Stringing a Bass up BEAD!

[Vintage Guy]

I have decided to string my Ric up BEAD before I try to convert it to a 5 string. I have done several conversions on Fender bass's that have worked out great. My question is what type of strings will work best on the Ric,and what should I do for a new nut? Has anyone done this to their Ric yet?

[darkstorm]

Id try the five string version B-D strings of the brand etc you like best now for your Ric. A good luthier may well be able to widen the current nut slots a little where needed instead of replacing the nut.

[slaphappychappy]

my brother has his bass like that. but he just stuck with BEAD and reckons that he doesnt need the g string and plays further up the neck if he needs higher notes. But he has always been of the opinion that Bass is exactly that.... BASS.

[john grey]

Many issues with converting a new nut appear to form around the support cut. Ideally the nut must not be cut as a deep "holding" nut pattern, but an open "supporting" pattern. By that I mean that the cuts should wedge and not form a "U" shape for the string. This also allows the nut to support many different sizes of string, where a "U" cut is limiting as to size upward.

When starting, make your radius shape and length cuts first and (ideally) have string examples (not only sizes) available. Bring the angle of the BACK of the nut (the side the tuners are on; not the fret-board); this will allow the string to drop sharper whether or not a string tree is available. Angle the tuner side to less than 45 degrees; just a slope, leave plenty of material for support. Do not angle the fret side of the nut to any deep degree, just remove the edge. Buff the corners and place within the nut slot. Make TWO marking cuts for each string so as to measure between them for your spacing. Continue as usual.

Use a 120 to start for a "B". It's small enough to sound without serious flopping. There IS an issue of how much tension a 4 string can provide for. Keeping the string at 120 to begin is a safe way to start. 130 may simply be to thick without it being way high off the board (but it might work...start slow). The angle cut method of designing a nut described above is "flexible" to many differing sizes of string. A "U" shape is very limiting.

[Vintage Guy]

Thanks for the concise info John. I plan on removing the existing nut so it can be reused later should I go back to standard strings. The plan is to get a new blank nut and having it cut for the new BEAD strings. I plan on using medium light GHS Bass Boomer strings. Have these on a couple of my 5 string bass's now,and like them alot. I still may do the 5 string conversion later if I dont like the BEAD set up.

[john grey]

When you go to the store find a package of strings like Di'Addario* and look on the back.
On the back they have the string sizes and the poundage that it pulls in tune. With this info you can make informed decisions as to size to keep your neck on a consistent pressure level and if less than 110 will flop around too much. (PLUS when looking at a 5 string package determine size what will pull at a "B" tuning).

* I KNOW that particular company prints tuning weights: I don't know what others do but it will put you in the vicinity regardless of what you buy, for a size vs weight comparison.

Best of luck.