Azrabella Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Well, after trying a couple of 6'rs I have decided that the fretboard is just a wee bit too wide for my little paws, so I got to thinking... as I really don't think I'd use the low "B" much, but could find use for the top "C", especially in the upper register(s), what if I used a 5 string, ditched the low "B" and dropped the strings down so that the "E" was on the bottom and replaced the top string with a "C". What do I end up with? Is this a viable idea? Please advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Quite a few bassists do this (myself included). Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala, Tony Grey, Steve Swallow, probably a few others too. It's a perfectly valid tuning and very much viable. Great for chordal work and transcribing other instruments, if you like that sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Yeah, in fact Warwick among others do string sets E-C I did a 4 to 5 string conversion on a Rickenfacker years ago and tuned it that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Works nicely on fretless. Barring the C&G strings together with your pinky (fretting hand, naturally) sounds lovely. Also good if you drop a tone in tuning from EADGC to DGCFBb - covers lots of grunge/post grunge etc. drop-tuned songs and still leaves you the upper registers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I'm a user of this tuning, and it's really cool for the things mentioned (extended range, transcriptions of other instruments). On the other hand, if you're playing lots of pop stuff (I do), low B works as a better option, though you can always get an octaver. easy Laimis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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