Author Topic: Restringing (Read 186 times)

kimberly · « **on:** February 07, 2007, 03:28:15 PM »

Hi Everyone.

A general question/thought/idea to one and all.

As some of you have seen and heard via my YouTube stuff,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSseP3GPlTY Got Blues?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFNDmzqIUB8 Low Rider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAVSHVRnDzo SOTR/Vincent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxb1vHU8Bcw First Keaggy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrKjiVDIxk American Woman

this is fairly representative of what I'm doing. Based upon this type of venue/approach/direction, I'm starting to wonder about restringing from E-C from my current B-G setup. It seems (gut feel), as if my low B may be more 'useful' in a band type format and a high C would be better suited in my solo bassist approach.

Any and all input/feedback would be very much appreciated and thank you in advance.

Best Regards,

Kimberly

PS. Love the board. A bunch of nice folks.

hb3 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2007, 03:51:01 PM »

I thought you were playing a six....?

kimberly · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2007, 04:21:40 PM »

Actually, I play a five.

Kimberly

hb3 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2007, 04:48:08 PM »

Can't say for sure as I've never done it. I'm sure someone here has, though...

jseitang · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2007, 05:15:19 PM »

stringing it high c would allow you to play high register stuff without going up the neck. you would just continue on to the next string in the same position. that said, it would defintely allow more chordal passages and you also be able pull a nice in between tonal range. check out steve swallow's syuff if you havent already. he plays a five string tuned that way.

tom_z · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2007, 07:20:35 PM »

Kimberly - I'm with Jimmy on this. Your lovely arpegiated phrases and harmonics will ring very nicely with a slightly increased high end. And perhaps cut through the din of the crowd a bit in the room where you've been recording.

Peace
Tom

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2007, 07:44:34 PM »

I'm kind of in the middle here Kimberly. While I do agree that the C-E tuning will aid you in the melody a LOT; I'm an old hard core Bass guitar fan, (As is evident in my custom bass being a 4 string.)
I do have some extended range basses (5, 6 & 8 string) and do play them but my heart lies in the lower register.
That being said your doing a solo gig the C-E may be the way to go. I can lock a groove down pretty good but when it comes to playing melodies you ROCK. I?d try it and if it works cool and if not you can always go back.

God Bless,
Olie

PS. Keep the videos coming!

bassjigga · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2007, 08:44:50 PM »

I string all my basses this way. After time I found I just don't like the B and really don't use it much. I find a high C much more useful. Ultimately it's a personal preference, but from what you're playing I think you could benefit from a C. Pretty easy way to find out though... try it! Just buy a set of strings and do a setup. No problem.

hb3 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2007, 09:45:06 PM »

It's not a problem? Don't you have to replace the nut or something?

bassjigga · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2007, 10:03:32 PM »

Not necessarily. If it's going to stay that way, it's probably a good idea, but I've done it without replacing the nut and haven't had any issues.

jseitang · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2007, 10:55:43 PM »

well if you could have it two ways, you could always get a six string. then you'll have the low b and the high c!

0vid · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2007, 12:52:22 AM »

I have a 7 string Conklin Groove tools lefty. I tune it like a guitar E to E, but with a low B. If I had a 6 string I 'd tune it E to E, like a guitar. I suppose this is becuase I have been playing guitar for as long as I have been playing bass, ....but it certainly doesn't forceme tothink differently that much.

So far I have stayed off 5 strings but have thought that if I play a 5 I'd tune it E to G with a top B. I don't really have use for notes lower than low E in what I do, except for the occasional Eb or D, though in the trio context with piano and drums, I can do some chordal things in shapes I already instinctively know. I suppose this does not work for the people who need the low B string more than I do.

jacko · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2007, 01:25:06 AM »

Hugh makes a very good point. The nut grooves AND the Bridge saddle grooves will all be too big so there could be quite alot of buzzing. It's easy enough to replace the nut and bridge saddles and have a the grooves recut but there will inevitably be a cost.

graeme

bracheen · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2007, 03:41:51 AM »

I think the adage You can't teach an old dog new tricks was written with me in mind. Like Olie, I'm a 4 stringer at heart. Unlike Olie, I just get confused by extended ranges. However, amateur that I am, your idea makes perfect sense to me in your context. If you don't use the B much then going E-C may be the move you want to make.

Sam

keavin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:55:04 AM »

Did you see this chic???.....http://youtube.com/watch?v=V648NRbG7P8