I want to change my six string over to EADGBE. Help!

[gazgoldstar]

Hello folks,

I have recently bought an Ibanez SR506 as a bass to experiment further with my midi stuff. I use a Roland GR55 and as everyone knows, bass to midi lag can really affect your playing. My idea is to string my six string with regular guitar tuning i.e..EADGBE as opposed to BEADGC. This is for two purposes 1. for familiarity with chord shapes (I play a bit of guitar too) and 2. To have higher strings for faster midi translation.

My questions are thus:

1. Does anyone know where I can buy a set of strings that will allow me to do this? I am surprised that so few bassists want to do this with a six string (Fender bass VI excepted).

2. What gauge string is needed for the high E? Will a .32 tune up high enough?


3. What are the pitfalls? Is the lack of tension going to play havoc with the neck of my admittedly cheap bass? I will probably need a new nut cut specially I guess.

Thanks in advance!

Gaz

[DarkHeart]

try getting an 8 string set and use what you need from that or possibly got to somewhere like strings direct and buy individual strings, they do an 8 string Roto set in 20-105 so i should think that would do you. Hope that helps. Jeff

[gazgoldstar]

8 String set! Great idea thanks Jeff, didn't think about that!

[Myke]

Ibanez SR500s are good basses

[Matt P]

I'd try Newtone strings, they should be able to advise and make you a custom set that will be balanced in tension and will have the correct lengths

http://www.newtonestrings.com/

i haven't tried their bass strings yet but i swear by their balanced tension acoustic guitar strings.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Or go EADGCF? tuned in 4ths. Unless you particularly want access to guitar chord shapes- assuming you can stretch to them on the longer scale length. I've never tried.

[basshead56]

I used a six string set on my Thunderbird Studio V. Just didn't use the low B and moved everything down one. Bit of tinkering with the bridge and she was away.

[geoffbyrne]

I see where you're coming from with the EADGBE, but as someone who plays both bass & guitar, I think I'd find the span at the bottom frets very difficult for chording.

I'm seriously considering getting a shorter-scale Squier Bass VI for things like this.

G.

[tauzero]

[quote name='gazgoldstar' timestamp='1376235628' post='2171120']
8 String set! Great idea thanks Jeff, didn't think about that!
[/quote]

You might find a 7-string set easier to find - Overwater do them for a very reasonable price (and might even do you a 6-string set from E up).

[Prime_BASS]

Use a guitar.

Done. Thank me later.

[Guest MoJo]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1376739535' post='2178531']
Use a guitar with an octave pedal

Done. Thank me later.
[/quote]

Edited for correction

[Delberthot]

Would the tension not be higher on this as I'm guessing the high E string would be higher tension than a low B and the others more or less the same?

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1376739535' post='2178531']
Use a guitar with the midi pickup and stick it in whatever octave you want

Done. Thank me later.
[/quote]
[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1376740028' post='2178535']
Edited for correction
[/quote]

[Antonio Marrone]

Hi,

i play 6 string bass EADGCF.

It's almost 5-6 years i swicthed on it and i'm really fine... I found my way of playing my music.. By my opinion it's a good choose for playing chords and also to get symmetrical fretboard (ALL FORTHS TUNING)
I recently made this video...
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rimMs6L-EFI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rimMs6L-EFI[/url]

for more information and material, you can visit my website: [url="http://www.antoniomarrone.com"]http://www.antoniomarrone.com[/url]

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

I heard a few people say, take it to guitar tech who will change nut and adjust truss rod.