Low-stringing on a "34 4-stringer

[Stupid Jerk]

I'm trying to find a 4-stringer that fits my small hands. I prefer "35 becaue I like to low string it... but I'm having no luck, other than offerings by Ibanez. All my basses are Ibanez and I want to try another brand.

I often hear that if it's "34 and if it's a 5-stringer or low-strung (B-E-A-D) or de-tuned 4-stringer, that the B-string will be all floppy like a bungee cord.

I know they make 5-stringers in "34 but I've never used one. My only five stringer is the Ibanez Gary Willis fretless, which is "35.

How do you make sure you've got enough tension for the B-string to be tense enough on a 5-stringer or on a low-strung four stringer, if it's just a "34 scale neck?

[Roland777]

No problem. Just make sure to use thick strings. I wouldn't go below .130 for the B at 34".... I'd prefer a .135. I thought it wouldn't be possible with regular stock-offered strings to get a nice and tight A-tuning on my 35" BTB555, but I just upped the gauges royally on the bass strings and the problem was solved. Used a 50-110-set with an added .145.

[Dincrest]

Ken Smith strings makes a wide variety of B gauges. I believe there is a .145 B string in their Metal Masters set.

The ESP F-series has a 35" scale 4-banger tuned BEAD. However, the aesthetics of that bass scream metal.

I also believe there is a new Spector Euro 35" scale 4-string. Spectors are awesome basses.

[TheEmptyCell]

I dunno what model year your Willis is, but the only ones currently on the Ibanez website are 34".

[velocraig]

Peavey Cirrus' are 35" scale in the 4 string models....

[Stupid Jerk]

Thanks guys! Fat strings it is.

Also, I'm thinking about building a Warmoth G4. Would it help to get the 13 degree angled peghead option? Now, if it turns out the neck (based on '62 J-bass, from what I understand) is slim enough for my hands, I'm totally down.

I bought my Willis new in... uhhhhhhhh... gosh... must've been, like... *scratches head* I'd have to say back in October or November of 2003. It's the black basswood model.

[TheEmptyCell]

The Willis is 34" scale. Measure the distance from the nut to the 12th fret... if it's 17", then your bass is 34" scale.

The angled peghead won't make any difference. The woods you choose, however, will, as well as the overall construction.

[Stupid Jerk]

If I go with Warmoth (the G4 is what I'm looking at) it'd be a maple neck, rosewood or ebony fretboard, and an alder body. They only do bolt-on necks, of course. They make real good parts, from what I hear tell.

[panazza]

I play a 34' scale blt on spector tuned BEAD... sounds great, low B tight and punchy.

oh, I use it for metal, so when I say "sounds great" I mean no boomy, thumpy low B.... I mean the low B just hammers!

[Stupid Jerk]

What about tuning it flat?

My guitarist (me, actually!) tunes flat and it's a pain in the butt not to do likewise.

Tuning flat in this case being Bb-Eb-Ab-Db. Would I have to go with the huge massive thick Metal Master type strings to accomplish this on a "34?

By the way, a sales rep from Warmoth e-mailed me back who said as much as the rest of you, and also said that the neck should be okay for my small hands. Although I'd have to get a local guy to cut/install the nut because they can't set up their machine to do B-E-A-D.

One last question, although it may be a dumb one and I could totally find out for myself by unearthing a discarded set of 5-strings (I never throw away bass strings... might need them for an art project or something) and seeing what happens on my 4-stringer.

Anyways: will there or will there not be any trouble putting B-E-A-D strings on a bridge that's presumably meant for E-A-D-G? I have this nightmare scenario of having to pay a tech hundreds of dollars to bore out the holes and file out the saddles with lasers or something... on a 70 dollar bridge.

[chaosMK]

I've done it before. A long time ago, the 5 string I had at the time got stolen, so I borrowed a pretty ghetto 4 string (maybe a Squier, or something worse) and slung on BEAD strings. The strings fit fine. I had to adjust the neck a little. I didnt notice any major problems with the tension.

In a worst case scenario, if you dont mind permanently altering your bass, it might not be too hard to file the saddle/nut down with the right file.

[Stupid Jerk]

On a guitar you usually have to file the nut a bit if you want to use .13-.56 gauge, which are big massive jazz strings that Stevie Ray Vaughn used as part of the secret for his famous tone (along with a multiple rig). Basically the same gauge as you'd find on a baritone guitar. (SRV tuned flat because the tension would've been too much otherwise, and he usually kept a spare guitar strung with .11s if his fingers got tired.) I figured it might be the same deal for B-E-A-D. I like to use .13s for guitar.

[Paulhauser]

I have a old Spector Euro 5 string that has 34" scale. It is strung w/D'Addario nickels with the low B being 0.125, and it has a very clear, articulated sound, without floppiness.
I recently tuned the bass first half step down, and the strings were still good, tight and all. Now I detuned again one half step lower, to A, and now I'm thinking of putting on a 0.130 set, because the low A now sounding a bit boomy. Still not really flopping that much though.
But still I'm very suprised how this super light gauge set is doing on a 5 sting 34" scale bass, considering the detuning.

And I have 35" 5 string bass that is much floppier with a .130 set. I dont get it really...

[Stupid Jerk]

Originally Posted by Paulhauser

But still I'm very suprised how this super light gauge set is doing on a 5 sting 34" scale bass, considering the detuning.

And I have 35" 5 string bass that is much floppier with a .130 set. I dont get it really...

Ah... whatever I do, I'll have a tech do it for me!

[saxnbass]

I have a 4-string tuned F# B E A

Doesn't sound the greatest, but it does fine. Maybe it's sounds normal for those low frequencies.

Edit: That's low to high, btw. Just to make sure. It's like what OP wants to do but even one string lower.

[Mixoux]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

I have a 4-string tuned F# B E A

Doesn't sound the greatest, but it does fine. Maybe it's sounds normal for those low frequencies.

F#..? Seems a bit too much for me. G itself is pretty uncommon and considered the limit for most players that I've met.

[Stupid Jerk]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

I have a 4-string tuned F# B E A

Doesn't sound the greatest, but it does fine. Maybe it's sounds normal for those low frequencies.

Edit: That's low to high, btw. Just to make sure. It's like what OP wants to do but even one string lower.

Holy crap!!! I remember reading an interview with Bill "The Buddha" Dickens and he mentioned that one of his buddies had done that with a J-bass. That's the only other time I'd ever heard of such a thing being done!

So you have to buy a 7-string pack and toss out the other three?

[saxnbass]

Originally Posted by Stupid Jerk

Holy crap!!! I remember reading an interview with Bill "The Buddha" Dickens and he mentioned that one of his buddies had done that with a J-bass. That's the only other time I'd ever heard of such a thing being done!

So you have to buy a 7-string pack and toss out the other three?

Nope, buy single strings.

[spudmaster34]

I have a squier that I modded for BEAD, it is 34"

[Stupid Jerk]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Nope, buy single strings.

Where? I didn't know ya could!