5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEADG?

[Adieu]

5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEADG?

Anyone ever try mixing and matching tunings on basses, ESPECIALLY 5 OR MORE string basses [emphasis added for the people doing the oh you just wanna thump low notes you headbanger you derision]? Btw, are bass saddles bass tuners and bass neck "sides" (if you know what I'm trying to say) created equal/symmetrical like, or can you warp your neck or mess up hardware by putting heavy strings on the light string side, etc?

And yeah I realize the nut problem, just wondering about the rest, like if a 5th string tuning key and a 1st string tuning key are generally created equal? PS I'm thinking of Gotoh-type bass tuners here. Usually the proper, MIJ kind.


OR, alternatively - where can I get myself a bass-sized/bass-strength capo???

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Just out of curiosity - why ?

The first thing I could think of was that the attack would be different across the strings and you'd have to keep that in mind as you play.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

If you are going to try these mixed tunings long term, it would be wise to change string gauge to preserve the correct string tension. Neck stability will depend on the build quality and the degree of abuse to which the neck is subjected.

A capo for bass guitar is possible but I see no need of such a thing. Settle on a tuning and play in the appropriate fret positions.

The basic Gotoh bass machine heads are identical except for the string hole sizes.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

I've done weird tunings while recording because I wanted that open string sound of a note that would normally be fretted. I've used my Kyser capo on my bass before, but I wasn't barring the entire neck with it, I don't believe.

 

[Adieu]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Oh obviously change string sizes, duh to clarify, I meant CF as in tuned down 4 steps off 4string E standard + EAD as in the usual strings 4-3-2 (or even EADG if a 6 string bass). So this stuff ain't in funky octaves (though I luv that too, AEaeA anyone???), it's just mixing the fat strings off two different basses in one guitar.

Why? To play multiple styles or bands on one giggable but not-too-valuable bass. Go from metal to poprock/punk/80s/whatever with a turn of a volume knob, WITHOUT swapping two sets of strings (E standard and something like C or drop Bb just don't get along and share the same set o strings on a four string, unfortunately). Something I wouldn't baby, something I wouldn't worry over banging up, something I wouldn't freak out if other people sharing rehearsal or stage space walked over and picked up (cuz with the good stuff? SOOO frickin annoying, can't people ASK????)

Oh and also to NOT have to track down 2 sets of the pickups I like and keep em on different basses. those things run EXPENSIVE new - and veeeery rare used.

So, hole size IS different on gotohs? What about the slotted open top ones that look absolutely 100% like gotohs from the reverse of the headstock side and also say MIJ? Actually wait - whaaa??? - you threw me off there, since when did Gotoh BASS tuners have holes anyway?! In the slot to flip over and affix into the center? That's unnecessary anyway

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

I think it would be easier and more musical to have a cheap bass dedicated to each tuning. I mean your idea is eliminating the possibility to ever play higher notes in your basslines. If you just want to thump on low notes, tune low and compensate when necessary.

 

[Adieu]

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Re: 5 string bass: mix'd & match'd tunings??? like CF+EAD? or screw it, just capo BEA

Compensate HOW? there's a slight difference between 130 gauge and 100 gauge strings, you can't really tune one's intended note to the other

Capos, ok, maybe, but that has its own issues.

I don't want a cheap bass. Why would I want a cheap bass??? Not afraid to bang it up here means a serious Japanese one like Ibanez Prestige or ESP Standard, at worst maybe one of those strangely never popular crazy-high-MSRP Yamahas that end up used for 15-20% of its old store price or some USA/Japan Kramer... as compared to some $3-4k USA monster that I'd actually be afraid to dent. But this stuff still costs money. And once you drop in a pair of Seymour Duncan actives (for bass, I actually *like* the product this forum is nominally dedicated to, like it very very veeeery much), you're out over 500 bucks just for parts to equip 2 basses, cuz you ain't finding 2 pair of APB's and APJ's used that easy, much less the exact ones you want (there are several numbered varieties of each, sorta like the "phases" I,II, etc. on the Blackouts). And that's without install, just for coughing up 130 or more per pickup to purchase the things...

Well, yeah, ok, with the ESP Standard the pickups might (just *might*) actually be fine the way they are or tradeable for a set of Seymours. With the rest, though, tough luck, and ESPs do run a several hundred dollar premium used over the others. Plus, ever heard of wanting to be able to play the SAME pickup at the very least, possibly the same guitar that you like and feel good with, for different styles of music? Well if you're a bassist, that very often means changing tunings like crazy.

...does that perhaps answer your why question? And, btw, to the guy turning his nose at "losing the high strings and just hammering away chug-chug" or whatever he said, the 6-string option of CF + EADG isn't losing a single note over the four string tuned to E. Why, oh, like DUH, cuz it contains all those four strings, tuned to those four notes exactly. And YES, that totally beats out that useless "high C" crap that a normally-tuned 6-string bass gets. And it's not like anyone even *knows* why it'd be tuned to C, of all things, anyway...