Author Topic: Tuning question (Read 180 times)

redcloud · « **on:** October 11, 2011, 06:11:01 PM »

Besides my 4 and 5 string Alembics, I have a 6 string Carvin.

Since I have significantly more experience with guitars and am new to bass, why not tune it B,E,A,D,F#,B? It appears many tune B,E,A,D,F,C.

Tuning it with the same intervals as a guitar seems to make it easier for me. Is there a disadvantage to tuning it my way?

Scott

charles_holmes · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:41:31 PM »

So..I say go with your gut instincts. Alternate tuning is really cool! Check out Micahael Manring,he's always using different tunings.
(IMHO)There's no disadvantage doing something your way!! Besides if you don't like your way of tuning, go conventional..Experimentation brings a plethora of inspiration/ideas and or techniques. GO FOR IT!!!!!

JimmyJ · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:43:49 PM »

Scott,
There are no rules, anything you can think up is worth trying. I think the original Fender VI from the 60's was a bass guitar with that tuning, no? You may need to fiddle with string gauges a bit but you can get pretty much anything these days.
Have fun!
Jimmy J

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:51:10 PM »

B,E,A,D,G,C ? I like the idea of E,A,D,G,C,F I have also tuned a 4 string Bass B,E,A,D some years ago when I had to access those below E notes.

hieronymous · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2011, 10:59:34 PM »

Whatever you feel comfortable with is cool, unless you feel like pushing the boundaries of comfort!

Personally, I play my 6-string (Ibanez) BEADGC, but I play my (Fender Japan) Bass VI EADGBE. With guitar tuning the Bass VI feels fine, but with just one more string all-4ths is comfortable with me for the Ibanez.

But then again, I have heard recently that going beyond your comfort zone is good for you - as in, it may combat the onset of Alzheimer's - so I suggest experimentation! 5ths could be the way to go...

pacificshine · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2011, 09:01:10 AM »

The only ?advantage? or benefit to B-C or E-F tuning on a 6 string bass is that you have true movable shapes or patterns, everywhere on the fret board. If you are familiar with the traditional soprano guitar tuning (E-E) you may wish to use similar tuning but an octave lower (or B-B tuning) but keep in mind that on a bass you normally don?t use more than a triple stop unlike a standard guitar where the outside strings are two octaves apart, which makes the fingering and barring of chords easier and more familiar. As it was said before the only real rule is that there are no rules so always experiment with new ideas.