4 string - strung b-e-a-d

[xacharias]

i have two 4 string basses that i dont use very much. a stingray and a fretless jazz bass. i was thinking of stinging them with the bottom 4 strings of a 5 string. b-e-a-d. ive heard a couple people talk about this but i dont know how common it is. im assuming the different tension would throw off the neck balance. would this be bad for the neck? if i just straightened out the neck would it be fine.

[fretlessman71]

Shouldn't change too much, but yeah, you'll need to have the bass setup all over again... plus you'll have to carve out enough space in the nutslot for each string (or better yet, have a pro build you a new nut).

[BloozBass]

I did it with an old Peavey Foundation I had, and it worked like a champ. I didn't want to invest much in strings for a trial, so I bought a set of the MF roundwounds for 10 bux, and had at it. You will probably, however, have to enlarge the bridge hole for the B string, as well as file most if not all of the nut slots a little wider. It didn't cause any undue strain to the neck. I don't even think I had to make a truss rod adjustment, but it's been a few years so I don't remember for sure. It was my entry to buying a 5 string - I had never owned one before, but it gave me the urge to learn to play it. As always, YMMV. Good luck!

Blooz

[xacharias]

thanks for the replies. can i get the right type of file for the nut at, say, home depot or a place like that?

[JLS]

Originally Posted by xacharias

i have two 4 string basses that i dont use very much. a stingray and a fretless jazz bass. i was thinking of stinging them with the bottom 4 strings of a 5 string. b-e-a-d. ive heard a couple people talk about this but i dont know how common it is. im assuming the different tension would throw off the neck balance. would this be bad for the neck? if i just straightened out the neck would it be fine.

My fretless is BEAD. There's less tension on the neck in this tuning.

Unless you are confident that you can re-setup your bass, I'd suggest taking it to someone who is, and can. This will be a full setup, considering the slots need to be refiled, the neck readjusted, intonation reset. There *MAY* be an issue with the B intonation--sometimes there's not enough available adjustment with the former E saddle.

It's a very usable tuning, hope it works out for you.

[BloozBass]

Originally Posted by xacharias

thanks for the replies. can i get the right type of file for the nut at, say, home depot or a place like that?

Yes, indeed. I bought a set of small files from Lowe's specifically for instrument repair use. There's a small round, small flat, small triangular, and a couple others I don't remember right now. I'm sure HD has the same set as Lowe's - probably just a different brand.

BTW, intonation on my B string was perfect, although I really did have to pull the saddle all the way back. As always, YMMV.

Blooz

[WarriorJoe7]

hmmm i bet the home depot files were less expensive. I know I am asking too much but can you show me which file set you got from them? Either link or actual pictures.