5 String Bass

[babayaga]

Hi MarkE.

Just to pick your brains....

For 'Rondo' I'm using a 5-string bass. It's one that Tom acquired and the high action is slightly better for me than my Yammy at the minute - (I really need to get the allen-keys out and play with the adjustments on that as well...).

My question is about your thought's on tuning... at the minute its standard tuning on the top four, but with an extra low B put in giving addtional low notes. I believe that some players tend to prefer tuning from the standard low E and then having an extra high C string to play. I'm thinking that the latter might be worth a try (maybe NOT before these upcoming gigs though! :-)), given that Greg tended to play his bass like a lead guitar at times, throwing in high licks on occasions...

Would just appreciate your thoughts on it....

Take care and have a great weekend all - G.

[MarkE]

Hi Graham,

Im afraid that I dont have too much of a brain to pick here. I have always played 4 bangers. The idea of 5 or 6 never really appealed to me. In fact there was only one time that I actually tried a 5 string and I didnt like it very much. The spacing of the strings just seemed alien to me and uncomfortable.

In all honesty I only twiddled with it for about 2 minutes, and that was many years ago. These days I have become more curious about them and came pretty close to buying one on more than one occasion.

I would tune it with a low B (I think) but for a specific reason. I have rather short fingers for a bassist and I have trouble reaching across with my pinky on the upper frets. I would choose a B because it wouldnt be used as often. One of the things that attracted me to Carvin was the thin neck all the way up.
When I first got it I had a bit of trouble. On my Tank vid, during the fast riff section you can actually see me overshooting the distance on the upper frets because I wasnt used to the thin neck LOL.

Anyway...besides that...I can see advantages to both. On some songs (wizards in winter, nirvana and others) I have had to tune down. However, with a high B it would be like a regular guitar with a string missing. That could be nice.

I see your dilema. For ELP perhaps high would be better. I can see it making the Tarkus main riff possibly easier.

I wish I could be more help here.