true 6 string bass?

The Bass VI: Baritone Guitar or Bass?

 

Kiesel is making 30" scale 6-strings which could easily be tuned this way.
Probably as close as you'll get to a "production" instrument.

 

I imagine a BEADGC bass could be converted to an EADGBE bass with a different nut. Shouldn’t be a Big Deal at all.

I’ve also wondered if such a bass could be made with interchangeable nuts secured in place by strong magnets to accommodate changing the stringing. Probably doable, but I don’t know how much fine-tuning could be done with such a system.

I personally would have no need for such a bass. If I ever get a 6-string, it will be BEADGC. But my mind wonders (wanders?) about such things at times...

 

I thought I saw a true 6-string bass one time, but it was a 3-string bass sitting next to a mirror.

Robbed again.

 

And here I am, thinking that a BEADGC bass actually IS a true 6 string.

 

A different nut is not required, just different strings.

I have a 5 I switch back and forth between BEADG and EADGC with the stock nut.

You do have to be careful to wind the thickest two strings to the bottom of the post to get good downpressure on the slots, but other than that there's no issue.

The same thing can be done just as easily on a 6.

 

Cool, I was afraid that a nut for a B string would be too wide for an E string to settle in properly. This is good to know.

Does the change necessitate a truss rod tweak?

 

EADGBE has a much higher pressure on the truss rods than BEADGC, so most likely yes.

 

Ive never seen a production model of anything like what the OP is enquiring. Not saying it can’t be, but I’m also wondering who would or does make a dedicated string set for it?

Making Barr chords on an electric bass 6?

Errr

 

Buy any 6-string bass you like, put any strings on it you like.


http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

 

Nothing stop you from buying a normal 6 strings bass and strung it EADGBE like a guitar ... with two higher strings than a standart bass ... or you could try a 8 strings bass set and instead of F# you tune it E ... your B strings become A etc ...
It would be low but at the same time... sounds interesting

 

I have 6 string basses tuned both ways and they are both true.
Not looking to fight or challenge here, given the additional explanation offered by the OP, but I wouldn’t define “true”, but “a 6 string bass tuned EADGCF or (which I totally would‘t recommend) EADGBE, which perpetuates the guitar’s insane tuning humanity has had to cope for many generations.

 

for what it's worth, the Fender Bass VI is a true EADGBE strung bass.. the originals were, and the reissues are, as well.

 

Buy whatever you think a "true" six string bass is, get some kind of tuner, and a new set of strings and tune it to whatever you want and rest assured that you are more faithful to the platonic ideal of what a six string bass should be in your head than I am.

 

Why? What is the point if you don't have a low B? The low B is true bass. Are you planning to play guitar chords on it? Guitar style lead solos?

 

Depends entirely on the string gauges you use.
If you keep the total pounds of tension the same the neck won't move.

Debating each other's conceptual validity, ie 'trueness', is best left for jr high lunchroom conversations.

 

I can say that I've never seen that question ever asked here before in that fashion.

 

Damn what the hell have I been playing the last 10 years then?!