5 string bass strings on a 4 string

bobostein · #1 10-02-2010, 01:29 PM

I play standard 5 tuning on my 4 string and some times I cant play that great because how loose the strings are. Could I just use the bottom 4 strings from a 5 string set?

**lowendfriend** · #2 10-02-2010, 02:35 PM

yes...many folks do. You don't really use a G all that much. At least I don't.

BrickBatMansion · #3 10-02-2010, 02:37 PM

I do it every day.

RickenBoogie · #4 10-02-2010, 06:25 PM

Yes, try a lighter 5 string set, like using .125, ..105, .085, .065.

thetawaves · #5 10-02-2010, 06:30 PM

Yes indeedy, though make sure you've sorted the nut profile beforehand or else you could end up cracking it. You can buy some files from guitar-parts sites.

yeggi · #6 10-02-2010, 06:34 PM

+1 to filing the nut

#7 10-02-2010, 06:53 PM

darknecrotic · #8 10-13-2010, 07:15 AM

I hate to make a thread resurrect/steal but I figure it's better than making a new thread for one question.

If I were to put the last 4 strings of a 5 string set on my 4 stringer, is there anyway I could tune it to C standard, or would that ruin the neck? I play my guitars in C standard and would like to have a bass tuned to C standard..

Is this a bad idea like I assume it is? lol

Spas · #9 10-13-2010, 07:21 AM

I just strung my 4 stringer with the 4 bottom stings of a 5 string set yesterday. Just for the heck of it, and because the G on the 5 string set snapped on me.

I like it so far!

(and sorry for this post, didn't realize it was a "resurrected" thread)

Burlington · #10 10-13-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darknecrotic

I hate to make a thread resurrect/steal but I figure it's better than making a new thread for one question.

If I were to put the last 4 strings of a 5 string set on my 4 stringer, is there anyway I could tune it to C standard, or would that ruin the neck? I play my guitars in C standard and would like to have a bass tuned to C standard..

Is this a bad idea like I assume it is? lol

Choose a light set and you should be fine.

Ric5 · #11 10-13-2010, 07:41 AM

It is called BEAD tuning.

Also you should consider DGCF tuning.

Fuzzbass · #12 10-13-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spas

(and sorry for this post, didn't realize it was a "resurrected" thread)

No need to apologize! That's why the search function exists. Better to resurrect than be yelled at for not searching first.

darknecrotic · #13 10-13-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

Choose a light set and you should be fine.

Thank you very much.

95svtcobra · #14 10-13-2010, 09:24 AM

I did a bit of work on the nut and I swear I got nervous with every neck bend, but it since I do a lot of 1/2 step down stuff it sounded great and the tension on the strings felt great (until I didn't play that bass for a while and my hands lost a bit of conditioning)