Tuning a 4 string

Akeo · #1 04-02-2007, 05:14 PM

Is it possible to tune my 4 stringer down to lets say, B-E-A-D? And if so, does it really makes sense to do and does it sound like crap? Man i'm kicking myself for not buying a 5 string in the first place. Thanks.

Sheep Man · #2 04-02-2007, 05:38 PM

If you get the right gauge strings, sure.
You'll probably need to make some neck/setup adjustments for the increased tension, as well, but it's not really that odd.

Man with an Axe · #3 04-02-2007, 05:41 PM

Doesn't Tim C do that in Rage Against the Machine?

BullHorn · #4 04-02-2007, 09:10 PM

BEAD is 5 half-steps under the standard, but it's possible. As it was said, just get a pack of 5 strings, and throw away the G string. Might need to adjust the trussrod and adjust the nut.

dragon6 · #5 04-03-2007, 01:30 AM

If you swap out the strings you have to file the nut for the bigger strings. Your choice. Try tuning you E string to a D that will give you a better sense of the basement tones.
On the last album I played on (metal and rock) I tuned my 6 string down a whole step to get that slamin basement bass.
The B string was a little floppy but it was what they wanted.

Sean S · #6 04-03-2007, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man with an Axe

Doesn't Tim C do that in Rage Against the Machine?

He used standard and dropped-d tuning with rage, BEAD with audioslave...

Akeo · #7 04-03-2007, 01:09 PM

Ok thanks everyone. I'm going to just tune down and see how it sounds. I might just have to wait for another 6 months or so and save up for a 5 string. Man i kick myself all the time for not buying a 5 string when i had the chance. Oh well. Thanks again.

Sean S · #8 04-03-2007, 01:19 PM

it's going to sound really floppy with regular gauge strings. Trust me, i've tried. You need a 5-string set and a neck setup for it to sound any decent.

moogboy · #9 04-03-2007, 01:26 PM

it has been done before. i think that Billy Sheehan had a double-neck with one neck tuned normal and the other tuned BEAD. ill see if i can find it right now.

Update: here is a link to a page on Billys website that talks about the bass www.billysheehan.com/gear/instruments_09.html

xaristotlex · #10 04-03-2007, 01:27 PM

I only use 4 stringed basses. I have more then one so its easy for me to simply keep them tuned differently. I set the action to meet the tuning as some of the lower ones do tend to be overly floppy. I use 105's on all my basses so resetting the action is important. I also pick and choose what bass will be in what tuning by its original action in EADG. The higher the original action the lower I take it.
My usual line up is....
87 Aria Pro II SB Elite II SRZ---E A D G
06 Schecter C4XXX------Eb Ab Db Gb
94 Washburn XB400------C G C F and D G C F
87 Fender Jazz Bass Special--Db Gb B E and B Gb B E

Yes its a pain in the ass to drag these around but only at the really big shows do I bother. Most often I take three or two.