I was just curious if there were any six string players that tuned their basses to E A D G B E instead of B E A D G C.
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Question for 6-string players
- Thread starter dmonroe
- Start date
Few tune to BEADGB, far more tune standard - BEADGC.
I tune to BEADGC, although I've experimented with weird tunings, including BCGDAC.
I tune to BEADGC, although I've experimented with weird tunings, including BCGDAC.
If you're making your lowest string an E on a 6 string, that makes the most sense to me, since each string is tuned in perfect fourths.
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Guitars tune to EADGBe to have a major third between the G and B strings, then the high e is a perfect fourth from the B. Silly guitards.
I can see why one would want to tune their 6 string to match the guitar players, though.
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Standard 6 string bass tuning is most commonly accepted as BEADGC, again following the pattern of perfect fourths.
I stick to four strings, though.
I don't really see a point. The guitar is tuned that way for a specific reason, to play open string chords as well as barre (sp?) chords. Just as a cello is tuned in fifths, single bowed notes. Two octaves sit comfortably under one hand with minimal shifting. The bass is tuned in fourths for the same reason. Single bowed notes, fit well under one hand in most scales and modes with minimal shifting which keeps your hand shape together which in turn keeps your intonation together. Bass guitar was tuned the same as the double bass so players could literally pick it up and play with little adjustment. Bass guitar happens to be less physically demanding and fretted (most of the time) which gives us much easier access to chordal playing, while still retaining a full octave under one hand and one position. Best of both worlds.
I normally tune to standard, although I have an upcoming fretless 7 that will be tuned BEADGBE. Why?! Cuz I sez so.
If you want to tune a 6er that way, just go for it. If you ask about thinking outside the box, all you'll hear are reasons not to. At worst, you're out some strings and a setup.
If you want to tune a 6er that way, just go for it. If you ask about thinking outside the box, all you'll hear are reasons not to. At worst, you're out some strings and a setup.
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
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- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
99% of the time mine is in standard 6 string bass tuning, but I did put on the top strings of a 7 string set and tune E-E like a guitar for about half a year when I was experimenting. It was cool, but I went back to BEADGC after that set of strings.
the only concern i would have is string tension on your bass's neck. I doubt you will find a pre-packaged set of 6 bass strings that are super light guage. Using the average 6 string set that is made for the lowest string to be a low B means that each string is going to be an entire fourth high than it's meant to be. This will cause your bass neck to bow like mad. This may be fixable by truss rod adjustment.
If I were trying this, I would start with a set of strings that have a low string that is around .105. That is what I usually like my E string to be, you may prefer heavier or lighter.
If I were trying this, I would start with a set of strings that have a low string that is around .105. That is what I usually like my E string to be, you may prefer heavier or lighter.
This issue is easily solved by purchasing single strings. Sites like D'Addario have tension guides so you can select strings of the appropriate gauges for each tuning.
