Kay M5 B

Kay five-string basses were originally designed and set up for the high-C configuration, and C strings are available from the major manufacturers. So you can just change up the strings, and while the setup will be a bit loose, it'll work fine for what you have in mind, I expect.

 

Slightly off topic, but a related question: why would you want the high C for bluegrass? You'll end up playing many of the same notes as the guitar player? I've played bluegrass bass for almost 35 years, and have never understood the decision to add a C to the top. Then again, I love the low end, and relish any opportunity to play an open A or E. Different strokes, I guess. Good luck with the new instrument.

 

Keep the B for arco fun. Just don't use it where it's not appropriate or useful.

 

You would need a new nut and bridge to make the change. Frankly the low B has much more utility than the C. I agree you don't get much use of it in Bluegrass but then again you don't see many 5-strings in Bluegrass. Being tuned in fourths you are unlikely to find either lower or higher fifth string very useful if you want to try fiddle tunes. The response time of the bass strings and the instrument in general does not suit itself playing the melody of fiddle tunes. The closest you are likely to come is to have a solo instrument or one set up in fifths.

 

Well, I want to tread gently here, but there are actually people out there who can and do bow fiddle tunes on the bass. Ever hear of Edgar Meyer, Donovan Stokes? They do it pretty well, imo. You do need to re-cut the notches in the bridge and nut to do this properly, but don't let anyone tell you that you can't bow bluegrass melodies on a bass. That's just mean!

 

OK. I understand.

 

Having owned and played basses tuned BEADG and EADGC it's my opinion that the B string is less "in the way" than a C string.

And I don't see why you'd need a new nut and bridge if you elect to restring. The string diameters aren't THAT different. If they rattle in the slots, you can get by filling them with superglue and sawdust (or graphite powder) and re-slotting.

 

A $6 chainsaw file or a rolled over popsicle stick with a 50 cent piece of sandpaper to adjust the bridge slots is all you need to spend, but how you use them may be a different conversation....

Many of the '40s era five strings have a nice fully carved scroll instead of the glued on models, does yours?

 

Superglue and sawdust??????? Oh noooooooooooooo, the day before the election and I've been hacked and somehow transported to the Chinese telecaster forum....................

 

Who are you, and what have you done with James???

 

Nǐ hǎo tóngzhì James! If done well, the CA trick will work. Otherwise a hard epoxy; and if you mix that with graphite you get ... carbon fibre. Of course, new looks better.

 

Sowwy. I've been into the whiskey a bit lately and my inner hick slipped out for a minute.