Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
None that you want.
[QUOTE="What 4 string basses are good for converting to BEAD?
Few. Look for C shaped necks.
[QUOTE="What is your opinion on 35" scale being necessary for a good B string?
I like 35". But a 34" with a .130" B string can shine on the right instrument. Depends on what you want/do with it.
[QUOTE="Are there any other factors to consider?
Your sound. Piano bright? Reggae fat? Gospel scooped? Metal grind?
[QUOTE="Are you currently wearing socks?
I live in San Diego. I don't even close the windows til January.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
Oh, but the beam stiffness is going to bugger that up, especially for a B string. The zero amplititude point is some distance in from the nut and bridge, but that point is different for different harmonics. So it's like all your harmonics are seeing slightly different string lengths, and the thicker the string the worse it gets. That's why fat piano strings kinda go "clank" rather than "doom". The upper harmonics are all over the place. It's also why, if you hook up your bass to a sensitive tuner, the needle waves all over the place as various harmonics get their turn.
So - longer string means less deflection angle for the same deflection amplitude, less silliness in the upper harmonics. Telegraph pole guy wires, for example, have the most awesome coordinated harmonics. Totes worth checking it out.
OTOH, shorter string means less tension for the same pitch which gives you a more even power distribution in the lower harmonics, which is why light gauge strings sound smoother and more mellow.
So hard to know what to do...
...oh wait, I got it...I'll go play some bass.
Apparently George Lucas used a wrench on telephone pole guy wires to get the sound of the weapon fire in Star Wars.
What socks are the best for metal?
Also, you may have to widen the nut slots to use strings that are heavy enough for BEAD.
I cut mine out with a scalpal. It isn't clean, but it is cheap and effective.
Also, you may have to widen the nut slots to use strings that are heavy enough for BEAD.
I cut mine out with a scalpal. It isn't clean, but it is cheap and effective.
Last edited:
I was about to say that I use a LTD Tom Arraya that is 35" scale for that. It is basically an F with pentagrams. Maybe Schecter? Personally I think 35" scale is the right way to go for BEAD tunings so you can go light on the gauge.
The B strings on my 34 inch Ibanez 5'ers sound great..i don't go lighter than a .130. I've heard other people complain about them too, though..so technique is probably a heavy factor just like everything else having to do with bass playing. I'm not much of a plucker..more of a thumber, close to the neck. Also, I'm wearing yesterday's socks. I'll thumb other stuff too..lots of stuff. I wish I had more thumbs...I'd thumb even more stuff.
While we are having the conversation...
Dunlop Heavy Core Heaviest are 120-55, they say the can do B standard(I will be tuning to A#), anyone have any experience with the tension they provide when tuned that low on a 4 string? They are advertised as having larger cores so they have more tension, any downsides to this? Why don't other roundwound strings do it? any other recommendation for nickel string for BEAD?
And I have 2 pairs of socks on as it is cold tonight and I have rather chilled phalanges at a baseline anyway.
Dunlop Heavy Core Heaviest are 120-55, they say the can do B standard(I will be tuning to A#), anyone have any experience with the tension they provide when tuned that low on a 4 string? They are advertised as having larger cores so they have more tension, any downsides to this? Why don't other roundwound strings do it? any other recommendation for nickel string for BEAD?
And I have 2 pairs of socks on as it is cold tonight and I have rather chilled phalanges at a baseline anyway.
As I've always said: Tone is where you find it!
I presume now there will be great demand for boutique tonewood phone poles and guy wires. I hear Sears craftsman wrenches have the best energy beam weapon tone.
Matt Schultz said:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
So, there you have it. You need a 60" scale and 0.049 inch strings to tune it to.. whatever the hell the anti-tank guitar is tuned to.
Any of you guys not tuned BEAD play a lot of songs in Eb, or D?
Are you using a drop tuner or something on your E string?
Do ankle socks count?
Are you using a drop tuner or something on your E string?
Do ankle socks count?
Had my Peavey Patriot tuned BEAD with flats I found in the spares box.
Never found any benefit or handicap with 35" ( had no idea my Grind was 35" till asked )
Live in Scotland so sun cream is never used no matter the factor.
May tune the G bass BEAD and post how wonderful it sounds.
Currently wearing odd socks.
Never found any benefit or handicap with 35" ( had no idea my Grind was 35" till asked )
Live in Scotland so sun cream is never used no matter the factor.
May tune the G bass BEAD and post how wonderful it sounds.
Currently wearing odd socks.
Off from a different direction DGCF?
Gets those D notes but can still get that little but higher at the other end.
Gets those D notes but can still get that little but higher at the other end.
Dude, you had to ... like... do math and stuff for that response.
Like my math teacher said' "If you don't show your work, you only get partial credit."
I think he guessed at the answer.
