High strung Stingray 5

[basscat]

Hi everyone
I'm considering getting myself a second Stingray 5 and tune that E-C. Is anyone (Greg?) aware of any problems related to that, for example related to the nut slots. Also, what strings would you recommend for best result, which in my opinion is a full sounding C string, closer to the sound of the G string than to the sound of a guitar string. Any input would be highly appreciated.

Later

Basscat

 

[Greg]

You will probably need to replace the nut, due to the difference in string gauges.

What string gauges are you currently using?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[basscat]

I use 40-125 ad they work great. An additional question on the same theme, what are the reasons that you don't make standard six string bass guitars? Is it due to low demand or that you can't get six strings to sound the way a Music man bass should sound. The latter reason I can understand as the six strings I've played don't sound as dynamic and natural as four and five strings. That's the reason I'm looking at adding a high strung five tp my arsenal instead of a six. If there was a good six available from you guys it would definitely be worth checking out. What's your opinion?

Thanks

Basscat

 

[Greg]

Low demand.

But, you never know...

Thanks,
Greg

 

[kakobass]

I have been doing that for awhile and the StingRay 5 is great for that, specially because the close string spacing makes using chords a joy and the neck is way thinner than a 6 string. I use a 6 string regular Dáddario strings set, because they are decent strings and is the cheapest way to go since you have to discard the B string (I have eight .125 B strings in my closet, anybody?). I believe the set is 125-100-85-65-45-32. Its the XL170...
I haven´t found a factory-made easily available E to C set. I believe GHS makes them but haven´t seen them. The nut on the StingRay5 has not been an issue whatsoever and I can get the action super low without any buzzes.

The 32 gauge for the C string has a lot of tension, I think a 30 or 28 would be easier to play, but again looking for special gauges is a quest and trying different 6 string set can get expensive, so I have settled for that Dáddario that cost around $22. By the way, I regularly use Slinkys in my other basses.

Hope that helps. I think high strung 5s are a a lot of fun and definitely easier to play than 6 strings.

Carlos.

 

[basscat]

I actually tried high stringing my SR 5 the other day. I quite liked it and it sounded great. I used Status Hotwires, .40-100 with a .30 C. I went back to normal again on my Stingray after a couple of hours because I missed the low B too much. I will either go for a six or another SR5 that I can string with the high C permanently. I just need that fretless SR5 with piezos first...

I've got a four string that I sometimes string piccolo (E-G an octave higher) and sometimes string tenor bass (A-C). When doing the latter I have mostly used a custom set, .28-.85 and that .28 is a nice balance between playability and full tone.


Basscat