BEAD stringing costs!

[Aharon]

So I dont use the higher registers and wanted to make room for some low end and tuned my bass BEAD. The nut has been filed and the hole at the bridge has been opened up to accomodate the new tuning, all I need now is some heavy duty strings to balance the tension.

5 string sets just dont cut the mustard for this tuning so I decided to get some Heavy guage pro steels and then buy a
.130 B string seperately. To my alarm, my restringing costs are now £10 more.

DR strings are so expensive over here or else I would consider a medium guage set of Lo Riders for 5 string.

I've got a gibson ripper that has a mouth to feed also. Oh dear oh dear!

[blendermassacre]

juststrings.com. You can buy separates.

[Rocky McD]

Why can't you use a 5 string set? Most 5's are BEAD on the top strings. It is cheaper than buying strings individually.

[Aharon]

Originally Posted by Rocky McD

Why can't you use a 5 string set? Most 5's are BEAD on the top strings. It is cheaper than buying strings individually.

Because I'm using a standard 34" 4 string bass that wasnt intended to be strung this way. Without the high G string, a lot of tension is lost on the neck. It is different to having a 5 string bass.

[Aharon]

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

juststrings.com. You can buy separates.

I'm sure I mentioned I was in england

[your idol]

yeah i tried to rock the same way on my active jazz with a string set of lo riders...needless to say i was SOL on a new set of 5s AND had to get a new 4 string set

[()smoke()]

i'm not getting why a 5-string set won't work either...

your D string should have very similar tension to a G when each is tuned to pitch respectively and the gauges are from a standard set...are you concerned that your low B doesn't have enough tension and your neck will twist?

[SquierBender]

Rotosound makes a set for BEAD called '' Drop Zone ''. The gauges are, 65, 80, 105, and 130. This should make getting BEAD easier.

[Aharon]

Originally Posted by SquierBender

Rotosound makes a set for BEAD called '' Drop Zone ''. The gauges are, 65, 80, 105, and 130. This should make getting BEAD easier.

At least somebody out there is doing it. Sadly, I find roto's to be just awful. They arent bright enough and they die too fast and you get some duds.


Tried a 5 string set and the bottom two strings suffer a lot. The low E was making way too much noise on the fretboard and thats coming from someone who likes a bit of rattle and clank!

I've ordered the heavy guage set of d'addarios .55-.110 and a seperate low B .130 Was tempted to go overboard and get a .145 low B but thought that it wouldnt be good for the nut or neck.

[RickenBoogie]

I use standard 5 string sets for my BEAD bass, with no ill effects at all. The tension may very well be different, but a quick adjustment of the truss rod(S) cures that in a heartbeat. My Ric 4004Cii has been set up as BEAD since last March, and I've had 3 sets of strings on it since then. Absolutely perfect intonation, no floppiness, and a solid performer. I don't get that statement either.

[higgi]

I use a five string set also. You replace a G string with a B string that has 10lbs less tension, just loosen your truss rod. The 5 string set is made for 34" and has the same gauges as a custom set should.

[Rocky McD]

I have used a 5 string set on a 4 tuned BEAD for years and have no problems. I still don't understand your thought on this?????

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

juststrings.com. You can buy separates.

Originally Posted by Aharon

I'm sure I mentioned I was in england

Nope, You didn't. As a matter of a fact Your profile is completely blank as well.
It'd be a whole lot easier for people to offer useful opinions if the gear was known to them. Without having to milk for them .

AFAIK, Juststrings ships to Europe as well.

As for BEAD sets, there's seveal available. Skull Strings for example offer one.

A BEAD set isn't too much cheaper than a similar 5er set though, so most of the times the 5er set is really the better answer. For most of us anyway.

Cheapo 5er sets are dirt cheap in Thomann (£6,26 and up) (http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_bent...s_5_string.htm) and the quality ones aren't that much more expensive either. OTOH, at least over here, the hole in the wall music shops are willing to match the online prices if You give them a chance. I always prefer shopping locally if it's possible and feasible.

Your string tension/relief problem doesn't make sense though. Unless You're talking about a super flexible Ibanez neck, there shouldn't be any significant change in the relief when going BEAD. And if there was, a quarter turn of the truss rod should compensate for it. I should know as I have an old SR500 (AFAIK) converted to a BEAD.

Regards
Sam

[SwamiRob]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Nope, You didn't.

I could tell the Englishness half way through his post without needing to be told, bet your from the South though

Some string manufacturers will send out custom sets to shops, it's worth checking with your local shops to see what you might have available to you.

As RickenBoogie mentioned however the truss rod can have a large impact on tension, if you loosen it up a tad you'll notice an increase.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by Aharon

I've ordered the heavy guage set of d'addarios .55-.110 and a seperate low B .130 Was tempted to go overboard and get a .145 low B but thought that it wouldnt be good for the nut or neck.

FWIW - a few good pairings; .096 E and .130 B, .110 E and .136 B, .106 E and .142 B, .112 E and .150 B (or there-abouts).

EDIT - I SOOO mis-typed. A good pairing for the .136 B is a .100 E

[GrindYourMind]

Try paying for BEADGCF.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by GrindYourMind

Try paying for BEADGCF.

Try going to F#

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by Rocky McD

I have used a 5 string set on a 4 tuned BEAD for years and have no problems. I still don't understand your thought on this?????

Ditto here.. have done it for years..

Unforotunately there's a ton of erroneous info out there.

[cassius987]

I buy singles 55-75-100-130 to tune BEAD.

[pete r]

You think,you have problems. Try to find stings for tuning in 5ths.(C G D A) DR will custom wined strings but you have to go through a DR dealer for pricing.