I’m thinking of getting a Six string bass. Mostly any ibanez btb. But, I’m not
keen on the standard tuning of, BEADGC and I was thinking about tuning it too, EEADGG or any tuning that has the lowest strings, both, tuned to E. Is this possible? and how? I’d love to know!
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Hi there!
Do you want to tune both low strings to the same E? That should work, but an octave would maybe be unworkable.
I think you’re most likely to have to consider string tension, so I went looking for an online calculator (see below).
The thing is that you would need custom string gauges.
Why?
I don’t understand how this benefits you over a 4-string bass.
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I’m way into all kinds of weird tunings on my basses.
You could absolutely do this.
You’d have to buy a 4 string set + singles, and you’d have to keep your eyes on the setup, as the bass wouldn’t be dialed in to have a same diameter string on the outside.
I’m not sure what you have planned here, but once you give me strings, I just want to tune them to different things and make cool songs with my cool tunings.
It’s super unorthodox, but you can absolutely do it.
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I’ve heard Les Claypool has tuned two strings to the same note for use in playing chords.
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Sure!
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but why? I’m sorry this does not compute.
I have to admit as far as alternate tunings go this is a pretty steep price to pay to get two extra octaves you’ll rarely if ever use both of in a single song.
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experiment.
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thats a reason why i’m doing this.
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I’m just experimenting with things…and I heard that Les claypool does something similar when it comes to playing chords.
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you’ll never know 
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another reason why I’m thinkin’ of doing this is because, I dont like the low B string. It gets in my way. And I’m not too sure that a five string bass could be tuned: EADGC without having to look out for string tension, Gauge, Nut size and more.
And it’s also because, I like to solo on higher registers and I find the four strings too limiting sometimes.
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oh, what I meant is that the B string be tuned to an E being the same octave that the E string is already on.
This can be done. You should be fine with just a setup.
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Yeah, absolutely. While BEADG is more common for a 5-string, the E-C tuning is used a lot as well.
As @eric.kiser said, a setup is likely required and possible a new nut (to better accommodate the smaller gauges).
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I actually strung the Thunderbird with ADGC once and it sounded pretty good. No other adjustments required
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2 of my 5 strings turned this way for chords and god forbid, solos.
Personally, If I’d do another one I’d go with thicker C gauge as i think it would sound better with solo and not to much like guitars.
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I’m even more confused now…
So, won’t the extra E string just do the same?
Wouldn’t you run into the exact same problems with your proposed tuning?
Then why are you leaving your highest string at G?
I’ll go with the others here that it sounds like what you want is a 5-string tuned to EADGC
Or just get a 6-string and remove the B-string entirely.
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Also, you could look at a Bass VI. They’re tuned just like a guitar but an octave lower. Schecter, Fender, and Squier, all have options on the market.
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You’re not alone. 
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