So I am making a 5 string bass. The intention is to be able to play a both F#BEAD and BEADG tuning (don't worry about nuts and the bridge, I have that figured out). Problem, I am told I need a 38" scale to keep the F# from flopping. Couple of problems:
1. Longer scale = more tension, right? I don't want to have to worry about putting in reinforcements.
2. I don't want to have to shop for specialty strings more than I have to (i.e. nothing besides the F# string), so I would really prefer to keep it 35" at the most.
So if I were to do a 34 or 35" scale bass, what guage would you recommend for all 6 strings?
EDIT: I don't mean I will use the same 5 strings for both tunings. I will buy 6 strings, and when I want to switch to standard, I will change all the strings
1. Longer scale = more tension, right? I don't want to have to worry about putting in reinforcements.
2. I don't want to have to shop for specialty strings more than I have to (i.e. nothing besides the F# string), so I would really prefer to keep it 35" at the most.
So if I were to do a 34 or 35" scale bass, what guage would you recommend for all 6 strings?
EDIT: I don't mean I will use the same 5 strings for both tunings. I will buy 6 strings, and when I want to switch to standard, I will change all the strings