5 string bass string on a 4 string.

[whitefuneral]

I was wondering what strings for a 5 string bass would sound on a 4 string, If you can give me the name of a good set, I also play in BEAD for my band.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

There are a few companies that sell sets for BEAD tuning. DR & Rotosound are well known.

They are exactly that, B E A D strings, no reason to pay extra for the G, but it also does not hurt to have a spare G string laying around

[panda bass]

I've done it, it worked fine! Just be careful you don't mess your nut up because of the different gauges! Also, EB super slinkies work great!

[mattbass6945]

this is my preference. i've not found a BEAD set, so i just toss the G. i know, i know.....what a waste. you can use the string itself to file out the nut so it sits correctly, just remember to file towards the inside otherwise, the nut is most likely to break off on the outside. and that would most definitely suck.....good luck man!

[knuckle_head]

I've got 6 different 4 string sets for this very purpose . . .

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by whitefuneral

I was wondering what strings for a 5 string bass would sound on a 4 string,...

I think they'd sound very much like the bottom four strings of a five-string bass. If you're currently de-tuning your EADG strings to get BEAD, they probably feel floppy -- getting "proper" gauges should tighten things up alot.

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

I've got 6 different 4 string sets for this very purpose . . .

I was about to suggest Circle K strings. I haven't used one of their low B strings yet (though I'll be trying a 6-string set soon), but I've put standard-tuning 4-string sets on two basses with good results. They especially livened up the Peavey Grind I put them on, sound-wise and feel-wise.

The thing that got me interested in trying them in the first place is that they offer "balanced tension" sets (all strings roughly the same tension, which is what I got) as well as traditional (G string tighter than E). You can read about that on their site.

The only other strings I've put any significant time on are DR Hi-Beams and Smith Slap Masters. I liked both of them but, again, have only tried EADG. DR does make a DDT (drop-down-tuning) set, but I've never tried it. Might be worth looking into if you're considering switching tunings a lot - they advertise them as being good for this, but I don't know what would make them more suited for that than other strings.

If you up the gauges significantly, you'll either need to file your nut or get a new one. I've seen one or two people on here use two nuts (not glued in) when switching tunings/strings, but you might be able to use your EADG strings in BEAD-size slots... not sure!

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

this is my preference. i've not found a BEAD set, so i just toss the G. i know, i know.....what a waste.

Donate your unused/unloved G-strings to a fellow bass player!

Erm... halfway through typing, I realized how that sounds. Still, waste not, and all that!

[Mirios]

It can be done. Like people have mentioned the nut may need to be modified or replaced. Another thing to remember is put a good setup on it. Different gauge strings will affect different basses differently but chances are high the setup will need modifications to get it back to playing how you like.
To answer the actual question asked, any 5 string set should sound on a 4 string bass if setup properly.

[whitefuneral]

Cheers for the help guys, what would be the best strings or bridge/action set up/something else simple so that the strings arnt as floppy because when I hammer on or pull of I get a terrible sound.

[knuckle_head]

Minimum .135 B as it matches up in tension to a .100 E - if you prefer a .105 for E look for a set with a .140 on bottom. Best way to avoid flop.

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by whitefuneral

Cheers for the help guys, what would be the best strings or bridge/action set up/something else simple so that the strings arnt as floppy because when I hammer on or pull of I get a terrible sound.

What strings/gauges are you using now? If it's a typical four-string set and you're dropping from E all the way down to B, you're going to be losing a LOT of tension. If your bass is set up for E, it won't be properly set up for B (when you tune your regular E down). Even if it is, unless you're playing an extraordinary instrument, it's not going to sound good with the strings that loose. Once the nut is properly filed (which I would do very carefully or take to a pro), you'll go about setting it up the same you would any other bass re. neck relief and action. See the stickies atop the Hardware and Setup forum.

A little way down this page is a link for a string gauge vs. tension chart from the Circle K site which you might find interesting.

[MNAirHead]

I use GHS tapes for this... or super steels.

[whitefuneral]

Originally Posted by MarkA

What strings/gauges are you using now? If it's a typical four-string set and you're dropping from E all the way down to B, you're going to be losing a LOT of tension. If your bass is set up for E, it won't be properly set up for B (when you tune your regular E down). Even if it is, unless you're playing an extraordinary instrument, it's not going to sound good with the strings that loose. Once the nut is properly filed (which I would do very carefully or take to a pro), you'll go about setting it up the same you would any other bass re. neck relief and action. See the stickies atop the Hardware and Setup forum.

A little way down this page is a link for a string gauge vs. tension chart from the Circle K site which you might find interesting.

My current string are the ones I got with my guitar, Cort Action A, so I'm hoping to change them.

The action is raised quite high because my neck warped a couple of months back :/

[armywalaby]

I just ordered some naked strings to try this, also wanted to step down on my regular 5er to see how it effects my playing. Michael Manring's low string on his hyperbass is what, a 105? He drops that down to B sometimes, so it must work. Doesn't sound too floppy over here.

‪Michael Manring "Helios"‬‏ - YouTube

[staindbass]

i did the same thing before i could afford a 5 string. worked fine. i used 65,85,105,130. any brand will do, ghs, rotosiund ect. i used a 130 because i tune down, if you tune normal, a 120 would work fine.

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by armywalaby

I just ordered some naked strings to try this, also wanted to step down on my regular 5er to see how it effects my playing. Michael Manring's low string on his hyperbass is what, a 105? He drops that down to B sometimes, so it must work. Doesn't sound too floppy over here.

‪Michael Manring "Helios"‬‏ - YouTube

That was crazy, in a good way. Probably doesn't hurt that he's playing a Zon Hyperbass!

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by whitefuneral

My current string are the ones I got with my guitar, Cort Action A, so I'm hoping to change them.

The action is raised quite high because my neck warped a couple of months back :/

Have you seen if there's anything you can do to address this? I can't see your bass, but I imagine that will be a hindrance no matter what strings you use.

[whitefuneral]

Originally Posted by MarkA

Have you seen if there's anything you can do to address this? I can't see your bass, but I imagine that will be a hindrance no matter what strings you use.

Ive tried raising my action and the helped a little but I can not pull off or hammer on well, I've herd that certain strings don't need to 'wind down' as much to get deeper sounds. I am looking for a set of those.

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by whitefuneral

Ive tried raising my action and the helped a little but I can not pull off or hammer on well, I've herd that certain strings don't need to 'wind down' as much to get deeper sounds. I am looking for a set of those.

I'm not sure what you mean by "wind down" but what I mean is that you need to see if there's something you can do to address the twist itself. I don't know how bad it is. Maybe it's something you can live with, maybe not. But you've said at least twice now that you like to hammer-on and pull-off and that it interferes with that. Putting on new, heavier strings is not likely to help with that. Depending on the relative tensions of the low/high strings, it could make it a little better or a little worse.

Take it to someone who fixes guitars. See if there's anything they can do for you. Also, if the twist is due to a manufacturing defect, maybe Cort can help you out under warranty, either with a new bass or a new neck. If not, maybe you can find a straight neck that will fit your bass, cheap (I've seen Squier necks for $25 on here).

Look, say the alignment on your car is way off -- it'll keep eating tires (wearing them out unevenly). You want to fix this before spending money on more tires, if you can.

Finally, you might not want to hear this, but ask yourself if this Cort is the right platform for drop down tuning. It might be a good instrument (I've read positive reviews of some models), and I might be reading too much into the "twist", but the one Cort I've ever had my hands on was a five string with hands-down the worst B-string I've ever heard (or felt). The neck was like a wet noodle -- it was a crime to put a B on it, when it might've done alright as a standard-tuned 4. I'm not against cheap instruments (my own fretless started off as a $95 used purchase), they just have to work.

If you can live with the twist -- or can live with it for now -- by all means get different strings and drop down. But if you can get it fixed or, barring that, find a more suitable instrument, better.

I just don't think you should have to fight your instrument when you play.

Good luck.
-Mark

P.S. Please tell your Cort no hard feelings, okay? No offense intended.

[whitefuneral]

Originally Posted by MarkA

I'm not sure what you mean by "wind down" but what I mean is that you need to see if there's something you can do to address the twist itself. I don't know how bad it is. Maybe it's something you can live with, maybe not. But you've said at least twice now that you like to hammer-on and pull-off and that it interferes with that. Putting on new, heavier strings is not likely to help with that. Depending on the relative tensions of the low/high strings, it could make it a little better or a little worse.

Take it to someone who fixes guitars. See if there's anything they can do for you. Also, if the twist is due to a manufacturing defect, maybe Cort can help you out under warranty, either with a new bass or a new neck. If not, maybe you can find a straight neck that will fit your bass, cheap (I've seen Squier necks for $25 on here).

Look, say the alignment on your car is way off -- it'll keep eating tires (wearing them out unevenly). You want to fix this before spending money on more tires, if you can.

Finally, you might not want to hear this, but ask yourself if this Cort is the right platform for drop down tuning. It might be a good instrument (I've read positive reviews of some models), and I might be reading too much into the "twist", but the one Cort I've ever had my hands on was a five string with hands-down the worst B-string I've ever heard (or felt). The neck was like a wet noodle -- it was a crime to put a B on it, when it might've done alright as a standard-tuned 4. I'm not against cheap instruments (my own fretless started off as a $95 used purchase), they just have to work.

If you can live with the twist -- or can live with it for now -- by all means get different strings and drop down. But if you can get it fixed or, barring that, find a more suitable instrument, better.

I just don't think you should have to fight your instrument when you play.

Good luck.
-Mark

P.S. Please tell your Cort no hard feelings, okay? No offense intended.

By wind down I mean tune down as is, decrease the tension in my strings to make the notes lower as in drop B.

Is there anyway that I can still tune down my strings to drop B or whatever that will reduce the lack of tension in my strings. I'm not sure if that can be done but if it can please tell + explain how it works.

This twist is a warp in the neck due to temperatures in my room were I keep my guitar, it is NOT a issue to do with how Cort made the guitars. Possible I might need need to buy a new next but I think the problem still lies in the tension in my strings.

Again, if there are any stings or special set up that will let me keep tension while still retaining that drop B tunning please let me know.

Tom.