.45-.105 or .50-.105 gauge strings for BEAD tuning?

joeman583 · #1 01-30-2011, 03:57 PM

I am sure this question has been asked about a million times or so on talkbass but is there anyone who uses or would use a .45 -.105 or .50 -.105 gauge set of strings for BEAD tuning on a 4 string bass. I know a dumb question but thought I would ask.

Thanks

ajunea3 · #2 01-30-2011, 04:00 PM

Seems to me like the tension would be too low, and the strings would pretty floppy. Plus you'd need to adust the truss rod a whole lot.

John Wentzien · #3 01-30-2011, 04:01 PM

I would use heavy for that tuning.

bass_lord_mutha · #4 01-30-2011, 04:01 PM

Wow, that's waaaay too light a gauge to use, IMHO. I use .50-.110 for DGCF tuning. If I were you I'd use something like .65-.130 or at least .60-.125. But really it all comes down to how it feels to you, but if you use strings that are too light for tuning down, you have alot of intonation issues as the lack of proper tension will pull the strings sharp upon initial attack of the string, as well as ample fret buzz unless you raised the action considerably.

EDIT: You would also need to consider reslotting the nut to accomodate strings of that gauge as well.

Nev375 · #5 01-30-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeman583

I am sure this question has been asked about a million times or so on talkbass but is there anyone who uses or would use a .45 -.105 or .50 -.105 gauge set of strings for BEAD tuning on a 4 string bass. I know a dumb question but thought I would ask.

Thanks

it won't work. you need at least .125-.130 for the B.

Most people get a 5 string set and just not use the 1st string.

davelowell2 · #6 01-30-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nev375

Most people get a 5 string set and just not use the 1st string.

This is what I do.

knuckle_head · #7 01-30-2011, 06:02 PM

If you have a .105 for E the best match is a .140 to .142 for B - consistent timbre and tension

SGS · #8 02-01-2011, 08:57 AM

I have a 50-115 set of GHS Boomers and I'm strung BEAD. I let the local shop do the setup and when the guy tried to tune up the 115 he didn't even get to B and broke the cheap plastic nut on my Squier J. He cut me a bone nut slotted for the 115 so I got a free upgrade.

The low B is a little sloppy but not really too bad, definitely playable. I have a 5er that has a .130 for low B and you can obviously feel the difference going from bass to bass in the low B and E strings on both but its not enough to throw me off with fretting and plucking (the difference in string spacing throws me off more than the string tension differences).

Before having the J restrung I had it tuned down BEAD with a set of Ernie Ball super slinkies. B was horrible. It was sloppy all over the place and many times I fretted and slid right off the fretboard.

Get your nut reslotted or replace it and throw at least a .115 set on. Or do like I did and let your local shop break your nut and get one custom cut for free.

bass_lord_mutha · #9 02-01-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

If you have a .105 for E the best match is a .140 to .142 for B - consistent timbre and tension

This thread has ended, the master has spoken!!

**countbassiedad** · #10 01-02-2012, 09:04 AM

I use the first 4 low strings of a 5 string Daddario set on my J bass. I have experimented with BEAD on my Stingray which is strung with Ernie Ball Group I's (50 to 110). The E/B does ok but is not ideal. Obviously you have to loosen the truss rod and I also had to raise the E/B saddle a touch. I mention this only because it is a way to try BEAD without nut modification. No big deal to replace a Fender nut - tons of aftermarket ones available and they are easy to swap. But I don't want to mess with the stock nut on my Ray unless I switch to BEAD forever (which I am tempted to do sometimes). G strings are for underwear - not bass players.

Ric5 · #11 01-02-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeman583

I am sure this question has been asked about a million times or so on talkbass but is there anyone who uses or would use a .45 -.105 or .50 -.105 gauge set of strings for BEAD tuning on a 4 string bass. I know a dumb question but thought I would ask.

That won't work.

try .65 to .130

SGS · #12 01-03-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

If you have a .105 for E the best match is a .140 to .142 for B - consistent timbre and tension

That thick?

I'm running a .100 E and a .130 low B and it feels much better than when I had a .100 E and .125 low B.

Haven't tried a .105 low E yet.

ixlramp · #13 01-03-2012, 07:16 PM

This thread has been necrobumped and knuckle_head is not posting at the moment, but yes, a .140-.145 B has the same scientific tension as a .105 E, you can check that on the tension charts for Prosteels and XL nickels here: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

The scientific tension match for a .100 E is a .135 B, i suggest trying a flexible .135 with 3 layers of wrap wire, as 4 layers makes it too stiff.

Most sets have the B looser than the E, hence all the complaints about floppy B strings. knuckle_head's approach (Circle K Strings) is to keep the strings below E (B F# and C#) at the same tension as the E by using super-flexible larger gauges: .102 E .136 B .182 F# .244 C#.
CKS tension chart: http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf

Audiophage · #14 01-03-2012, 11:04 PM

I've used a .050-.105 set for tuning to CGCF on a Jazz Bass for some recordings once. They worked ok since I was in a very controlled environment, but honestly they're too floppy to work well live. Just get a 5 string set and throw out the G string.

tylerwylie · #15 01-04-2012, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiophage

I've used a .050-.105 set for tuning to CGCF on a Jazz Bass for some recordings once. They worked ok since I was in a very controlled environment, but honestly they're too floppy to work well live. Just get a 5 string set and throw out the G string.

For CGCF? Better off getting a 5 string set and throwing out the E string. I like .120 .85 .65 .45 for CGCF. Hi Beams. On a Jazz Bass. Mmm.

Sounds like this: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6689040/Tyle.../Vicarious.mp3

Audiophage · #16 01-05-2012, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

For CGCF? Better off getting a 5 string set and throwing out the E string. I like .120 .85 .65 .45 for CGCF. Hi Beams. On a Jazz Bass. Mmm.

Sounds like this: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6689040/Tyle.../Vicarious.mp3

Or actually not CGCF but CFBbEb. I actually managed, but I had to be really light with my touch. When I actually had to perform the material live I got a B string.