What gauge for open C Major tuning on a 5 String

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi folks,
maybe you guys can help me. I´m planning to get a 5 string bass (35"). I´m tuned to CGCGCE on the guitar, my current P/J bass with 34 inch scale length has
Daddario EXL160BT Balanced Tension (50 - 67 - 90 - 120).
A .105 was too flubby, so I widened the nut , went for the .120 and that was it for the last 3 years.

Now I´m looking for a bass that gets my tone to the next level, as I did with my guitar.
My goal would be to tune the bass like the guitar (without the high string), CGCGC. With a typical 5 string set of .045 - .130 that would leave me with a total string tension of 284 lbs. Q: would that bend the hell out of the neck or is that resonable?
Or should the tuning be GCGCG, so with lowest guitar string moved to the second bass string? that would bring the total tension down quite a lot, but the low G would real flubby with a tension of 25lbs.

I would be glad about any kind of helpful input, may be you guys already noticed that I´m a guitarist who needs the bass for recording purposes, but who actually has just started learning about that big guitar with the missing strings.....

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Tuning a 45 to C or a 65 to G means it's a 4th higher than usual. And an inch longer. My fingers are in tears at the thought.

Here are what Bass Boomers would be at 34"

35 for the C — 46 lbs
45 for the G — 45 lbs
70 for the C — 45 lbs
90 for the G — 45 lbs approx, if they made a 90
130 for the C — 41 lbs

Which would be kinda medium (similar to EADG 45-105) before you added the extra inch.

 

[And I]

you say your goal is to tune the bass like the guitar but... why? can you play these basslines with a 5er tuned BEADG or a 4 string tuned BEAD?

 

[Marco Schwarz]

Hey Ricky, thanks for the input. what kiond of set is that exactly? tbh I haven´t seen that one on Thomanns website.

 

[michael_t]

My goal would be to tune the bass like the guitar (without the high string), CGCGC. With a typical 5 string set of .045 - .130 that would leave me with a total string tension of 284 lbs. Q: would that bend the hell out of the neck or is that resonable?

Using the Stringjoy Tension Calculator, which is based on their nickel-plated steel roundwound, here's how the tensions on 45-65-80-100-130 would work out for CGCGC on a 35" scale... (NOT recommended)

Here's just an idea for a set of gauges that could work for what you're trying to do...

 

[michael_t]

Here are what Bass Boomers would be at 34"

35 for the C — 46 lbs
45 for the G — 45 lbs
70 for the C — 45 lbs
90 for the G — 45 lbs approx, if they made a 90
130 for the C — 41 lbs

You beat me to it!

 

[knumbskull]

Yes, vary the gauges. D’Addario also have a tension chart that is helpful if you like their strings.

rule of thumb for me, adjust up or down .10 per full step. Not perfect by any means but will help.

i would just tune the bass to “normal” CFBbEb as there is no tonal advantage to using open tunings on bass, but that’s me

 

[Marco Schwarz]

I've been Hacking all sorts of available sets into the calculator the last couple of days... i havent´t found that set 35-130 though. Which one is that?

 

[Ricky Rioli]

you say your goal is to tune the bass like the guitar but... why? can you play these basslines with a 5er tuned BEADG or a 4 string tuned BEAD?

But he's already the music on a C major tuned guitar. In what way is it a benefit to teach fingers to play the same music in different patterns?

 

[Marco Schwarz]

one more stupid bass newbie question, what is the recommended string tension betweeen 35 and 45lbs per string?

 

[Marco Schwarz]

But he's already the music on a C major tuned guitar. In what way is it a benefit to teach fingers to play the same music in different patterns?

If that solves the problems I would be fine doing that, but you´re exactly right, I would prefer to have the same tuning as on my guitar

 

[michael_t]

I've been Hacking all sorts of available sets into the calculator the last couple of days... i havent´t found that set 35-130 though. Which one is that?

You won't find a factory set with those specific gauges anywhere.

Seeing you're based in Germany, I would suggest you check into Pyramid, who offers full customization options. You can put together your own custom set through them.

 

[Marco Schwarz]

You won't find a factory set with those specific gauges anywhere.

Seeing you're based in Germany, I would suggest you check into Pyramid, who offers full customization options. You can put together your own custom set through them.

Ah OK, I see... Thanks everybody I´ll look for a suitable 4 string set and add an extra string then I guess....
Once more, what would you recommend as for a single string tension? I don´t want to be too flubby, but don´t want to stress my bass and my fingers either...

 

[michael_t]

Once more, what would you recommend as for a single string tension? I don´t want to be too flubby, but don´t want to stress my bass and my fingers either...

Between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. should work. 40 lbs. for "light", 45 lbs. for "medium" and 50 lbs. for "heavy".

 

[Marco Schwarz]

Between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. should work. 40 lbs. for "light", 45 lbs. for "medium" and 50 lbs. for "heavy".

Great thanks man!!
BTW: "A mix is something I would rather sit in than cut through." is what I call wisdom

 

[And I]

If that solves the problems I would be fine doing that, but you´re exactly right, I would prefer to have the same tuning as on my guitar

i suppose i was thinking about it as if you were playing bass on these songs in a live setting with other folks on other instruments. i do see the appeal of simplicity of playing the songs the same way on the different instruments you'll be playing.

 

[Marco Schwarz]

i suppose i was thinking about it as if you were playing bass on these songs in a live setting with other folks on other instruments. i do see the appeal of simplicity of playing the songs the same way on the different instruments you'll be playing.

just homerecording

 

[J Posega]

Hi folks,
maybe you guys can help me. I´m planning to get a 5 string bass (35"). I´m tuned to CGCGCE on the guitar, my current P/J bass with 34 inch scale length has
Daddario EXL160BT Balanced Tension (50 - 67 - 90 - 120).
A .105 was too flubby, so I widened the nut , went for the .120 and that was it for the last 3 years.

Now I´m looking for a bass that gets my tone to the next level, as I did with my guitar.
My goal would be to tune the bass like the guitar (without the high string), CGCGC. With a typical 5 string set of .045 - .130 that would leave me with a total string tension of 284 lbs. Q: would that bend the hell out of the neck or is that resonable?
Or should the tuning be GCGCG, so with lowest guitar string moved to the second bass string? that would bring the total tension down quite a lot, but the low G would real flubby with a tension of 25lbs.

I would be glad about any kind of helpful input, may be you guys already noticed that I´m a guitarist who needs the bass for recording purposes, but who actually has just started learning about that big guitar with the missing strings.....

I think your .120 is probably perfect for C.

I was just about to suggest using D'addario's Tension Calculator, but I see that they're updating it.

StringJoy also has a tension calculator, found here. They don't have all of the same gauges as D'addario, but you can play around with the sizes StringJoy offers and sort of figure out if any of D'addario's in-between sizes might be better for you.

For CGCGC, 125 85 65 40 25 offers what some call "progressive" tension, where you have the most tension in the low strings, slowly descending in tension as you go to the higher strings. I tend to like this a little more than typical balanced tension because it makes high string bends easier.

I like to keep my low string at around 40 lbs and work from there

 

[Chrisk-K]

For CGCGC, a prime number set should work the best: 113, 83, 61, 41, 29.

 

[Marco Schwarz]

I think your .120 is probably perfect for C.

I was just about to suggest using D'addario's Tension Calculator, but I see that they're updating it.

StringJoy also has a tension calculator, found here. They don't have all of the same gauges as D'addario, but you can play around with the sizes StringJoy offers and sort of figure out if any of D'addario's in-between sizes might be better for you.

For CGCGC, 125 85 65 40 25 offers what some call "progressive" tension, where you have the most tension in the low strings, slowly descending in tension as you go to the higher strings. I tend to like this a little more than typical balanced tension because it makes high string bends easier.

I like to keep my low string at around 40 lbs and work from there

stringjoy is where I had been looking the last days ithink I´ll stick to the
Daddario EXL160BT Balanced Tension that I´ve been using for my 4 string and add an extra string on top, or look for a 4 string set with a 0.130