real BASSic

[Dave da Dude]

I know this is dumb, but I don't know.

 

I'm ASSUMing that a 4-string bass is (from low to high) E, A, D, G. Correct?

 

I've seen a few comments that a 5-string base adds "low B", so it's (low to high), B, E, A, D, G. Correct?

 

What gets added to make a 6-string? Is it a HIGH B?

 

Can a 6-string bass be tuned (low to hight), E, A, D, G, B, E, just like a 6-string guitar only a couple (or so) octave lower?

 

Dave

[Cowbell]

On a 6 string, the next string up is a C string. I haven't exactly figured out yet why it isn't a high B, but then again I've never tried to figure it out. You can also change the nut and make it so that it's a 5 string with a high C instead of a low B.

[Mr. Phil]

You dont really have to change the nut to make it E-A-D-G-C...but you could.

 

And the on a 6 String, its tuned to a C because on a guitar the B helps to make chords easier (i think) and with the C string on the bass isnt really meant for chords ( ? ) Thats why I dont like 6+ string basses. 5 is my limit.

[surfmonkey]

Originally posted by CowbellAllen:

On a 6 string, the next string up is a C string. I haven't exactly figured out yet why it isn't a high B, but then again I've never tried to figure it out.

To keep the continuity of tuning in 4ths.

[_Sweet Willie_]

However, I know some players who double on guitar and bass who tune the high 6th string as a B, like a guitar.

 

I also know a 7 string player who tunes B-E-A-D-G-B-E. (He also plays a mean guitar.)

[Dave da Dude]

surfmonkey,

To keep the continuity of tuning in 4ths.

I was composing this as Sweet Willie posted this,

However, I know some players who double on guitar and bass who tune the high 6th string as a B, like a guitar.

So I guess you CAN tune the highest of 5-strings to B and get away with it? That way this ole' folk guy could finger a chord if I wanted to, even if only to make playing the notes that much easier that "hunt and peck".

 

Dave

[jeremy c]

Dave, you can tune a bass anyway you want!

 

But you can't tuna fish.

 

For awhile I tried B E A D F# B on my 6 string...then it's exactly like a guitar except an octave and a fourth lower. But I couldn't reach guitar chords on the wide neck. I went back to the B E A D G C tuning. In that tuning everything I know on bass is moveable across the strings, up and down the neck and so forth.

 

The main rule is that there are no rules.

[tnb]

B E A D F# B ? Damn. That seems like it would be more work, not less.

 

I have often wondered about the lack of symmetry on guitar. Didn't seem logical, inspite of the thousands of great guitarists.

 

There is a monster guitarist here in Providence who plays 7 string guitar tuned B E A D G C F. He said it took a few months to get used to, but he will never go back to standard tuning. The way this guy plays, we may be seeing a lot of guitarists making the tuning switch.

[surfmonkey]

Originally posted by jeremyc:

But you can't tuna fish.

ba-da crash.

[Rik]

The 6th string is tuned to C because bass players primarily play patterns, not chords. Maintaining the 4th interval across ll strings enables the bassist to play patterns anywhere on the neck. Tuning that string to C would force the bassist to change his patterns every time he used that string.

[Mr. Phil]

Originally posted by Rik:

Tuning that string to C would force the bassist to change his patterns every time he used that string.

You mean B?

[Dave da Dude]

I imagine so.

[Cowbell]

Originally posted by phil6006:

You dont really have to change the nut to make it E-A-D-G-C...but you could.

 

And the on a 6 String, its tuned to a C because on a guitar the B helps to make chords easier (i think) and with the C string on the bass isnt really meant for chords ( ? ) Thats why I dont like 6+ string basses. 5 is my limit.

Oops, I was thinking of putting a B string in the E slot...nevermind.