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UncleBungle

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
5
Greetings,

I've been toying with the idea of removing the low B on one my 5-string Stringray's and adding a high C.

Is there much else to do besides having a new nut installed and filed?

Have you heard of anyone trying this before with the StingRay? I searched the forums and couldn't find anything.

For the curious some tunes I play don't require a low B so it gets in the way whenever I have to babysit a muted B while playing a tune that requires the E to be heavily attacked. I also play lots of cords so the high C would add a new dimension to writing. I also love the sound and playability of my StingRay's so my first choice is to convert one of them.

Cheers,
Ken
 

bassmonkeee

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2004
Messages
4,628
Location
Decatur, GA
I've set up two different 5 string Bongos with EADGC tuning using red silked, smaller than average diameter flatwound strings and did not have to modify the nuts at all.

A simple tweak on the trussrod to account for the slightly higher tension, and adjusted the intonation on the bridge and I was good to go.

Worked like a charm--even with the compensated nuts.
 

ptg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
309
Location
New York
Sorry to go OT but I've been gassing for a 5er with a high c but I don't want to spend all the $ only to find out it's not for me.

If anyone in NY (I'm on Long Island) has such an animal, I would really love to check it out. This way I can decide on either a 4 or 5 string as my final bass purchase.

Thanks! :)
 

adouglas

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Sorry to go OT but I've been gassing for a 5er with a high c but I don't want to spend all the $ only to find out it's not for me.

If anyone in NY (I'm on Long Island) has such an animal, I would really love to check it out. This way I can decide on either a 4 or 5 string as my final bass purchase.

Thanks! :)

Can you play fretless?

I'm in CT. I've been meaning to string my fretless E-C and even have the strings for it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
 

ptg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
309
Location
New York
Can you play fretless?

I'm in CT. I've been meaning to string my fretless E-C and even have the strings for it, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Thanks for the great offer! I'm going to talk to the Mrs. about a road trip and just may take you up on that! :D
 

adouglas

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Thanks for the great offer! I'm going to talk to the Mrs. about a road trip and just may take you up on that! :D

Actually I can probably head over near you. I'll be going over to Commack sometime in the next few weeks for music-related business (which you might actually be interested in). PM me for details.

As I said, I haven't restrung it yet. I've got a July 4 gig and will want to leave it as it is until then at least.

Where on LI are you? My gig is on City Island, just across the Throgs Neck Bridge.

Oh, and BTW, it's a Blue Dawn Bongo. Just for that, you know, little extra mojo.
 

UncleBungle

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
5
Thank for the response guys. I really didn't want to replace the original nut so I'll definitely give this a shot.

I think I'll change my fretless 5-string StingRay too with the high C. Man I can already hear the mwah sound with that little stringy sucker.

Cheers,
Ken
 

freddy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
91
Location
Canada
This way I can decide on either a 4 or 5 string as my final bass purchase.

I don't understand the words..."my final bass purchase." Is this some kind of obscure, lost language. It could be profanity, actually, so it might not even be allowed on this forum...?
 

ptg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
309
Location
New York
I don't understand the words..."my final bass purchase." Is this some kind of obscure, lost language. It could be profanity, actually, so it might not even be allowed on this forum...?

Yeah, I'm old and beat up. You know how it is with music... I talked my wife into letting me get an SR4 fretless (which I love) but I want one final nice fretted bass.
Hmmm...I checked the smilies and they don't have any aging musicians...Rats!
 

MrMusashi

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
2,840
Location
69 degrees north
hehe.. have eb make you a sr5 20th and carve you a new nut at the same time.. my experience is that the strings may buzz if they dont fit properly in the nut ;)
but then again.. im a nutcase :D

MrM
 

freddy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
91
Location
Canada
If it absolutely has to be your last, how about a Bongo 6? (high C pluslow B)?
 

bassmancb

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Messages
437
Location
Chattanooga Tennessee
Aging musicians are like fine wine. Experience is something you earn through trial and error. Rock On!!!!!! Rephrase that to "my most recent purchase"
 

ptg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
309
Location
New York
If it absolutely has to be your last, how about a Bongo 6? (high C pluslow B)?

I've kind of eliminated a 6 only because I'm too old to learn new tricks and it's just too cumbersome for me to play for the few times I'll use the low b

Sorry to offend with "my final bass purchase." As per your request I will only refer to it as "my most recent purchase." :D

Also, with regard to my playing ability, I will no longer describe it as "poor." From here on in it will only be described as "quirky" :p

Thanks for the kick in the butt, guys! :)
 
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