Tuning a 5-string up?

[exalted]

I found a bass I really like, or...WOULD like, but it's 5-string.

But I play left-handed, so finding anything half decent, much less something I like...and that's being sold on a clearance rack for half of what online retailers are charging....and...you get the idea. This bass is hard to pass up.

Can I safely tune the bass up from BEADG to something more like EADGC/EADGB? Will that damage the neck?

The bass is a Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 Fretless, should that matter.

 

[meev992]

Can I safely tune the bass up from BEADG to something more like EADGC/EADGB? Will that damage the neck?

You should be all right, 5ers are pretty sturdy. If you're timid, try lighter gauge strings at first. But go for it.

you also might want to change the nut.

 

[HaVIC5]

Oof, tuning regular 5-string strings up to EADGC? You're a braver man than I. Just get a set of 6 string strings and throw away the B to get a set of proper EADGC strings.

 

[meev992]

Oof, tuning regular 5-string strings up to EADGC? You're a braver man than I. Just get a set of 6 string strings and throw away the B to get a set of proper EADGC strings.

I mis read.

damn, the OP is a brave man indeed, lol.

 

[TeeMartin]

Tuning up a fourth = bad idea

Get a 6 string set and throw away the B

 

[Jonsbasses]

Buy a 6-string set as mentioned, never tune up a set more than a whole step from what it's intended for. And don't throw away the B-string, send it to me.

 

[lhoward]

Tuning up a fourth = bad idea

Get a 6 string set and throw away the B

+1

Strings are designed to be tuned to certain notes/tensions. Tuning up a forth, beside over tensioning the strings, will probably cause problems with the neck over time, not to mention that the strings will probably not sound good and eventually will break. Being 'thrifty' is one thing, this is not it. Take TeeMartin's advice. Later you'll realize it was the best solution.

L. Howard

PS: Oh yes, don't forget that Jonsbasses needs that B-string.

 

[genocide roach]

they make 5 strings sets for E-C tuning. but you will have to order them online, since most stores dont carry them (or anything outside the norm)
~gR~

 

[BrodieMan13]

That's funny, exalted. I'm eyeballin' a Stiletto Studio myself. I think I'm gonna switch out the EMG-HZ's for some EMG-35DC's though. For that awesome Claypool sound.

To the question: Sorry to bring this thread up again (I felt it would be less of a forum clutterer if I just bumped this one.), but, ok, so we've established that tuning a BEADG set of 5ers to EADGC would be detrimental to the bass, but it is unclear to me whether or not tuning a BEADG 5-string BASS to EADGC with EADGC strings would hurt the guitar?
Woo Hoo run-on sentences.

 

[Gone]

Tuning EADGC with the correct strings should be fine. The truss rod may need a tweek and your may need a new nut. Take it to a technician if you are not comfortable with making these changes yourself.

 

[BrodieMan13]

Ah-ha.
Thanks, Gone.