Tuning six string bass BEADF#B (like guitar)

[Les Fret]

I play guitar for 30 years or so and bass for 25 years. I have played maybe seven years of six string bass when I was in my prog rock phase about 20 years ago. But I quit playing six string a long time ago. Never looked back and only played 4 string since.

But now I am thinking about picking up a six string again. But to make it easier on the brain I am considering tuning it BEADF#B. So the same intervals as a guitar but an octave and a fourth lower of course. So I can still play exactly the same shapes as I am used to on guitar my whole life. Because I play the same amount of guitar as bass and switching between them might confuse me when I tune the six string bass in fourths (like I used to do when I was still playing six string bass). I might feel more free on my instrument that way.

What do you think? is it wise or should I stay with the normal fourths tuning?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I tuned my banjo to guitar tuning. I tuned my guitar, for awhile, to open G. As long as you know what fingering is necessary for the notes and or chord - if a tuning makes it easier on you, why not. It is a crutch however..... and all published "how to do stuff" will not apply.

 

[lz4005]

What do you think? is it wise or should I stay with the normal fourths tuning?

Try it. See if it works for you. That's literally the only possible answer.
It all depends on your brain and the songs you're playing.

 

[ClusterFlux]

If that's what you want, I'd look into a "Bass VI" model. It looks like a guitar, and is tuned like a guitar, but is an octave lower.

Squier version is less than $500.
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[Groove Doctor]

It'll make TAB harder....

 

[Les Fret]

If that's what you want, I'd look into a "Bass VI" model. It looks like a guitar, and is tuned like a guitar, but is an octave lower.

Squier version is less than $500.
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That's not what I want at all. I want a real six string bass with low B

 

[Les Fret]

It'll make TAB harder....

I hardly ever use tabs to read music. I only use it sometimes to write down some ideas if I want to do it fast.

 

[IamGroot]

Studio guitar ace Tommy Tedesco tuned all his tenor 4 string instruments (mandolin, bajo, oud, etc) to DGBE, the top 4 strings of the guitar. Back in the day, you got paid for every instrument you played on the session.

I have been thinking of stringing my 6 to guitar tuning so i can play guitar lines. If you still want the low B, consider a 7 string.

I personally wouldnt be happy without that top E string for comping.

 

[Les Fret]

I have been thinking of stringing my 6 to guitar tuning so i can play guitar lines. If you still want the low B, consider a 7 string.
.

Seven strings is too much for me. Never liked 7 string basses. Too over the top. Tuning BEADF#B makes more sense to me since it are the same intervals as on guitar.

 

[IamGroot]

Yep, 7 is too many for me too. thats why I want to string my 6 to EADGBE. I have played guitar for about 60 years, but very little in the last 5.

 

[Watchootognbout]

So you're going to play bass on it.
And play guitar chords?

 

[IamGroot]

Play bass, bebop, and chords above the 7th fret on top 4 strings. Basically anything a guitarist plays becomes fair game.

Had a stage gig with everybody on headphones. Used to screw around on the high end and they would yell at the guitarist.

 

[Les Fret]

So you're going to play bass on it.
And play guitar chords?

Not only chords of course. But also scale shapes, arpeggios and everything you can imagine.

 

[Wulfensteiner]

If that's what you want, I'd look into a "Bass VI" model. It looks like a guitar, and is tuned like a guitar, but is an octave lower.

Squier version is less than $500.
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Abomination..

 

[Wulfensteiner]

That could be interesting dude! I'd be looking to check out your impressions if you actually pull the trigger on it.
I will say this though - I was toying with a 6er tuned EADGCF for far too long, and just couldn't vibe. That personally soured me on 6 anything that isn't B-C, but I'm still intrigued.

 

[Mili]

Yess, try it, play guitar on your Bass!

 

[Aidil]

Been there, done that (with a long scale 6er). Tried also with my 7er (tuned B0-E1-A1-D2-G2-B2-E3).

In the end I concluded that string spacing of a 6er/7er wouldn't allow me to use guitar chords patterns that easy. Then I own a Bass VI which is more suitable for guitar chord patterns using E1-A1-D2-G2-B2-E3 tuning due to tight string spacing like a guitar.

My 6er and 7er are best with their standard tunings B0-E1-A1-D2-G2-C3 and B0-E1-A1-D2-G2-C3-F3.

 

[Les Fret]

I have a GVB36 with 14mm string spacing and I can play most guitar chords. Besides the usual barring chords but I don't like those on guitar either. But all chords should be perfectly possible on 17mm spacing too.

The problem is that most chords don't sound good in the lower register of the six string bass. So playing them above the 12th fret sounds best. You then have to find solutions for how to translate the open strings that you would use on guitar.

The only thing you loose when tuning this way is the symmetry of the all fourths tuning. But if you are playing guitar for a long time you are used to that. What you gain is that you can translate all your scale arpeggio and chord patterns. And have more or other chordal options and harmonics.

Each tuning has it's advantages en disadvantages.

 

[vindibona1]

If that's what you want, I'd look into a "Bass VI" model. It looks like a guitar, and is tuned like a guitar, but is an octave lower.

Squier version is less than $500.
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I think the Squier version is what confused me about sixers. I didn't know anything about them and found the Squiers both interesting an odd. They didn't attract me at all. Once I got more involved with bass I got all that sorted out.

BEADF#B tuning is an interesting concept. And even thought I'm coming from the guitar world, I find it more difficult to wrap my brain around. I think if I wanted that kind of tuning I'd opt for the Squier. That extra 4th down doesn't seem very helpful with the chord sounds. But then again I can see how a guitarist might like the familiarity of the tone spacing of D F# B.

What I'm finding in my new excursion into the land of sixers is that the upper strings are tuned like a cello, and has a constant pattern of intervals across strings which seems more appealing to me personally. But OTOH the human is an adaptable organism and it isn't as big a deal to drop strings 1 and 2 down a minor second to be more guitar-like. A whole lot easier to adjust to in my book than open tuning or DADGAD.

 

[ixlramp]

What do you think? is it wise

Yes, it's easy and completely possible, and easily reversible. If you're inspired to do so then do it. Just detune the top 2 strings a semitone, it's small enough a change that you will not need special gauges. The highest strings in standard sets are too tight anyway.