While the extended-range bass instruments are built using the same design methods as the more traditional electric bass, some performers view it as an entirely new instrument, since its expanded range permits high-register melodies, four- and five-note chords, and other techniques.
Usually, extended-range basses are tuned in 4ths, and the most common methods include tuning seven-string bass to F#BEADGC or BEADGCF, an eight-string to F#BEADGCF, a 9-string to F#BEADGCFB♭, a ten-string to C#F#BEADGCFB♭ or F#BEADGCFB♭Eb, an eleven-string to C#F#BEADGCFB♭E♭ or F#BEADGCFBbE♭A♭, and a twelve-string to C#F#BEADGCFB♭E♭A♭ or BEADGCFB♭EbA♭D♭G♭.