Alternate Tuning

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Thumb83

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So I have a 5 string thumb bo, and I recently bought a 6 string set of strings, and strung it E-C instead of B-G, the nut works perfectly with the thinner strings, but I was wondering if I will need to take the bass in to get a setup for things like a truss rod adjustment or anything like that. Anyone have experience with something like this?
 
Did this raise your action? If so, then you probably have to make a neck adjustment. I have never tuned that way before. Thats a two step jump so be careful. If you do the adjustments yourself try a 1/4 turn at a time. Let it set awhile in between adjustments.
 
I don't believe the action is any different, although in all honesty I didn't really take a good before/after look. I used the proper strings though, I didn't tune a .45 gauge G string up to C, I bought a proper .25 C string, so it's not like tuning it up. But I guess my main issue here is, it's ok to just see if there's any difference in playability? I'm more so worried about causing damage to my bass due to a tension change, rather than just worrying about temporarily raising the action or setting the intonation off a bit. It's the long term permanent issues that I'm worried about.
 
You don't need to worry. If the action is not different enough for you to notice, the tension is not gonna damage your bass. Stringing a five-string bass with five strings is quite usual, especially if it's E, A, D, G plus low B or high C :)
 
Wolfgang von Holland said:

..... Thats a two step jump so be careful. .......
Click to expand...



False alarm there. Nope, no two-stepper,
just a string change. It's not as if he has
cranked some string set two steps sharp,
which ... if the strings even survived it ...
would definitely pull harder on the neck.

All thaz happnin here is the substitution
of a C-string for a B-string. A C-string is
a higher tension than a B-string, but it's
just the one string. The other four would
have the same tension regardless of the
bass now being "tuned" a fourth higher.

IOW, it's not really TUNED a 4th higher,
but just STRUNG a 4th higher, and thaz
an importantant difference, tension-wise.
It's not really even an "alternate tuning",
since it's still tuned in 4ths. It's simply
a lighter set of strings in normal tuning.

​


 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I thought he had raised the low B string to an E. My bad.
 




I have broken more than one or two
expensive B-strings trying to go just
one whole tone sharp. Ouch !
​

 
I recently put a set of 5 string gauge on my 4 string bass. I tune a whole step down on this particular bass. I was wanting a heavier gauge string and couldn't find any so I went with a set of 130's. So I used the B-D on my 4 string and tuned it to D-F. I had to make several neck adjustments but in the end it worked out ok.
 
Once, My stage tech managed to tune an elixir one octave above!!! The string was OK, but I had to replace the tuner.
Anyway, imagine my surprize, at the first "low" B :-))
 
Once, My stage tech managed to tune an elixir one octave above!!! The string was OK, but I had to replace the tuner.
Anyway, imagine my surprize, at the first "low" B :-))
 
Florin said:
Once, My stage tech managed to tune an elixir one octave above!!! The string was OK, but I had to replace the tuner.
Anyway, imagine my surprize, at the first "low" B :-))
Click to expand...

hahaha, I would've fired his ass :lol:
 
Thumb83 said:
So I have a 5 string thumb bo, and I recently bought a 6 string set of strings, and strung it E-C instead of B-G, the nut works perfectly with the thinner strings, but I was wondering if I will need to take the bass in to get a setup for things like a truss rod adjustment or anything like that. Anyone have experience with something like this?
Click to expand...


I did this exact same thing on my old 2003 Thumb NT5 & only needed to re-intonate.I could've adjusted the nut & bridge,which I think I did later on,but it wasnt necessary.
 
Greg said:
I did this exact same thing on my old 2003 Thumb NT5 & only needed to re-intonate.I could've adjusted the nut & bridge,which I think I did later on,but it wasnt necessary.
Click to expand...
Sorry for probably sounding like a huge noob or whatever, but how does one re-intonate? I've never really done much of anything to my bass before, so I'm new in regards to pretty much anything besides actually playing bass.
 
Thumb83 said:
Sorry for probably sounding like a huge noob or whatever, but how does one re-intonate? I've never really done much of anything to my bass before, so I'm new in regards to pretty much anything besides actually playing bass.
Click to expand...


No worries mate.There's no shame.
To intonate,means to tune in the usual way,then check,& if necessary,adjust the saddles at the bridge.There's a good sticky about intonation in the "tips & tricks" section.
If you need any help,dont hesitate to ask.
 
Yeah, intonation just means that the open note and 12th fret note (every fretted note, essentially) is in tune on a string. Pluck and tune an open note, then play the same string on the 12th fret. If it's in tune it's intonated. If it's sharp or flat you'll have to adjust the saddles on the bridge.

Good luck! : )
Def look in the tips & tricks section, there are countless great posts in there by some of these brilliant forum members. Really great stuff, act...



Andy
living.syndication
 
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