BEAD inquiry

[Wallygator]

Not 100% sure this is the right area but here is my question. I was thinking of picking up a used bass to string BEAD. I have really small hands and a 5 string just isn't for me. I thought this might be a useful tool to have for the occasional tune that would benefit from the low B.

Just wondering what I would need to do to set one up that way. I would assume getting the nut filed for the bigger strings. Is there anything else I should prepare and if you have string suggestions I am all ears.

Thanks.

 

[mech]

Besides the topnut slots being widened, the bridge saddles will need to move back about 1/8" to set the intonation. The relief in the neck may need to be reset, depending on the string tension of the new set. I have had to remove the B saddle spring to get enough intonation adjustment and also enlarge the hole in the bridge for the B string to 5/32".

If the bottom of the topnut slots are left where they are round, changing back to EADG works fine.

mech

 

[Joedog]

How much time have you spent playing a 5'er? I hated them at first.......now I play one 95% of the time. I have small hands too. Just took a bit of getting used to.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

IMLE there's not always enough room on the B string saddle to intonate properly even when the saddle is as far back as it goes, so unless going for tapered core or exposed core B, You may need to move the bridge back a bit.

Other than that, it's as straight forward as filing the nut and doing a setup.

Be warned though, unless You stay for extended periods of time above 12th string on the G string ATM, The BEAD one may well become your main instrument .

As an added benefit, BEAD will confuse the hell out of the guitarists and keyboardists who rely on visual clues .

Regards
Sam

 

[Rocken17]

Agreed. For me it was as simple as filing the nut to a larger string size. My Squier PJ intonated fine with the Gotoh bridge. (and there is a BEAD string club now, I think I am number 8)

 

[kzr750r1]

Challange in this is finding that string make and guage to get the right tension for your playing style. I've been using GHS Nickle Heavy boomers lately for BEAD. .115 B is about right for me. I've picked up a .118 balanced set that went on the 5 string from Circle K. If you go to small it will sound floppy. But this all depends on your attack.

 

[rydin4lifebass]

Go for it my man. I have an Ibanez SRX300 tuned BEAD. It was originally EADG with Elixir's, then with GHS Boomers, DR Hi-Beams, and finally Fender Tapewounds. I then changed it to BEAD with DR Red Devils using a .125 B and finally settle on Ernie Ball Power Slinky's with a .135 B. I love the thin necks on the Ibanez SR/SRX models and it holds the lower tuning without problem. The nut slot did need to be slightly widened and it needed a set-up but it's all good now.

 

[eukatheude]

Make sure that the bass you're buying doesn't have neck issues.

 

[Ibycan]

I put 5 string pack of EB power slinks on my Squier VM70 dropping the G string and besides filing the nut a bit everything fit just fine. Didn't even have to adjust the neck. So it will depend on the bass set up as to whether you have to do a lot or not. Since I got a 5 string I actually tune this bass to C standard.