Tuning B-E-A-D to E-A-D-G

[Derek_L]

So I have a set of B-E-A-D strings on right now, will I do any permanent damage if I tune the same strings to E-A-D-G?
I just like the tone and feel of really thick strings.

Cheers and sorry if this has been asked before, can't find an answer anywhere.

[fuNKmaster83]

adjusting and setup will be requierd!!! the truss rod might not take the tension?! it would be better if you could find a manufacturer that custom windes the strings (pyramid)

[BobOnBass]

Can't really help you out but I wouldn't dare doing that myself. That's a lot of tension tuning it up that far man!! Can't be good!!

What you really want to know is which brand/string has how much tension. I play BEAD myself and did some searching some years back to find out which brand made a B string with a good strong tension but I have never found a really satisfying answer. I'm happy with DR right now but I found that out through trial and error. The expensive way so to speak.... That is one of the rare things I envy guitarists for, string prices! What i would love is a chart with all the brands and all the strings with data on size and tension.

Anyway, this doesn't help you but i'm sure following this thread and hope something comes up!

Cheers, Bob.

[lowfreqtweak]

Originally Posted by fuNKmaster83

if you hve modified the nut to fit BEAD then the standard EADG might be too loose at the nut and ratle or dance around... in worst case you are going to have to change the nut... reseting the whole thing will be requierd!!!

I don't think that's what he's asking, but rather tuning those fat strings up .
Haven't tried so I can't say it would damage the bass for sure but I'd keep in mind that by tuning up 5 semi tones on each string you are adding A LOT of pressure to your neck and truss rod. If I were going to do it I'd probably replace the truss rod with a beefier one that can handle that much pressure.

[idoru]

Dude, I'm totally crushed you didn't ask on OzBass

D'Addario have a chart which shows you the tension of any given gauge of their strings at a given pitch - just check it out on their website.

Look at the tension of a standard .045 - .105 EADG set at normal pitch, make a note of the total tension. Then move across the chart to find each strings tension when it's tuned up a fourth. Do the same thing with a suitable B string, and add up the total tension. The ask yourself if you really want to subject your bass to that amount of tension...

Of course, that's only for D'Addario strings, but it will show you the relative differences, which you can use as a guideline.

c-

(award for most repetition in a single post?)

[Nick Kay]

Yes, you most definitely will. Either a string will snap, the nut will crack, a tuner will buckle, or the truss rod will pop. None of these are good situations to be in. Think long and hard about what costs more between a truss rod replacement and a capo on the 5th fret.

[Darkstrike]

I've done it, in fact I have a bass with this exact setup now, I didn't use a heavy fiver set, a 120, maybe 125 B, but its no problem, in fact the bass had Steve Harris Rotosound Flatwound strings on it before, and the tension is the same, if not lighter.

[Derek_L]

Thanks for the replys, seems a bit risky so I might not do it haha

Originally Posted by idoru

Dude, I'm totally crushed you didn't ask on OzBass

Only reason I didn't post there was because my firefox has this "connection interrupted" problem that comes up for some sites every now and then and I couldn't be arsed switching to IE .