High C

[fleakeepr666]

Hey, I'm looking at different 5ers because I'm looking for my next purchase but from all the 5ers I've tried have a had a low B. I like it, but I'm so used to a 4 string bass that I feel as though it gets in my way. I've never tried a High C, but not only do I think it would be more comfortable for me, I would like the C for chords and what not.

So what I'm asking you is (1) do you prefer B or C and the pros and cons of both, and (2) what companies make the High C, because frankly, I can't find them anywhere. Thanks much :thumb:

[BenJammin]

I prefer both.

But the high C on my 6er gets way more use.

And if you want a 5 with a high C, you'll be best off buying a pack of strings for a six and just swapping the B for a C.

[fleakeepr666]

Do you mean getting a new nut and cutting it for the High C? Cuz the E wouldn't fit in the B's spot.

[BenJammin]

Do you mean getting a new nut and cutting it for the High C? Cuz the E wouldn't fit in the B's spot.

No, it would. The B string is larger than the E, so the E would fit fine.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have a 6 string, but I prefer the C and have given it way more use than the B. However, lately I have found myself using the B more and more.

I don't understand how the B would get in your way. If anything, it seems way easier to ignore than the C if you aren't using it for a song or something.

[fleakeepr666]

Oh I just realized that the string tension would hold it in.

[fleakeepr666]

I have a 6 string, but I prefer the C and have given it way more use than the B. However, lately I have found myself using the B more and more.

I don't understand how the B would get in your way. If anything, it seems way easier to ignore than the C if you aren't using it for a song or something.

When I play on 5ers with B's I always forget that its not an E and it screws up my line. Maybe it's just me.

[lateralus423]

I had a B on my 5er and i never used it really so i adopted a high C and its quite fascinating. The B can be useful at times but others i just hated it but it did make a nice thumb rest! Anyways, Ernie ball makes C's.

[gronk]

I'm thinking about getting a 5er for my next bass, but the main reason stopping me is I don't believe I would get much use out of a B. The lowest I usually have to go is drop D tuning. I've always said if I was to go more than 4 strings, I'd just jump to a 6er simply because you get the B plus the high C. Although it is possible just to change your 5er to have a high C. You wouldn't need to change nuts though would you?

[sixner]

i dont think any 5 string bass comes with a High C as a standard... i believe you have to custom order, or customize yourself............ I've thought about doing that too... you would probably need to adjust your bridge and maybe your trussrod to deal with the tension..

-sixner

[WhoDidTheElf]

I don't think any one makes a five that's tuned EADGC, I think you have to tune it your self. (New stricns and what not) And I believe it would be fine with stock nut and bridge and what have you.

/has more use for a B than a C
<<
>>
/runs

Edit: Damnit Sixner beat me to it.

[Sade]

i dont think any 5 string bass comes with a High C as a standard... i believe you have to custom order, or customize yourself............ I've thought about doing that too... you would probably need to adjust your bridge and maybe your trussrod to deal with the tension..

-sixner

Or you could just buy a 6 string set. :lol:

[bbbbass]

http://www.conklinguitars.com/accessories.html

They sell singles, so yeah...

They don't list the high c, but they carry them, just email them.

[Naveed Afzal]

Do you mean getting a new nut and cutting it for the High C? Cuz the E wouldn't fit in the B's spot.


hmm this is true sometimes it depends o the string, i used a set of elixers that the e, kinda moved around and wobbled a little bit... causing this high pitched squeak to come out it didnt come thru the amp, i just heard it.. when i hit notes near the 12th fret...

i was told i needed a new nut, some people here told me i wasnt telling the truth so i said **** it, when i moved to using prosteels i went to a high c once again.. and its worked since then im happy with it. Prosteels are deceptively thick... so maybe thats what it was...

someone also told me it was an issue with my bridge.

[fleakeepr666]

^Yeah it probably was your bridge. When you lower the action sometimes you lower a saddle to low, and they have nothing to grip into, so they start to slide.

But on the Prosteels suggestion, I'm glad that they work because I love that string. Prosteels and Ampeg club? I use both. :thumb:

[Phalanx]

6 string ftw, best of both worlds, I use the High C more than the B but I still like using the B for grooving and shiz

[Naveed Afzal]

^Yeah it probably was your bridge. When you lower the action sometimes you lower a saddle to low, and they have nothing to grip into, so they start to slide.

But on the Prosteels suggestion, I'm glad that they work because I love that string. Prosteels and Ampeg club? I use both. :thumb:

Ha thats cool, cuz i was looking at a cherry burst, rickenbackeer 4003 for USED 1119 yesterday, ive been researching it, and i want it... but i want alot, so may toss down 400 just to keep them from selling it, and then pay it really slow, cuz i have 6 months with no intrest, and i can actually purchase it today.

[Jaded]

I hate low B strings. I'm currently in the market for a good fretless fiver (new or used) for under 1000 bucks, and I intend on getting a new nut cut for it and stringing it EADGC.

[Machines]

I much prefer the low B on a 5, but it's very dependant on what style of music you intend to play. For rock/metal stuff, a low B is more handy than a high C.

For jazzy and more 'virtuoso' style playing, then the high C is more appropriate, that's all my opinion, of course.

[mastrrbasser]

all of this talk about high c is making me thirsty. remember the orange flavored one that was green, and had a picture of slimer(from the ghost busters)? that **** was awesome!!!.

I prefer the low B though. I like to groove on the low notes.

[Hardinge]

all the sixers i have played the b string feels really bad as it rattles all the time

[Liebensaft]

I just bought a 5 string with a low B. I can't see myself using it a whole lot, and I think I might go with the high C. Unless you're playing metal stuff a lot, I can't see using the B string real often.

[mastrrbasser]

Unless you're playing metal stuff a lot, I can't see using the B string real often.


ever hear of stuart zender from jamiroquai? what about gary willis? The low b isn't used exclusivly for heavy metal(i tend to use my four strings more than my fiver in a metal setting), even though the low b is better than detuning a four string. I like to Write grooves on the low B string opposed to metal songs.

stuart zender:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9181961738287856285&q=jamiroquai

..nothing against high C string though, but when it comes to a five string, i want more low end. I would love a decent sixer though.

[Jimbobntnr]

I don't use the low B for the extra low notes, I use it for positioning, just as much as the high C

[mastrrbasser]

I don't use the low B for the extra low notes, I use it for positioning, just as much as the high C


gotta love how easy it is to play 2 octave scales on an ERB.

[Jimbobntnr]

gotta love how easy it is to play 2 octave scales on an ERB.
werd.

[sixner]

Or you could just buy a 6 string set. :lol:
I read that even if you do that, you still need to adjust thing's due to the tension of the C

though now that i think about, i dont see why you would....
*shrug*
-sixner

[The Forgotten Bassist]

ever hear of stuart zender from jamiroquai? what about gary willis? The low b isn't used exclusivly for heavy metal(i tend to use my four strings more than my fiver in a metal setting

And Marron 5, there's a 5 string slinger for ya that is anything but metal. It reallly depends on what you plan to play. Personally I use my high C when I'm doing jazzy stuff or soloing. But in a band situation I find that the high C isn't used that much and that the low B rules the roost sometimes.

There are 5 string basses that are made EADGC, can't remember any og the makes or models though. I know that isn't very helpfull but that's all I can remember.

[Phalanx]

ever hear of stuart zender from jamiroquai? what about gary willis? The low b isn't used exclusivly for heavy metal(i tend to use my four strings more than my fiver in a metal setting), even though the low b is better than detuning a four string. I like to Write grooves on the low B string opposed to metal songs.

stuart zender:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9181961738287856285&q=jamiroquai

..nothing against high C string though, but when it comes to a five string, i want more low end. I would love a decent sixer though.

that video is great, his tone is magnificent

[baggagebassman]

I prefer a C, but I usually just stick with a low B due to lack of string options.

[HaVIC5]

gotta love how easy it is to play 2 octave scales on an ERB.
Or three octave scales on a seven. :p

I strung my 5 string EADGC, and boy did that C string open my mind as to what can be done with a bass.

[sanray]

I hate low B strings. I'm currently in the market for a good fretless fiver (new or used) for under 1000 bucks, and I intend on getting a new nut cut for it and stringing it EADGC.

Damn you beat me to it, I was thinking the same thing, but I was wondering if I could get a flatwound high c

[groundzero]

I used to play my Schecter C5 in my metal band. I used the low D at the third fret of the B string a ton so I didn't have to detune and screw up my scale shapes.

I got my Fender Jazz 4 string and I've been using that more and I realized something. I never really used anything lower than that low D much at all. I now just tune down all my strings a whole step. I'm planning on restringing my C5 EADGC and then tuning it down to DCGFBb. That'll give me that low, crushing D and some higher notes to play with while only losing those 3 muddy bottom notes.

Also La Bella makes a bunch of sets to string EADGC with (and also DGCF). Juststrings.com has most (if not all) of them.

[vashts80]

I got a 5 string fretless, and was using a normal truss rod setup, with a normal 5 string set of strings, tuned tenor. It didn't go over well when I tuned down back to "standard" 5er tuning. I wish I would have waited and then spent the extra money on a 6 string. Don't make the same mistake I did, because you'll find that they're both useful in whatever style of music you play.

[JBass]

dude just go 6....i never even had a 5 i went straight from 4 to 6 and you find many ways to use each string....obviously you have 5 higher and lower notes but also since u have different gauges on strigns you can get more sounds out of the other notes...thicker/bassier sounds ont eh B and clean trebely notes on the C.....having both also makes it easier becasue you dont have to travel down the neck as much....just go 6....SR506 to be specific

[fleakeepr666]

Hmm, I've never really tried a 6er, but maybe that is the way to go.

[AcerbicCunnt77]

if your not going to use the b...then dont buy 6. save yr self some playing room and stick to 5 with the high c

[fleakeepr666]

AH! Decisions hurt the mind. But yeah I wouldn't use the B all that much. But who knows? I've never tried one so on my next trip to Ed Roman (I live in Las Vegas :P) I'll check out some.

[The Forgotten Bassist]

Damn you beat me to it, I was thinking the same thing, but I was wondering if I could get a flatwound high c

You can get flatwound Cs, D'Addarios make a flatwound 6 string pack. Don't really know any others but then again I only use D'Addarios now.

[Jody LeCompte]

If I were you I would just go for the six string. You dont use all 4 strings on a 4 string in one song, your not going to use your low B every second of every song, and your not going to use your high c.

Theyre still nice to have though.

[Phalanx]

If I were you I would just go for the six string. You dont use all 4 strings on a 4 string in one song, your not going to use your low B every second of every song, and your not going to use your high c.

Theyre still nice to have though.

123, spoil yourself :chug:

[Frankie]

Meh I've tried 6er but just don't see the point I'm quite happy with 4er at the moment.

[Phalanx]

Meh I've tried 6er but just don't see the point I'm quite happy with 4er at the moment.

the point is they have six strings

[EADG]

Or three octave scales on a seven. :p

I strung my 5 string EADGC, and boy did that C string open my mind as to what can be done with a bass.


Jean Baudin could still own you in open position scales.

[JBass]

AH! Decisions hurt the mind. But yeah I wouldn't use the B all that much. But who knows? I've never tried one so on my next trip to Ed Roman (I live in Las Vegas :P) I'll check out some.


Thats kinda what i was tlaking about...i never thought i'd use the B for anything...i odn't play metal i just play alot of funk and jazz and just straight up jams....but you find many ways to use it...climbing 3 oct5ave arpeggios is one of my favorite thigns to do on it starting on the B.....also it can give you the thicker bassier sound fo some notes that are on teh E or A....it just opens up your sound possibilities...although i use the C much more...i enjoy haveing the B to fall back on in case i need resolution lower than the E. If your loking for a bass with more then 4 strigns go 6