Tuning up a half step on one string, is this ok for the neck?

[shoulderpet]

Hi
I have a short scale bass that I am planning to string as a tenor bass with ADGC tuning however in my search for appropriate strings I came up with very, very few options.

I have purchased a set of inexpensive strings (Gear4music brand) for a bass vi with the intention of discarding the lowest and highest string however I know that the bass vi is strung EADGBE which would mean I would have to tune the highest string a half step up, I know it's likely only a few more pounds tension but most bass strings are not exactly balanced tension, just wondering if this will be ok on my basses neck, I don't want to end up with a twisted neck, thanks

 

[Roland GR 88]

There will be no issues apart from a potential turn of the truss rod to balance things after stringing up.

 

[Reedt2000]

Yeah, shouldn't make a difference other than maybe a neck tweak (but maybe not, have to string it, tune it, and see how it reacts).

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I’m thinking the bass will handle it with no problem, but the string might not do as well. Seems some strings are a little easier to break than others….

 

[darkwasthenight]

I used a VI set for both ADGC and piccolo BEAD for a long time and had no issues. A semitone will not put undue stress on either the string or the neck as long as you adjust the truss rod to account for it.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The neck would (wood) be fine but the string may be less than happy.

 

[vvvmmm]

Should be fine, but I'd wear goggles the first time ya tune it.

 

[logdrum]

I tuned all the way to 3semitones (GCFBb) on my short scale using the light GHS Precision Flats strings yes the E-G . No issues, Just a quarter turn or so on the truss. Why G? More pop to the sound. I also have a hybrid Charlie Hunter type guitar which came to me with the bass string turn up that way so used to that. I do not have issues transposing because I am also a baritone sax player - on the fly transposing is second nature to me

 

[Reedt2000]

Bass VI is 30" scale, so if your bass is too, there shouldn't be concerns about the string breaking.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Hi
I have a short scale bass that I am planning to string as a tenor bass with ADGC tuning however in my search for appropriate strings I came up with very, very few options.

I have purchased a set of inexpensive strings (Gear4music brand) for a bass vi with the intention of discarding the lowest and highest string however I know that the bass vi is strung EADGBE which would mean I would have to tune the highest string a half step up, I know it's likely only a few more pounds tension but most bass strings are not exactly balanced tension, just wondering if this will be ok on my basses neck, I don't want to end up with a twisted neck, thanks

I would probably keep the instrument always tuned as ADGB if you're not actively using the instrument at the moment. Otherwise, I'd spend the extra dollar or two (?) to simply get a proper single C string and would feel better about leaving an instrument in a ADGC tuning with the proper string. That's how I'd handle it if it were me. But you do you.

 

[devnulljp]

If you couldn't tune up a semitone, so-one would be able to bend notes without damaging the neck
I think you'll be fine
I regularly flip my 6 between BEADGB and BEADGC

 

[ole Jason]

It will be fine. Assuming those strings use the same gauges as D'addario the C will be a .34 which will be fine at 30". I use a .35 on my 32" scale bass for the C.

 

[gln1955]

A half step is nothing for either the bass or the string.

 

[Dust2Dust]

This is probably my fault but, I stripped the gear in the tuner on my 5 string when I tried to tune E - C

I bought a pack of Roto66 for a six string and just used the E - C strings. The tension was too much I guess (High C instead of G) . .

This was on a Squier CV 70s Jazz V

I was able to buy a new tuner and fix my bass, bit I won't be trying that "High C" thing anymore. Just saying. YMMV