BEAD 4 String: Help Please!

[Volker Kirstein]

Correct. You buy the set and don’t use the G (BEAD).

Why?

This is the 21st century. 4 string sets specifically for BEAD have been readily available for years. For less than the cost of a 5er set. When you buy a 5 string set for a 4 string BEAD, you're wasting money, and wasting the environment. (assuming you throw out the G string) A drawerful of G strings is only of interest to a robot stripper.

 

[JKos]

4 string sets specifically for BEAD have been readily available for years.

Where? Which brands and string types? I can't seem to find them for any of the strings I use.

Thanks,
John

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Where? Which brands and string types?

Thanks,
John

Off the top of my head?
Rotosound Drop Zone
GHS Bass Boomers
DR Drop Down
Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky

Avail on eBay/Amazon. Search "Bass Strings BEAD".

I'm pretty sure D'addario, Warwick, Elixir, Fender, etc all make them, as well.

 

[JKos]

@Volker Kirstein ,
I want to say that I completely agree with your cost and waste statement. I guess it just depends on whether the strings you want are available that way or not. For me, the strings I like on my BEAD bass are not available in a BEAD set.

- John

 

[Volker Kirstein]

@Volker Kirstein ,
I want to say that I completely agree with your cost and waste statement. I guess it just depends on whether the strings you want are available that way or not. For me, the strings I like on my BEAD bass are not available in a BEAD set.

- John

There is that. If the strings you want are only avail as a 5 set, you're forced to use the buy-5-and-toss-one route.

IMO, said manufacturers are not "on the ball". If they can make a 5 set, they can make a BEAD set. The only real costs (I think) would be the packaging, and the manhours making the packaging changes. To be fair, I imagine those costs could be significant.

 

[gravesbass]

Why?

This is the 21st century. 4 string sets specifically for BEAD have been readily available for years. For less than the cost of a 5er set. When you buy a 5 string set for a 4 string BEAD, you're wasting money, and wasting the environment. (assuming you throw out the G string) A drawerful of G strings is only of interest to a robot stripper.

Because ALL string sets are NOT available in 4 string BEAD. My point was the thickness of the B string and use of DDT lights are a thinner B and low profile but still enough tension, not the waste of the G string. The nut would require less filing with this string set.

DDT5-40 is the set. Best of luck to the OP....

 

[BarfanyShart]

I play flatwound, in a weird tuning, on a short scale. You wanna see my drawer full of brand new, discarded bass strings? Just buy the strings you want and keep the G around until you have to replace an A string on a friend's acoustic guitar or something. You never know when you might need it.