? Because I'm terrible at regular guitar.

 

[prowla]

Well, my thoughts are:

• the octave strings for an 8-string bass are just longer guitar strings, but down-tuning them would leave then too slack.
• If you're after lighter gauge strings then you can get 30-gauge bass strings, or even buy a high-C 5-string set and try down-tuning them just 5 semitones rather than a full octave.
• It might work on a short scale bass.

 

[prowla]

Well, that was interesting!

 

[BismarckHerring]

Another example:

 

[themickster]

Okay.... Can you put guitar strings... But tuned the same as bass strings... On a regular 34" scale bass.

I want a baritone guitar tuned like a bass, can I just do this with an existing bass I own? I want it to sound like a guitar too

There's nothing stupid about asking it.

 

[EvilJ]

Try 'Newtone Strings' in the UK. You can pretty much customize everything.

 

[KellyC]

Trynna avoid buying another bass is one reason I wondered haha. Trynna slow my roll on buying basses since I just bought a new one

You can find gig-worthy baritones for under $1k. Even the cardboard Danelectro's are usable instruments. I understand your hoarding hesitation, but they are very worthwhile instruments to have around to keep the fire stoked, especially if you are a writer/composer. I've never been without one.

 

[BAG]

You can find gig-worthy baritones for under $1k. Even the cardboard Danelectro's are usable instruments. I understand your hoarding hesitation, but they are very worthwhile instruments to have around to keep the fire stoked, especially if you are a writer/composer. I've never been without one.

The Squier Paranormal Baritone is decent value. I bought one off my guitarist friend a few weeks ago. Really good fun to pay. I'm still working out which songs it works for but for just playing around it is the most fun I've had in a quite a while.

 

[Doug4321]

Stanley Clarke did a bunch on piccolo bass BTW. Just a bass with thinner strings tuned an octave up.