B-E-A-D on a P or . . . ?

[Xanderzb]

BEAD 4 was the best musical decision I ever made - after buying a set of 5-string flatwounds and leaving out the G.

I had to widen the nut slots, and re-mount the bridge about 5/16" lower because the adjusters would go down far enough for the intonation to work.

It was absolutely worth the effort.

This was all done on some Dean Playmate, though, worth like $200 or so. I don't know if I'd have been so bold with a P-Bass.

 

[Eilif]

Ah, see, I don't like what 35" scale does to the other strings. Makes the A and D (and G, on five strings) too zingy.

Interesting. I don't change strings often, but I've got Stainless on my Carlo and it isn't too zingy. On the other hand, the Lakland/Hanson pre and Pups pretty much let me dial in (or out) whatever I want.

My other 35" 4 string is a Fretless Cedar-bodied Wendler with wood bridge and nut so zing isn't exactly a problem.

I'm slowly moving toward having more of my basses being P-width 35" 4 strings and anything I buy in the future will probably be such. That said, my P-bass, T-40 and Artcore will remain 34" EADG instruments as they just seem to feel and sound right in their standard configuration.

 

[howlin]

I have a bass with BEAD tuning. IMO you need a bridge pickup to get good definition out of the low notes. I wouldn't use a P for it.

This is my main concern as I've heard this more than once when investigating re-stringing for B-E-A-D tuning on a P.

One reason I started thinking about it again was an interview [@4:30] with Hugh McDonald talking about his Sadowsky P/J 5'er. At some point he realized that he didn't need the J pickup so he leaves it turned off. That's only time I've ever heard someone coming to that conclusion. The Nordstrand pickups could have something to do with it as well. Plus it's an active bass, but, who knows?

 

[Korladis]

Interesting. I don't change strings often, but I've got Stainless on my Carlo and it isn't too zingy. On the other hand, the Lakland/Hanson pre and Pups pretty much let me dial in (or out) whatever I want.

My other 35" 4 string is a Fretless Cedar-bodied Wendler with wood bridge and nut so zing isn't exactly a problem.

I'm slowly moving toward having more of my basses being P-width 35" 4 strings and anything I buy in the future will probably be such. That said, my P-bass, T-40 and Artcore will remain 34" EADG instruments as they just seem to feel and sound right in their standard configuration.

I also haven't liked the feel of any 35" scale bass that I've tried. Besides the sound, it makes the high strings way too stiff (on EADG tuned basses I use 100 gauge sets, so slightly lighter than standard), and the reach is too far. Additionally, the vast majority of them are active, which I'm not a fan of.

 

[NecroticImbecil]

I strung a BC Rich Platinum (ie junk) series Warlock ADGC after I was forced to sell my 5 string. Didn't have to mod the nut, it served well enough. Rather than fight the loose rattly strings I embraced my inner Fieldy and scooped the heck out of it. Give it a shot. There are plenty of 34" 5 strings with great B strings.

 

[Nephilymbass]

It could just be the change of seasons but I've been seriously thinking of converting my P bass to a B-E-A-D tuning. Yes, I could just get a 5-string but my experiences haven't been all that rewarding due to weight and other concerns. Thing of it is my P has been out of action lately and on an occasion or two I've been asked of my other bass will go lower.

So, I'm wondering if anyone out there in TB land would care to share their reasons - for or against - using B-E-A-D on a P. Thanks.


[BTW, no 35" scale. The string tension is too high for these aging hands. Otherwise, I'd just go for a Peavey G bass.]

If you're not really playing it I'd give it a shot. I mainly play 6 string now and love the high strings to fill dead air when our guitar player is switching guitars and for playing solo but I will play anything. i have been considering buying another p bass for bead for my rock band. I don't to use the high g or c on any of the songs below and I could play several more of our songs in bead with some small adjustments.















Even songs like this that do use the high G I can play without using the high G. It's just more moving around the neck

 

[Eilif]

I also haven't liked the feel of any 35" scale bass that I've tried. Besides the sound, it makes the high strings way too stiff (on EADG tuned basses I use 100 gauge sets, so slightly lighter than standard), and the reach is too far. Additionally, the vast majority of them are active, which I'm not a fan of.

Takes all kinds I guess. I love the increased tension.
You're tight about most being active. Truthfully, there aren't even very many 35" 4 stringers. When my parts jazz conversion neck is finished I'll have two passive (Jazz and Wendler) and one active but I think I'm probably an extreme outlier in that respect.

 

[Showdown]

I once strung a P (with Nordstrand pickup) BEAD and the B sounded great.

 

[Korladis]

Takes all kinds I guess. I love the increased tension.
You're tight about most being active. Truthfully, there aren't even very many 35" 4 stringers. When my parts jazz conversion neck is finished I'll have two passive (Jazz and Wendler) and one active but I think I'm probably an extreme outlier in that respect.

Yeah, different hands and so forth. Tonight at rehearsal I was playing my 4003S, which is 33.25" scale, strung BEAD with D'Addario XLs in gauges 130, 100, 80, 60, and to me that's what feels perfect. To you it would feel probably like it had very low tension.

I don't play active basses, but I have no problem with others doing so. I just don't like having too many preamps in a row (I also generally dislike tone controls on pedals).

 

[AndreasR]

This is my main concern as I've heard this more than once when investigating re-stringing for B-E-A-D tuning on a P.

One reason I started thinking about it again was an interview [@4:30] with Hugh McDonald talking about his Sadowsky P/J 5'er. At some point he realized that he didn't need the J pickup so he leaves it turned off. That's only time I've ever heard someone coming to that conclusion. The Nordstrand pickups could have something to do with it as well. Plus it's an active bass, but, who knows?

I think a reverse P would work well though.