I have a tuning question and am looking for advice. I have a 5 string bass tuned B-E-A-D-G (from low to high).The guitarists that I am playing with now are tuned down to C sharp. For me this would mean tuning up as opposed to down. I've tried tuning up to C sharp and there's so much tension on the strings it makes playing kind of difficult. Does any one have any adive on what I should do? Should I leave the B alone and drop the other four strings and just move everything up two frets that I play on the B?
Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

You could drop the B to G and tune the other four strings, but if you want less tension on the B string, then you're going to haveto buy new strings.

the thinner the string, the less tension, so buy the thinnest guage pack you can find for a 5 string bass.

Also, a 34" bass would work better for this, but I'm betting you have a 35 scale?

If you have two basses and one is a 34, use the 34 for this. a 34" in combination with thinner strings will give you less tension.

You could also buy a thicker 6 string pack and use the thinner 5 strings, theoretically.

G# C# F# B E

They tune DOWN a whole step plus a half step, so 3 half steps. That means that you would be, I believe:

G# - C# - F# - B - E


going UP would be weird. You will have a high sound while they have a muddy deep sound, and in the end that will sound awkward and limit the effect of what you're playing.

the_taste_of_cigarettes said:

No it wouldnt sound weird, not if you play the "B" string like you normally would the "E" string. If you're a 5 string bassist, conventionally tuned, playing with guys with 6 string guitars it's not always possible to use the low B that much. If you tune the lowest string up to C or C# you just play it a hell of a lot more and it sounds heavier than tuning down the second-to-lowest string, even though you're technically tuning up the whole bass.

Anthny said:

PFFF


I think *I* know more about bass than *YOU*

I love my 5 string. I like playing 4 string too (MUCH easier for slap), but I don't know if I could ever have a main bass that's not a 5 or even a 6. When a riff allows you to play that low B live it just shakes the room; it's a great feeling.

Anthny said:

WTF??!?!

hahaha that was hilarious!

just get a set up down in the new tuning and you'll be all set

I have a 4 string tuned C# G# C# F#

Thanks for all the advice. I don't know why it never crossed my mind to tune G# C#F# B E. I tried it last night, it's much easier to play now. Thanks again!