Members Annoying Twit Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 Is there any reason why a six string bass couldn't be tuned to the same intervals (relative to the lowest string) as a six string guitar? This would mean that the same scale patterns could be used on both. I do realise that the same scale shapes in the same locations on bass and guitar would end up in different keys as guitars have a low E string, and basses a low B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members texasbassplayer Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 You mean like a Bass VI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knuckle_head Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 I tune with an octave down E on bottom and tune my bass in 4ths - just like my baritone only an octave lower. It works just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members James Hart Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 I tuned a 5 string E-A-D-G-B from 1990 on... my 7 string is tuned B-E-A-D-G-B-E. Tunings are open to whatever works for you... so long as you can play the notes needed. A six string tuned B-E-A-D-F#-B might be interesting for a shred guitarist moving to bass wanting to keep muscle memory patterns the same I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 10, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 I meant tuning it from B to B. So sort of like a Fender VI, but a Fender VI is E to E. I'm not a shredder, but was wondering if normalising the tuning of the guitar and bass would maximise the worth of practice time, as something learnt on one would immediately apply to the other. It's not a biggie, as generally the bass books I've seen (and the online six string bass resources) concentrate on single octave scale patterns, which can be transposed to any starting position. I'd lose the ability to do that, but would have same shaped multi-octave scale and run patterns. What really attracts me to >4 stringed basses (given my current knowledge which is basic) is the ability to play across the neck. Hence guitar scales would be something I'd probably find useful. I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FloydianAnimal Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 I meant tuning it from B to B. So sort of like a Fender VI, but a Fender VI is E to E. I'm not a shredder, but was wondering if normalising the tuning of the guitar and bass would maximise the worth of practice time, as something learnt on one would immediately apply to the other. It's not a biggie, as generally the bass books I've seen (and the online six string bass resources) concentrate on single octave scale patterns, which can be transposed to any starting position. I'd lose the ability to do that, but would have same shaped multi-octave scale and run patterns. What really attracts me to >4 stringed basses (given my current knowledge which is basic) is the ability to play across the neck. Hence guitar scales would be something I'd probably find useful. I think. Sure, that could be done. So you mean going (low note to high note): B E A D G B the only difference would be you might need a heavier high b string since normally you have: B E A D G C on a 6 string bass. So except for one string tuned down half a step, your tuning would be exactly the same... no reason why that can't be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members brake Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 Thinking in patterns and shapes is already limiting the effectiveness of your practice time, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 10, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 Thinking in patterns and shapes is already limiting the effectiveness of your practice time, imo. What would you recommend that I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted November 10, 2008 Members Share Posted November 10, 2008 if you were a guitar player then you would appreciate those guitar tunings tuning in 4ths throughout means shapes which work low down work high up without moving up the fretboard..root fifth for a start and a major minor turnaround riff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 if you were a guitar player then you would appreciate those guitar tunings tuning in 4ths throughout means shapes which work low down work high up without moving up the fretboard..root fifth for a start and a major minor turnaround riff My aim is to be a multi-instrumentalist. I'm very happy to accept the compromise of limited skills in each instrument. As well as bass and guitar, I certainly want to add mandolin in the nearish future. My plan is to restring the mandolin in reverse so that it mirrors the tuning of bass and guitar. My aim is to look for efficiency over several instruments. I'd want to be able to both accompany and solo with all instruments. Including extended bass solos. The last few days I've been doing only guitar practice in the expectation of my six-string bass arriving, resulting in a fair period of me mainly playing my 5 string and 6 string bass, to decide which I will keep. However, I was playing walking bass patterns and bass riffs on the guitar with bass-style finger plucking as I tend to mix and match practice across instruments a bit. Tuning is one of the easiest things to change on a bass, so I'll probably experiment with a number of different tunings and approaches. I'm happy that currently I'm making progress towards where I want to be. That's easier since my aim is to be able to play and record for my own pleasure. So I don't have to achieve professional playing standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ToeJamFootball Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 You can tune however you want. I tune my 6 ADADGC with one band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knuckle_head Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 FWIW I tune my bari guitar in 4ths - not to match any other instrument per se, but because it provides consistent intervals across and up and down my fret board. My former lead singer did this and it made sense to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 FWIW I tune my bari guitar in 4ths - not to match any other instrument per se, but because it provides consistent intervals across and up and down my fret board.My former lead singer did this and it made sense to me... Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way. Maybe it's not the bass I should retune, but the guitar! After all, I was playing power chords on my five string on high strings and frets. Different tunings could make that tricky. BTW: The bass arrived this morning, and is in no specific tuning to say the least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 I would only be concerned with the amount of force being applied to the neck and tuners and bridge, with the tighter tensions needed to bring your low B string up to E. It adds considerable force. However, if you lightened up your string gauges, maybe used a Super Light set, then that reduces the tension needed for each string to be tuned higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 I would only be concerned with the amount of force being applied to the neck and tuners and bridge, with the tighter tensions needed to bring your low B string up to E. It adds considerable force.However, if you lightened up your string gauges, maybe used a Super Light set, then that reduces the tension needed for each string to be tuned higher. I'm confused. In all the tunings I suggested, the B string would remain a B. I'd be tuning it to the same intervals as guitar strings, not the same notes. E.g. B E A D f# b With lower case being the retuned strings. Is it possible to get an utter monster gauge of a string so that I can tune it lower than B? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members James Hart Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 Is it possible to get an utter monster gauge of a string so that I can tune it lower than B? La Bella makes a .150 for ERB's tuned with a Low F#... http://bigcitystrings.com/bass5678.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WhoZat Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 I put an F# string on under the B. So it's F# B E A D G. It's a BASS. String it low. Let it ROAR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Renfield Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 I'm confused. In all the tunings I suggested, the B string would remain a B. I'd be tuning it to the same intervals as guitar strings, not the same notes. E.g. B E A D f# b With lower case being the retuned strings. Is it possible to get an utter monster gauge of a string so that I can tune it lower than B? Rotosound Drop Zone Plus 85-105-135-175 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 You can tune however you want. exactly...next you have to be able to play it effectively its not the tunings but the intervals which i think should be similar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bryan316 Posted November 12, 2008 Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 I'm confused. In all the tunings I suggested, the B string would remain a B. I'd be tuning it to the same intervals as guitar strings, not the same notes. E.g. B E A D f# bWith lower case being the retuned strings.Is it possible to get an utter monster gauge of a string so that I can tune it lower than B? AAAH. I thought you wanted a E to E bass. Nevermind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 12, 2008 La Bella makes a .150 for ERB's tuned with a Low F#...http://bigcitystrings.com/bass5678.htm Now I'm home, I've discovered that the bass has an incorrect top string. I think I have two G strings. They appear to be the same gauge, and tuning up the top one to C makes it REALLY taut. So if I need to add another string, I have the choice of obtaining a C, or a low F#. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Annoying Twit Posted November 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 13, 2008 It seems that to get a 175 string to tune to F#, that I'd need to buy a set of Warwick Dark Lord strings. I can't find the La Bella 175. The Warwick Dark Lord strings cost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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