Kala Ubass tuned in 5ths?

[Pete Langford]

Any ideas on this? I saw a great cellist using the NS electric fretted cello and thought it might be interesting to try in on my Ubass. It would be tuned (low to high) G-D-A-E. Could be an interesting experiment, not sure what strings I could use. Any ideas?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Your problem is going to be trying to keep the combined tension similar to the stock setup, to avoid stressing the neck too much.
It's going to be difficult to select the right string gauges w/o proper data on tension at specific tunings.

 

[Pete Langford]

The tension is so low on these "rubber" strings I don't know. I was thinking about "weed wacker" strings.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Can you buy weed whacker nylons in different gauges?
You'd need 4 separate diameter strings to keep the tension relatively even across all four strings.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

I considered the same thing a while back. My plan was to get a 5-string set and uptune the "B" to C, toss the "E", downtune the "A" to G, leave the "D" as is, and uptune the "G" to A.

 

[Garret Graves]

I considered the same thing a while back. My plan was to get a 5-string set and uptune the "B" to C, toss the "E", downtune the "A" to G, leave the "D" as is, and uptune the "G" to A.

Give it a try! Sounds like a reasonable plan to me. The feel between strings might be very different. The G floppy and the A tight.

 

[Pete Langford]

I've heard some rockabilly guys use weed wacker strings The idea about the 5 string set sounds like it might work. Here's a line..Weedwacker Upright Double Bass Strings for Rockabilly Many Colors Kevlar Core Nylon

 

[HighD]

I want to use my Oscar Schmidt ukulele bass to try it. I want to get a set of 5-string flat wounds.

 

[Paragon3]

old thread but the string packs exist now..

Aquila 91U THUNDER REDS, BASS Ukulele/Ashbory Set 4-string, GDAE Tuning

or

Aquila 68U Bass Ukulele Strings Thundergut, GDAE, Tuning Stability [Set of 4] White

just so nobody tries any stupidity in 2021 about this.. closure is good

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've been looking at those strings, they've been around a long time & they're tuned EADG (4ths), but the Italian factory that makes them starts from the high strings:

 

[HaphAsSard]

old thread but the string packs exist now..

Aquila 91U THUNDER REDS, BASS Ukulele/Ashbory Set 4-string, GDAE Tuning

or

Aquila 68U Bass Ukulele Strings Thundergut, GDAE, Tuning Stability [Set of 4] White

just so nobody tries any stupidity in 2021 about this.. closure is good

I've been looking at those strings, they've been around a long time & they're tuned EADG (4ths), but the Italian factory that makes them starts from the high strings:

View attachment 4134972

^ This. The tradition, here, is to list open string pitches in a tuning from treble to bass. Not really intuitive, when compared to the usual system (open notes as if looking at the nut of a right-handed instrument held vertically, headstock up); however, it's the same order as that of diameters on a string set packet, if you think about it.

 

[Paragon3]

^ This. The tradition, here, is to list open string pitches in a tuning from treble to bass. Not really intuitive, when compared to the usual system (open notes as if looking at the nut of a right-handed instrument held vertically, headstock up); however, it's the same order as that of diameters on a string set packet, if you think about it.

great! the only reason I don't have them is the fact I thought they were fifths tuning.. idiotic that the were so misleading. thanks for clearing that up.

seemed weird to me but whatever.