E above middle C string

[Al Krow]

Guys,

I'm trying to source an E above 'middle C' string i.e. two octaves above the low E on the bass and the next string up from the top C string on a six string bass guitar.

Plan is to have a E, A, D, G, B (detuned from C) and top E set up. You'll no doubt recognise that as being the normal 6 string electric or classical set up, but with everything an octave lower on the bass.

Any suggestions where I can get just the top E string from?

If not widely available, can I just make use of a 'normal six string' guitar D string and tune up a tone, or alternatively the G string on an acoustic six string guitar and detune by 3 semi tones?

Cheers, AK

[fretmeister]

Maybe D'addario - they do a piccolo bass set. Perhaps they will sell them individually.

Good strings too - I had them on my Hyperbass.

[Dood]

D'addario certainly do! There's a wound 25 or you could go for either a plain 20 or a plain 18. I'd have to check abasing D'Addario's tension guide to choose the correct string for the job, or maybe @daddariouk will be along shortly to advise for your scale length!

[Dood]

Had you been doing this on a guitar then I would have just pointed you to these: http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/bass-guitar-c34/daddario-exl156-nickel-fender-bass-vi-strings-24-84-p699 

[Dood]

Oh, here's the string tension app for selecting and balancing the gauges of your strings: http://stringtensionpro.com

[Al Krow]

Cheers both - and Dood the reaction is for all three of your posts, thanks buddy!

[D'Addario UK]

Hi man. Good advice from dood here (as per usual).
It totally depends on the scale length of your instrument.
Most of our strings are available separately and most dealers will order them in for you at request.

[Guest ixlramp]

This top E is the F of a 7 string set detuned a semitone. There are several sources for high F strings, they are usually .022 or .020 wound, or .020 or .018 plain steel. At this gauge a wound is a little fragile due to having a thin core, so if you want to bend like crazy then choose a plain steel.

The cheapest way is to use a guitar string and thread a detached bass ferrule onto it to convert it into a bass string. I find D'Addario guitar strings (wound and plain steel) just long enough to reach the tuner post nearest the nut (assuming you have a 3+3 headstock). However a wound guitar string is made for lower tension so a wound .022 or .020 may not have a core strong enough to withstand E. But if you are going to use a plain steel this is an ideal solution (the plain steel strings are a little longer than the wounds too).

Edited August 13, 2018 by ixlramp