Could a B-E-A-D set up work?

[Ebilvampireboy]

Hello, I've been been playing four string bass for many years now, recently i've needed to borrow a 5 string bass for some band work i'm doing but I miss my ML, as i can't afford a 5 string at the moment....

So i was wondering if the B string designed for a 5 string bass: would it work if i put the B, E, A, D for a five string would they work on a four string body without snapping the neck of my bass?

[prd004]

Of course, this is a pretty popular tuning for people like you, those that want a low B but prefer a four string bass. You will need a setup though.

[cjmodulus]

This gets discussed frequently here. From what I've gathered, you'll need to widen the nut slots, adjust your intonation at the bridge and tweak your truss rod to compensate for the change in tension. So yes, it will work.

[JoshB8116]

Of course it would. Alot of TBers do exactly that. I currently have a 4 string that's set up .130 - .50 (or something very close). As long as you set it up right and the tension is right then there's no danger of damaging your bass.

However, you will probably have to modify the nut to accomodate the increase in string size so consider that before you commit to it. You don't want to be filing the **** out of your best bass now do you?

[Ebilvampireboy]

Cheers guys for the help =D

[Vintage Guy]

Just did a Fender "P" bass and used GHS medium light strings. No nut modification was needed. Just a neck adjustment and intonation.

[Bredian]

jsteez did one. Nut issues, but solved.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by Ebilvampireboy

So i was wondering if the B string designed for a 5 string bass: would it work if i put the B, E, A, D for a five string would they work on a four string body without snapping the neck of my bass?

I wouldn't worry about it snapping. There will actually be less tension on the neck when tuned BEAD.

[neptoon]

Originally Posted by Turock

I wouldn't worry about it snapping. There will actually be less tension on the neck when tuned BEAD.

+1

lots of folks tune this way...check peter steele (r.i.p.)...he has tuned like that since his carnivore days back in the '80's...

[Ric5]

Try DGCF tuning

[jabsys]

Originally Posted by Vintage Guy

Just did a Fender "P" bass and used GHS medium light strings. No nut modification was needed. Just a neck adjustment and intonation.

GHS ML3045 Boomers Medium Light Electric Bass Strings: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend these ones?

[carlthegroover]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Try DGCF tuning

Why? He would not have access to the low B that way.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

You most likley can get away with using a .120 as a B string if not wanting to do any nut modifications...

.060 .080 .100 .120 for a basic BEAT set...

If you want something more "Balanced"

.050 .070 .090 .120 *but this will be pretty light across all strings*

You should be able to get a .125 on there... .060 .080 .100 .125 and call it a day IMHO

.055 .075 .100 .125 a little more "balanced" option....



The Medium Light bass boomers referred to earlier are probably the 5 string set:
5ML-DYB - Long Medium Light: .045 .065 .080 .100 .126

[RH434]

I wanted to try it too so I had a nut cut for my Jazz and setup done to BEAD, but found that I wasn't using it enough to justify tying up the bass with a special tuning. So, I changed it back, but kept the nut and strings in a pack together just in case I decided to try it again.

Lately I find that I'm playing more songs that need the Drop D or the B and I'm not digging the tighter string spacing on my 5. So I'm thinking of selling it and going back to BEAD on the Jazz.

Probably the best answer for me is to buy a 5 with wider spacing, but it's not in the budget right now so I guess I'll have the Jazz set up again.

[soulman969]

Originally Posted by cjmodulus

This gets discussed frequently here. From what I've gathered, you'll need to widen the nut slots, adjust your intonation at the bridge and tweak your truss rod to compensate for the change in tension. So yes, it will work.

Yep, prepare to spend some time getting this to work. It won't be as simple as just slapping a B E A D set on your bass.

[Metal Mitch]

this question is soooo 20 years ago

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

.060 .080 .100 .120 for a basic BEAT set...

that would be my recommendation for C natural.

for BEAD with standard sets just go with 65 - 125 or 70 - 130.

[Derek Kiernan]

I would order a balanced tension set at the tension you prefer from the strings you have now from Circle K.