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I've got a Mustang bass that I really like (with D'Addario Chromes flatwounds on it) but I'm not a big fan of the low E string. Might be because of the lower tension of that string, not sure.

Anyway, I'm considering tuning the bass ADGC instead of EADG, basically removing the E string, moving the other ones one slot up and buying a .30" or so string for the C. Apparently this is called tenor bass tuning. That's what the internet told me, at least.

By the way, I probably won't use this to play with other people, it's basically for fucking around at home (and recording bits and putting them in my Radiomusic for further modular processing if I'm not too lazy).

My questions :

- I will obviously have to redo the intonation and might have to adjust the truss rod (ugh), but as I'll only use slightly smaller strings the nut should be ok, right ? Getting another nut for the bass might make this more expensive than I want...

- The Mustang requires medium scale strings because the strings go through the body. My two options for an individual .30 or so Chromes are long scale bass string or guitar string. I read on talkbass that guitar strings work fine on bass. They're a bit cheaper too. Any idea about that ?

- Any other potential issues ?

issues are small string ball maybe going through the holes… but you could just get some small washer things or something

I meant to reply to this earlier. Stanley Clarke uses this tuning. I have no experience with it. I am interested though.

Mudfuzz wrote:issues are small string ball maybe going through the holes… but you could just get some small washer things or something

Ahah, this make so much sense that I wonder how I didn't think about it before. Thanks.
I'll probably get the long scale bass string if I try this then...

Chankgeez wrote:I meant to reply to this earlier. Stanley Clarke uses this tuning. I have no experience with it. I am interested though.

I have a 1/8 [30" scale] size double bass in this tuning, i's cool
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoZX6WFze90[/youtube]

oscillateur wrote:

Mudfuzz wrote:issues are small string ball maybe going through the holes… but you could just get some small washer things or something

Ahah, this make so much sense that I wonder how I didn't think about it before. Thanks.
I'll probably get the long scale bass string if I try this then...

or yo can just get a high C string and take off the low E to test the idea out before committing to getting a whole set

Mudfuzz wrote:or yo can just get a high C string and take off the low E to test the idea out before committing to getting a whole set

Yeah, that's the plan. Just getting one string and moving the other three one slot up. And I'd keep the E string in case I want to go back to normal tuning...

You can also get custom strings from Kalium or La Bella. Also there are string tension calculators online.