Short scale strung BEAD ?

superfly · #1 05-02-2005, 01:57 PM

Anyone here ever setup and strung a shortscale bass to BEAD tuning? If so, how did it work out? What were the specifics? ( type of bass,strings, gauge, etc..)

xyllion · #2 05-02-2005, 11:55 PM

I've never done it, but if you do, I would go with fairly thick strings.

Sandman1278 · #3 05-03-2005, 12:52 AM

based on how the scales are longer on the B or thicker strings on fanned fret basses I would think that would be a bad idea to have a short scaled B string, save up ur peniies for a 5 if all u have is a short scale to attempt BEAD IMO

honestjohnny · #4 02-25-2008, 03:23 PM

I am thinking of setting my SX short-scale P up for BEAD tuning. Right now I have a .110-.050 set on and LaBella has a 5'er set that is .128-.041. I would naturally toss the high string. What I'm wondering is whether this would damage the structural integrity of the bass or not. I string through the body so long or standard scale length is no problem. Should I go with a heavier gauge? And yes, I am aware that tension will not be as tight as on a 35" bass. Thanks.

sizzle · #5 03-08-2008, 04:01 PM

i tried it last month. at first i just tuned down, it was ok but string tension was lacking. very inconsistant string to string and floppy....so i got a 5string set....the 130 B was too thick to wind properly and broke right away....my suggestion is to find the thickest and highest tension string for made a short or med scale 4.

knuckle_head · #6 03-09-2008, 11:46 AM

I did the math for someone that has a 30" scale bass and the gauge appropriate for the task turns out to be a F# string for a 34" scale instrument. The gauge appropriate for his E was .120 to .125.

While I haven't done the tension calculations for, say, a 32" scale bass I suspect that it would fall in the .160 range if you want reasonable tension on that B - this is only a guess on my part.