Tuning 6 string bass to EBGDAE

[Pollyfoot]

Hi I am Pollyfoot the new boy who has played classical guitar at hobby level but I have always loved the bass sound and have been told that it is possible to tune a 6 string bass to guitar setting by buying a string set for a 7 string bass and discarding a string.
I can hear you groaning already but which string should I discard and is this really possible. It does mean I could play a lot of my music although it will be at an octave lower.
If you could help I shall be forever in your debt

 

[OOZMAN]

Yes, you would discard the biggest string. Also you mean EADGBE tuning.

 

[Pollyfoot]

Thanks for that and at some speed. Regards pollyfoot

 

[atheos]

You should definitely take a look at the Bass VI. It's basically a short scale 6-string bass tuned like a guitar, only an octave lower. Could be just the thing you want. Could be not. I know I have a GAS for one. Or two.

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[Jim Nazium]

There are instruments that are designed for that tuning. They're usually called baritone guitars, and they usually have a shorter scale and narrower string spacing than the instrument we call a 6-string bass. The Bass VI mentioned above is one, there's also Danelectro and some others. As a guitarist you might find these more comfortable. Just something you might want to look into.

 

[Jensby design]

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You should find what you're looking for on one of those pages.No need to discard a string. Pay for the quality not a string you're not going to use.

 

[BenWhoPlaysBass]

IMHO playing any kind of chord work on a standard 6-er would be tedious. Fretboards are reeeaallly wide compared to even a classical guitar neck... I dunno. Maybe I've got small hands. +1 to atheos, bass VI is a good option for that kinda stuff I'd say.

 

[TapyTap]

In this video, Abraham Laboriel is playing his bass precisely as you have mentioned: EADGBE