8 String: 4ths vs. 5ths?

[t.drinn]

I was hoping some folks might be able to give me some info concerning tuning in 4ths versus tuning in 5ths for 8 string bass. I've been playing bass guitar for 20 yrs. or so, and obviously 4ths would some seem to give me a familiar set of shapes. But I have experiment with tuning in 5ths and I do like some of the different shapes and ideas I get from that. Is learning a whole new set of fingerings really worth the extended range 5ths would give? And how would it affect string tension? Any advice is much appreciated.

[t.drinn]

C'mon folks, I know some of you players out there have some experience with these different tunings. I'm getting ready to purchase a Warr Raptor 8 (mono) and would truly appreciate any knowledge that could be shared with me on this subject. I'm sure this topic has probably been covered before, but as a relative newbie to Tappistry I've not been able to locate any posts on this particular subject in my searches. HELP!

[rockola]

I have no experience with an 8-string in 5ths, and this isn't 100% like that, but you might want to check out Kuno's New Standard Tuning (http://home.t-online.de/home/kuno.tap/NST.html) pages.

[ixlramp]

over 2 years later...

YES! 8 strings in fifths is possible
however the extreme range produced needs extreme strings. working downward from the highest practical bass string: a .007 tuned to Eb (1 semitone below a guitars top string) you get this:

standard extended range bass fourths tuning is shown on the left. 8 strings in fifths on the right

each line below corresponds to one semitone

Eb_____D# 7 plain




Bb

_______G# 13 plain


F



_______C# 22 wound
C




G
_______F# 35



D


_______B 65

A




E______E 100 standard bass E string




B

_______A 135


F#



_______D 195
C#

the .007 .135 and .195 can be mail ordered from conklin guitars:

www.conklinguitars.com/accessories.html

[rjgoos]

I have two homemade 8-string instruments. One of them is in 5ths and 4ths, like a 10-string Chapman Stick, except that the low-low bass string and the highest melody string have been omitted. So, maybe the question should be....4ths or 5ths or [4ths + 5ths]?

However, if I were to answer your question, I would prefer an 8-string instrument in straight 4ths, and play it in a cross-handed fashion. There is more than enough range for anything a person would want to play in straight 4ths.

I think an ADG-8 would be an interesting instrument for that, but with only one pickup, wouldn't the bass strings overpower the melody strings? Anyone here heard one?

Jay