Custom Stringing

[Nenko]

Hello, what would happen if I tune my 4-string bass BEAD? I've been playing Baritone/Euphonium for 5 years, before switching to bass guitar two years ago. I got a band together around a year ago. I have a question about a custom way to restring my bass, since I don't want to have to retune from standard to a variety of drop-somethings after every song. I've been thinking to essentially take off the G string and shift all strings one slot lower and install a low B string, so I would be able to play everything without retuning. It would be tuned like the lowest 4 strings of a 5 string, BEAD. I currently don't have the money to buy a 5-or-more-string bass. My question is, would this custom stringing affect the playing in any way (pick-ups, bridge tension, tone)? This is my current axe.

http://static.musiciansfriend.com/de...loss_black.jpg

[Max Pratt]

It will work fine assuming your bridge and nut are compatible.

Basically, reslot the nut, but bear in mind once you do you will be unable to switch back to standard strings without a new nut.

[Ian_Flash]

Your would not be in the danger zone, since (for example) a typical 45/65/85/105/130 set, with each of these strings tuned to standard pitch on a 34" scale puts between 39lbs and 46 lbs PER STRING so your MAXIMUM total tension would be 180lbs. Not a problem. All you're doing is shifting each string DOWNWARD, but not increasing the tension on any string. You will probably have to widen the nut slots as Max said, and possible saddles and a truss rod adjustment since you may get a SLIGHT increase/decrease in overall tension... but overall I say GO FOR IT!!

[unclebass]

You can purchase prepackaged sets of BEAD strings. You will probably have to file your nut and will definitely have to do a setup, but worst case, you will have to replace the nut when you want to go back to EADG. I have been wanting to do this myself, and I need to replace the nut on my bass anyway, might give it a shot.