E-A-D-G or B-E-A-D ?

Tedintheshed · #1 08-01-2006, 08:23 PM

Greetings fellow bottom denizens. I have a bit of a situation. Legitimate opinions and views would be apeciated

I'm 38 and play in a hard rock/metal cover band. I love the music, but this isn't the 80's and many players use a 5 string now as you all well know. We are covering tunes my bands such as Mudvayne and Slipknot that routinely make it difficult if almost impossible to play on a four string. I can't really afford a second bass at this time and I don't really know if I want one (I play an Acacia Custom 4 that I've named "The One", so I hope the reason is now obvious). So, if I change the set up of my Acacia to B-E-A-D I'll be able to cover these BUT if I do this it makes other tunes hard to play (Tool and a few others).

Does anyone have experience with a decision such as this? Did yoiu regret making the change?

ImaStupidBaby · #2 08-01-2006, 08:39 PM

My only guess would be to tune BEAD and then use a capo on the fifth fret.

bass_player16 · #3 08-01-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImaStupidBaby

My only guess would be to tune BEAD and then use a capo on the fifth fret.

That seems like it would work...at least it makes sense to me.

Jared

vashts80 · #4 08-01-2006, 09:21 PM

I have my four string setup like this

highest action possible on all strings
.130-.85-.65-.45

I normally have it tuned BEAD or A#D#G#C#, but on the rare occasion I need to use drop D, I tune it CADG and just play from the 2nd fret of the C and on. No truss rod adjustments, no nut adjustments, no bridge adjustments at all except the higher action. I did have to reintonate it a little bit, but it wasn't anything substantial.

tplyons · #5 08-01-2006, 10:53 PM

Get another bass for standard tuning and tune the other BEAD.

v-12 · #6 08-01-2006, 11:02 PM

you can get an sx 5'er for ~$150 shipped, new- I was never able to get into the idea of no G string on songs that require a B.....

SundanceChile · #7 08-01-2006, 11:05 PM

I was in a similar situation for a Ska/Punk band a while back. B-E-A-D all the way.

morf · #8 08-02-2006, 03:10 AM

Wouldnt tuning to BEAD make the B string too loose to play without it buzzing?

**Kelly Lee** · #9 08-02-2006, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Get another bass for standard tuning and tune the other BEAD.

That, IMO, is the only real solution.

I understand your problem Tedintheshed. Unfortunately if you are playing such a wide variety of tunings you need two or more basses.

TheDarkReaver · #10 08-02-2006, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Wouldnt tuning to BEAD make the B string too loose to play without it buzzing?

it does click a bit sometimes but it's not as loose as you'ld think.

morf · #11 08-02-2006, 05:19 AM

I'll have to try that someday

dlloyd · #12 08-02-2006, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Wouldnt tuning to BEAD make the B string too loose to play without it buzzing?

He'll be changing his strings for the lower four of a five strings set.

morf · #13 08-02-2006, 05:35 AM

I see, good to know, thanks

TheDarkReaver · #14 08-02-2006, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlloyd

He'll be changing his strings for the lower four of a five strings set.

i tried that but it's impossible unless you file the nut out.

Kickin'Fruit · #15 08-02-2006, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

That, IMO, is the only real solution.

I understand your problem Tedintheshed. Unfortunately if you are playing such a wide variety of tunings you need two or more basses.

Or you could just get a 5'er right? I mean if you want BEADG?

**Kelly Lee** · #16 08-02-2006, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickin'Fruit

Or you could just get a 5'er right? I mean if you want BEADG?

Yea, that is why I said he needs more than one. He has one 4 string bass and that is all he wants to use. I don't think he is willing to give up his Acacia Custom 4 that he has named "The One".

D.E.C. · #17 08-02-2006, 07:57 AM

Why not get a hipshot? You can then secondarily tune your E to whatever you want, and then with a flick of your thumb you're there. I keep mine in D, but I believe you can tune it to whatever you want. Go to hipshotproducts.com and check it out.

leftyforlife · #18 08-02-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Wouldnt tuning to BEAD make the B string too loose to play without it buzzing?

thats what happens to me, i frequently tune to CGCF and thats the lowest i can go with alot of buzz.

labgnat · #19 08-02-2006, 09:21 AM

yeah tuning any lower than C with an E string is gonna be horrible. but he's talking about using an actual B string you'd get out of a 5 string set, and i've never had to file a nut when putting a B string, but it all depends on the nut you have, just gotta try and see

TheDarkReaver · #20 08-02-2006, 09:29 AM

well when i tried the b string wouldn't fit in my bridge properly nor sit in nut.