Well, thats a coincidence cos of all my basses I was thinking of trying this on, this was the main candidate-
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BEAD 4 String Pros & Cons?
- Thread starter grrg63
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- bead bead tuning
If I were to play a four again I’d tune it like that. I’ve played a six so long that having B on the bottom feels very natural, although I’d miss the high strings.
You gain a lot of useable low notes over all genres (not just heavy stuff) and it means you can keep track of what notes are where if your ensemble tunes differently (i.e. you know that 3rd fret on the E string is G, 4th fret on A string is C#; rather than retuning to drop D to match your guitarist and having to mentally shift everything around if you want to know what actual notes you’re playing).
All you lose is easy access to higher notes, but you can get those by shifting your hand position and playing them fretted, and if you miss hitting the absolute highest notes at the top frets on the G string (lel - can’t help it) because you routinely play up there, then you probably won’t be using a four string anyway.
Give it a shot and see, if you don’t like it all it’ll cost you is the price of a single G as you can still use the EAD once you’ve ditched the B.
You gain a lot of useable low notes over all genres (not just heavy stuff) and it means you can keep track of what notes are where if your ensemble tunes differently (i.e. you know that 3rd fret on the E string is G, 4th fret on A string is C#; rather than retuning to drop D to match your guitarist and having to mentally shift everything around if you want to know what actual notes you’re playing).
All you lose is easy access to higher notes, but you can get those by shifting your hand position and playing them fretted, and if you miss hitting the absolute highest notes at the top frets on the G string (lel - can’t help it) because you routinely play up there, then you probably won’t be using a four string anyway.
Give it a shot and see, if you don’t like it all it’ll cost you is the price of a single G as you can still use the EAD once you’ve ditched the B.
I recently did this to a bass, and I'm not sure if I'm in the honeymoon phase with it, but I'm really digging this and wish I had done it sooner. My friend helped me with it, and he had to file all of the nut slots, but it's a simple mod with sand paper and some masking tape to protect the fretboard. I'm usually asked to bring my five string to my gigs, and after thinking about it, I rarely ever use the G string. I prefer the feel of a four string these days, so this has been a nice change.
Yeah but I kind of like it as is....these are lighter gauge 105s. Saddle is slammed. Tension is low as it is.... if I fixed the truss I’d have to raise the saddles I might have to raise them so much that I dislike the action....if I did everything the right way I’d need to use heavier gauge....I’m going to put off the adjustment until I tire of the way it sounds.
Well, thats a coincidence cos of all my basses I was thinking of trying this on, this was the main candidate-
Too cool with the BCR love here!! I do the BEAD tuning with one of my BCR Ironbirds
The neck doesn't take standard tuning on regular gauge (105-45) strings very well, but sounds and feels great tuned down.
To the OP, the best I can say is to just try it out. Every bass I've tried this with has taken this differently depending on the neck. With my Ironbird I have the neck very,very straight where the last bass I tried this with I had the truss as loose as I could get and it still wasn't right. Keep in mind both were 34" scale. Yes, you will probably need to redo the setup and intonation but it's worth it for those extra low notes. Good luck!!
Too bad the BCR club is a ghost town
Yeah, they're not too popular of a brand with bass players. Most don't know what they're missing, even the more "conservative" shapes don't get love. I'm convinced that most bassists don't wanna "rock the boat" or whatever!? LOL
I really like the special edition zombie the most. I need to start a thread about one of my pots... goes fuzzy and scratchy cuts out completely then booms back....its not the battery because I replaced it... unless the battery patch that the 9 volt is connected is loose.
That is a very cool bass you got!!! I don't know jack about electronics otherwise I'd help. Three of my basses don't have electronics in them ATM: both Mocks and my Warlock. Still waiting on a bonus from my job unfortunately. The more stuff they have electronically, the more prone to error over time I imagine
My main practice bass has the nut cut for BEAD. I had no problem going back to EADG, it is strung that way right now. I am mainly playing classic rock now and don't need the low B.
If you need the low B, then going BEAD is much cheaper than buying a 5 string. One thing I found strange about BEAD is it is quite often cheaper to buy a 5 string set and throw away a string than build up a 4 string set.
Pros:
If you need the low B, then going BEAD is much cheaper than buying a 5 string. One thing I found strange about BEAD is it is quite often cheaper to buy a 5 string set and throw away a string than build up a 4 string set.
Pros:
- low B
- same neck and string spacing as you are used to
- can easily go back to standard tuning
- no G
- strings are more expensive
I did my first Warlock Bass like that. Loved it. Was playing 80's metal and didnt need the G that much.
If you like that Coliseum ROAR like I do, it's great!
If you're a finesse guy, you'll miss that high G.
Be careful if you decide to file the nut yourself. I ruined mine by cutting the groove too deep, and had to take it to a pro for replacement.
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Congratulations on the Ironbirds. Love em.
I have a purple one.
Two Widows. Amazing Basses.
I miss the "Attitude" days.
Oh thanks! I got lucky finding them over the years. You got two Blackie lawless basses, that's badass!! By chance is your Ironbird an older NJ? I know that was a standard color on those, the white one I sold was close to purple originally but refinished "glitter rock white"
I've been playing BEAD exclusively for about 13 months. I haven't missed the G string at all. I agree with the pros and cons listed above. I did end up using a tapered B string to get the tonality of the B to match the rest.
I need to be able to transpose easily and using BEAD has made that much easier for me.
OP, it's really just up to your needs. Give it a shot. It's easy to go back.
- John
I need to be able to transpose easily and using BEAD has made that much easier for me.
OP, it's really just up to your needs. Give it a shot. It's easy to go back.
- John
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Im prety sure its an NJ. Havent even had it out of the case for months.
I love the white ones.
See my avatar? I have the only bass in existence in that body style. Hate to brag, but I am proud of it.
