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5 string set on 4 string bass?

#2
You may want to get a lighter gauge 5 string set to reduce neck tension. However chances are your nut is not going to accomidate the B string so you'll either have to get a replacement nut or carve out the top notch a bit (I did this with one of my old basses, carves out the top notch a bit with a pocket knife haha. It worked however then if I put a regular E string in it the string would pop off the nut)
 
#3
BEAD is actually less stress on the neck than EADG. The skinnier strings actually put more stress on the neck. This is counter-intuitive, most people would think the fatter the string the more stress on the neck. So if you string your bass BEAD then you will need to do a minor setup. And you will have to cut the string slots in the nut wider.

Also you might try a DGCF tuning.
 
#7
Ric5 said:
BEAD is actually less stress on the neck than EADG. The skinnier strings actually put more stress on the neck. This is counter-intuitive, most people would think the fatter the string the more stress on the neck. So if you string your bass BEAD then you will need to do a minor setup. And you will have to cut the string slots in the nut wider.

Also you might try a DGCF tuning.
Click to expand...

Well slap my ass and call me Sally I learn stuff on TB!
 
#8
Yes, the thunder of a five with the feel of a four. It's like cheating!

IMG_0804.jpg
 
#9
pablomigraine said:
See this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/drop-tunings-4-string-bass-correct-way-565784/
Click to expand...

Wow that is really a nice Thread! I hadn't seen that before!

One comment about tuning BEAD. I did that for a bit thinking that I didn't use the notes on the G string that much. Well, after I changed the tuning I found out that was wrong! And of course after you file the nut you can't "unfile" it! So I bought a new nut and put it back the way it was.

But I can see where DGCF tuning could be a nice compromise between lower notes and not loosing so many high notes! Plus you keep the same relationship between the strings so your scales and patterns don't change.

Personally I just went to a 5er.
 

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