Set-up 4 string with low B?

[forstreeng]

Has anyone set up a standard 4 string with a low B-A-D-G stringing? I haven't really thought this out yet, what would be the major complications? I was going to leave an older bass in drop D tuning, but why not just string with low b to go even lower?
mike

[steve21]

If you really wanna go low why not just do a BEAD? It'd be easier when trying to do scales and general working around the neck I'd imagine.

YMMV.

[Messiah25]

I did it once, On a Cort i had.
Came out really nice Used her mostly for reggae.
But one of the important things is make sure you got a 34 inch scale.
You can do it on 32 but then you'll have to re adjust the neck after a week or so. But it's cool.

P.S.
I'm talking about BEAD tuning, btw.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by forstreeng

Has anyone set up a standard 4 string with a low B-A-D-G stringing? I haven't really thought this out yet, what would be the major complications? I was going to leave an older bass in drop D tuning, but why not just string with low b to go even lower?
mike

You might have problems with twisting the neck. The G string tends to be the string with the most tension. Putting highish tension on one side and very low tension on the opposite might cause problems. The bigger the neck, the safer it would probably be.

Also, I think BADG would be *very* hard to play. To big of a gap between the B and A strings. Drop D is a nice compromise.

I have strung basses BEAD with no problems. And easy to play.

[The BurgerMeister]

i've wondered about this myself. i could get over the playability thang pretty easily, but i don't want to hurt my bass. i may be joining a band that tunes their guitars down a whole step, then the low D down again to C, yielding a C-G-C-F-A-D tuning... so i was looking into tuning a bass C-G-C-F. this would obviously call for custom gauges (probably .125 - .90 - .70 - .50, or something) and a set-up, but if done correctly, it shouldn't be to big an issue, right? i mean, the GHS Zakk Wylde set of 10s for guitar goes (high-to-low) .10 - .13 - .17 - .36 - .46 - .60, or something... so the "off-balance" string tension thing isnt' completely unheard of.....

but then i just figured i'll do something like C - E - A - D or C - F - Bb - Eb. or maybe just B - E - A - D and call it a day.

but yeah, if the set-up is done correctly, would something weird like C - G - C - F be detrimental to the health of my bass's neck?

[coolrunner989]

It wont be detrimental to your neck, unless your neck is made of paper. You wouldnt even need a setup if you can adjust your bridge at all - the thicker gauge strings will need to be raised up from the fretbaod to get rid of fret buzz.

I've had several tunings on my basses (standard, Eb, drop d, c-g-c-f) and have never had to adjust my neck for any problems. You also dont necesarily need custom strings for lower tunings, just thicker ones.

[The BurgerMeister]

right on, coolrunner! thanks for the input.