How to restring a bajo sexto
A bajo sexto takes twelve strings in six courses, and a D'Addario EJ86 set puts over 300 lb on the neck (306 lb by D'Addario's chart, 312 lb in our tension calculator), so the job is done course by course. The strings have loop ends instead of balls, and the three bass courses are octave pairs, which is where most mix-ups happen.
Bajo sexto standard tuning, course by course
From the 6th course (lowest) to the 1st, at A 440 Hz; the three bass courses are octave pairs.
| String | Note | Hz |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | E1 + E2 | 41.20 + 82.41 |
| 5 | A1 + A2 | 55.00 + 110.00 |
| 4 | D2 + D3 | 73.42 + 146.83 |
| 3 | G2 | 98.00 |
| 2 | C3 | 130.81 |
| 1 | F3 | 174.61 |
How to use it
- Open the Bajo sexto / bajo quinto guide and tick each step when it's done. Your progress stays on this device.
- When the last box is ticked, the page scrolls to the tuner. Pick Standard for six courses or Bajo quinto for five.
- Pluck one string at a time and turn its key until the needle centers. Start over clears the list for the next string change.
Help and explanations
Tick off each step as you go; the guide also covers the five-course bajo quinto. At the end, the tuner checks every string from E1 (41.20 Hz) up to F3 (174.61 Hz).
Which string goes where
On the EJ86 set, the treble courses are unison pairs: two .026 on F3, two .036 on C3 and two .046 on G2. The bass courses pair a thick string with a thin one: .062 with .030 on D, .078 with .036 on A and .092 with .046 on E.
The thin strings of the bass courses use the same gauges as the treble strings, so it's easy to fit a .036 in the wrong place. Keep each string in its envelope until it goes on, and copy the layout of the old pair before you remove it.
Bajo sexto and bajo quinto
The bajo quinto has five courses, A D G C F, without the low E course. The shared courses are tuned the same way, so these steps work for both: on a quinto, simply start at the A course, where the octave pairs are A and D.
Whatever the bridge, the rule is the same: the loop must lock firmly before the string comes up to pitch. A loop sitting twisted or half on the top keeps slipping and drags the course out of tune for hours.
Tips
- Keep the old set until the new one is on: if a string breaks while you tune up, an old one gets you through the gig.
- Changing gauges? Compare first in the bajo sexto string tension calculator.
- With the new strings settled, check the octave at the 12th fret with the intonation checker.
Frequently asked questions
How do you string a bajo sexto?
One course at a time, starting with the low E. Lock the loop end at the bridge, wind 2 to 3 wraps on the heavy strings and 3 to 4 on the thin ones, tune each pair (octaves on E, A and D) and stretch the strings before the final tuning.
What are the bajo sexto tuning notes?
From the 6th course to the 1st: E1 + E2 (41.20 + 82.41 Hz), A1 + A2 (55.00 + 110.00 Hz), D2 + D3 (73.42 + 146.83 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz), C3 (130.81 Hz) and F3 (174.61 Hz), at A 440 Hz.
How do I restring a bajo quinto?
The same way, with five courses: A, D, G, C and F. Start with the A course and keep the octave pairs on A (A1 + A2) and D (D2 + D3).
How many strings does a bajo sexto have?
Twelve, in six pairs. The bajo quinto has ten, in five pairs.
Why does a new bajo sexto string keep going flat?
New wound strings stretch, and the loop keeps seating under tension for the first hours. Stretch each string gently at mid-length, retune two or three times and check again the next day.