Tuning a 4 string BEAD

whisper14072 · #1 01-21-2010, 08:58 AM

Ok... I have a yamaha RBX170 I was going to tune down to BEAD. I used to have a five string and had issues with the string spacing... I like having the low B but can't afford what a 5'er would cost to get one with the wide neck and string spacing I would need... I have big hands..lol...

To make a long post short.... would I need to have the bass re-set up for this or can I just put the strings on and tune down??

Thanks

JPrinos · #2 01-21-2010, 09:29 AM

If you've initially set up your bass fir a standard tuning and go to BEAD, you might end up with more neck relief than before. The amount is really dependent on the neck. Depending on what you find, you might need to revisit the intonation as well.

Try it and leave the bass alone for a while (hours?) and see what the neck does.

Grissle · #3 01-21-2010, 12:55 PM

You'll need to widen the slots in the nut also

whisper14072 · #4 01-21-2010, 12:57 PM

ok thanks gang.... looks like I will prolly take it to my guy and have the set up done for it

Thanks again

DarkMazda · #5 01-21-2010, 01:03 PM

or purchase a wide 5 string with 19mm~20mm string spacing

whisper14072 · #6 01-21-2010, 01:05 PM

I would love to do that Dark...... don't have the cash... found one I loved... Fender Jazz spacing at the nut was 47 or 48mm... just perfect.... unfortunately I didn't have the $800 bucks to buy it...lol

MaddAnthony_59 · #7 01-29-2010, 05:57 AM

I'm considering doing the same thing. I just offloaded my 5er's and now I'm starting up a band that does a lot of D tunning stuff. (And for the record, yes I know about Dropped D tuning. Hate it!) I have an "Extra" Warwick Corvette FNA, and it needs a New Nut anyways. So I thought I'd give the B-E-A-D tuning a shot! Call it Son of Taranus! (It's Honey-Amber though!)

I have a set of .130 - .045 Slinkys. I'll set the .045 aside, "Adjust" the Just-A-Nut II as needed, and string this up! The action on this one is a Touch High, so it's probably pretty close for the looser strings. I'm counting on a Complete Setup being required, but I'm guessing this Beast comes out sounding pretty good!

I did something similar with a Peavey G-Bass. It worked Great. It was actually tuned to C# (Sabbath Tribute Project), and it was a 35" scale bass. So hopefully a 34" BEADed Warwick can handle Nickelback, Saliva, and the like!

I will update this on Monday...

Before:

whisper14072 · #8 01-29-2010, 08:08 AM

COOL!!!!! I await the results!!!

superjaay · #9 01-29-2010, 08:14 AM

The Squier Affinity Jazz V ($229.00), and the Sqiuer Deluxe V ($329.00), both have 19mm spacing and are affordable options. In addition GC has the 15% off thing going this weekend.

amosjones · #10 01-29-2010, 08:23 AM

I am using mine tuned to BEAD right now. I had a set of .125s so I put them on there and did the intonation and the Truss adjustment myself. Had to loosen the truss rod because of the lower tension on the strings.
I did it for the same reason, needed a low D but didn't have any cash. so I did all the work, and it sounds good.

MaddAnthony_59 · #11 01-31-2010, 08:34 AM

"Upgrade" went Flawlessly! All I had to do is change the strings. The .130 "B" sits in the Groove deep enough that I didn't have to file it wider, and the 1/4" action at the 12th fret was about perfect for this gauge string! I had to adjust the intonation on the "E" (2nd String!) string about a turn, but the rest are Spot On!

And the TON just came alive in this tonal range! Extra Bright!, But with DEEP NOTED AUTHORITY!!! Playing the Treble +3, Mid centered, and Bass +2. It's a Monster!!!

The "Extra FNA" just found it's Purpose in life...

whisper14072 · #12 01-31-2010, 02:31 PM

SWEET!!!!! gotta try mine now and see. What strings did you use?

Scamp73 · #13 01-31-2010, 06:55 PM

I did this on a P-Bass before I could afford to get a fiver. I purchased a P-Bass 5 string nut and simply intalled the nut and cut the g string part of the nut off. Then I ran the top 4 strings of a 5 string set. I did have to adjust the annotation slightly. This all worked perfectly.....

MaddAnthony_59 · #14 02-02-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper14072

SWEET!!!!! gotta try mine now and see. What strings did you use?

EB Slinky's, .130 - .045, er, .065!

whisper14072 · #15 02-02-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddAnthony_59

EB Slinky's, .130 - .045, er, .065!

COOL!!!!! I use EB's on my basses anyway

kencasino · #16 02-07-2010, 01:35 PM

I also found out that ESP LTD series basses have 19mm spacing on the 5-string models

I have played a Peavey TL-5 for a lot of years, and when I tried a nice Ibanez 5-string "Blue Moon", the narrow spacing drove me nuts. We switch off instruments 6 or 7 times in a gig due to the lead man needs a standard tuned guitar for his synthsizer and a d standard tuning for singing with (thats what happens when you get old guys)