Hey there,
I just got my first Ashbory. I used to play bass and now I play fiddle. My big idea was to tune the Ashbory in fifths like a violin. At first I thought of tuning the E string down to a D. This way the strings would be tuned DAEB. I did not do this because I didn't want to risk tuning the G string up a major third. Instead I tuned the E string down a major third to a C; this way the strings are tuned CGDA, which is like a cello except an octave lower. And this way the G string is only tuned a whole step higher than usual. So, I tried it last night and it worked fine. The C is very low, but surprisingly it stayed in tune. Also, when I tuned it all the way down so that the string wasn't wound around the peg at all it was only a C#, so I took the sting off and stretched it out. Now it's a C when wound half way around the peg. The G string did not break when tuned to an A, and it even sounded good. I loosened the higher strings before putting it down for the night. Has anyone ever tried this before? And has anyone ever tuned the G string up until it broke? Do you think it could handle being tuned up to a B, ie, up a major third higher than usual? Any cello players out there ever try this? Play Bach on your Ashbory?
