A question about B strings, sort of

[GunnarLee]

So I am a fairly new bass player, and I took my '71 P Bass to a local shop of ours to get fixed up since it had been sitting around since about 1976. I explained to him that I often tuned low and the strings were pretty loose. His solution was to put the top four strings from a set of five string strings on it, which he did. This seemed a little off beat and unusual so I've been looking around to see if it's a common thing and I haven't found much. He told me I could tune my top string right back up to E if I wanted, no problem. But I feel like that would be quite tight and I'm just not sure if that's alright. Can I tune my B string to E, and for that matter, is this bad for my bass? Thank you

[TylerE]

Sounds kinda fishy. Generally tuning up above design pitch it either gonna break the string or your neck. Not too bad if you're only going up a half step or two, but a whole Forth? Might work, but I would absolutely not to it to an instrument of that vintage.

[conqr]

Personally, I'd just use a heavy gauge 4 string set and tune down or back up as desired. What you've described him having said frankly makes no sense to me.

[Atticus]

I've heard of tuning to BEAD. I think Paul Grey did it. However, you'll need a different nut for it, and I don't think it's a good idea to use those strings for standard tuning.

I'd also advise going somewhere else for your setups.

[Jim Carr]

Putting heavy tension on a '71 P-bass neck---well, it just makes me want to weep.

Your neck will be toast before long, but hey, a good '71 P-bass neck will only cost about $750.

N.B., I am not selling a neck.

[GunnarLee]

What course of action do you advise, Dr. Carr?

Also, thank you for the thoughts guys, that's sort of how I figured it was going to be, it didn't seem right.

[Jim Carr]

Exactly what tunings are you using?

[FunkMetalBass]

I'd use a light 5-string set, with a .120 or .125 on the bottom, but it all depends on what you usually tune to.

[GunnarLee]

I've been tuned C F B♭ E♭ since then.

[Jim Carr]

Ok. What gauge and brand/model are the strings?

[knuckle_head]

Look for a set that is close to this;

.124 .092 .068 .052 (or .049)

They'll have 'normal' tension, won't do your neck any harm and play evenly from one string to the next.

[GunnarLee]

I have no idea to be honest, sorry.

[fretlessguy]

If I had a neck that old I'd use a Fender 7250 5 string light set (.40-.115) that would put less tension on the neck. Chances are he also modified your nut to use the strings. In no way do you need to tighten the tuning back up to EADG with those heavy gauge strings. It would be best with a classic that old to just leave it in standard tuning and drop the E down to D when needed. Or better yet, just buy a 5 string and be done with it.

[marie25]

Try to look for another one.







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[Skitch it!]

As above, get a heavier set in standard tuning and just detune the E to a D and revamp your fingering, it's only a minor third away from a low B and some stuff is just easier to play with a detuned E?

[Plays_For_Dog]

Did you get your bass set up at a Guitar Center by chance?... Go with heavier gauged E-G strings and tune them down. Did he file your nut to accomidate the fatter B? I hope not.