BEAD instead of EADG?

[Nyarlathotep]

My 4 banger is currently tuned ADGC. I never use it, but it can be done. You just gotta file out the nut a little, and adjust the truss rod. If you feel comfortable doing so, I say go for it

 

[Darkstrike]

You wouldn't necessarily need a 35" scale to tune down to ADGC, just like you don't need a 32" scale to tune up to ADGC.


It is my understanding that scale length plays a much smaller role in determining the string tension as opposed to the gauge, mass, and material of the strings themselves.

Very much so, I used to play ADGC(tenor) with a 34" fretless, worked fine, ADGC(sub) would also work on 34"

I used to play BEAD before, it's a really handy tuning, and will work fine on a good 34" bass, you just need a decent B string.

I use GHS Heavys and my B string is .115. So yeah I have to file the nut most times but I havent had to adjust the truss rod at all. The saddles get pretty far back but its definately do-able.

I used the BEAD out of a five string pack of Boomers, worked very well, though I moved the bridge back 1/4" just to give the saddle that little extra movement.
At one time I used super light 4 string D'Addario's which are the strings Slipknots bassist uses for BEAD, and Drop B(BF#BE). They will work too, but you need high action, or a delicate touch.

 

[Guest043]

I've come to the conclusion that my hands just aren't fast enough to play a 5 string bass not matter whether its finger style or slap. Either the finger boards are too wide or the strings are too close together.

I was thinking about regressing to a 4 string and buying a musicman sterling and stringing it to a BEAD so I wouldn't lose the versatility of a 5 string. Has anyone ever attempted this type of stringing on a 4 string? And If so how did it work out?

Thanks

billy sheehan did an entire album playing a bass tuned like that. i dont remember hearing any of it, but atleast i know that he played a bass tuned BEAD.

 

[Bassbasixx]

IMO it is all about good tension, I get my basses set up with really low action as low as I can get without any buzz and with regular gauge strings any lower tuning then Eb things get floppy, clanky and sound like crap IME. My last bass I had just got it set up and I started playing with my old singer and he wanted everything down from 435 with drop tuning to 430 a whole step D G C F and some with a whole step with drop tuning which would be drop c correct and it did not work out very well at all + I don't play with a light touch and strings would waver from out of tune to into tune not enough tension + intonation will be off. My feelings are if you want a 4 strung B E A D for the best performance you got to go with the heavier strings from a 5 string set. Long story short it was not working out for me with the old singer with 4 different tunings and one bass. Now that I am back up to 2 basses I will most likely string my 35'' scale Peavey B A E D using the 4 strings out of a 5 set.

 

[zagralin_arf]

I've come to the conclusion that my hands just aren't fast enough to play a 5 string bass not matter whether its finger style or slap. Either the finger boards are too wide or the strings are too close together.

I was thinking about regressing to a 4 string and buying a musicman sterling and stringing it to a BEAD so I wouldn't lose the versatility of a 5 string. Has anyone ever attempted this type of stringing on a 4 string? And If so how did it work out?

Thanks

There is this thing called practicing that will make your hands faster, and it also helps you get used to things you aren't used too such as wide fingerboards and closer string spacing. That way you don't need to regress at all.

 

[Bassenstien]

I use C standard with .110 strings and its fine. Tension is a little loose but I like it. I did have it set up though.

 

[MHensleyJr]

There is this thing called practicing that will make your hands faster, and it also helps you get used to things you aren't used too such as wide fingerboards and closer string spacing. That way you don't need to regress at all.

Why is going back to a 4 string "regressing"? Believe it or not, some people actually prefer a 4 over a 5!:scowl:

 

[Darkstrike]

Why is going back to a 4 string "regressing"? Believe it or not, some people actually prefer a 4 over a 5!:scowl:

The OP's own word, that he wanted to regress back to 4, check the first post.

 

[Bassbasixx]

Why is going back to a 4 string "regressing"? Believe it or not, some people actually prefer a 4 over a 5!:scowl:

+1 I could practice 24/7 and and my little paws and me will still prefer a 4 string to each is own.

 

[rarbass]

Chris Squire did this. Actually, I don't remember if he did this or he just had the bass custom made for that extra range...I'm unsure, but the strings were tuned like this.

 

[ericmknight1906]

The OP's own word, that he wanted to regress back to 4, check the first post.

Yes, I did state that. But regressing isn't necessarily a negative term.It just means that I went back to what I was comfortable with. In fact, I'm content with the 4 string BEAD style. I have no regrets.

 

[rhix]

What about the range you lose going higher in pitch??

 

[Darkstrike]

What about the range you lose going higher in pitch??

You loose 5 notes, the five highest on the G string, not a major deal.

The other way round, you loose the five lowest notes, again not that bi a deal, unless you use those notes a lot, just gotta decide what you need.

 

[Thor]

I seemed to have moved from a Benavente 5 to a Fender Geddy Lee 4 for the most part.

I fitted a Hipshot detuner to it. Pull the crank and you have D. That low D was the note I needed, low B I hardly ever use.

So that was the perfect solution for me.

http://www.bestbassgear.com/hipshot-detuner-extenders.htm

 

[porkchop[]

Ive done it on a 34" and it worked just fine. just use a little heavier string gauge.

I was looking to make the jump to a 5 string then saw Victor Wooten and realized I should learn to play my 4 string first.

The 5 extra notes aren't worth it to me, I use a Hipshot drop D tuner don't need much lower than that. If I had A five Id probably string it EADGC anyway for playin chords.

 

[Darkstrike]

You could put a hipshot on a B-E-A-D bass.........



Or one on a bass tuned C(hipshoting to B)-F-Bb-Eb

 

[Thangfish]

I use BEAD tuning on my Geddy. Works great.
From a 4 string set, I throw out the G string, and buy a single .130 B. File nut to fit, set intonation and away you go.
Seldom miss the G string. No issues whatsoever.

 

[EADG mx]

Very much so, I used to play ADGC(tenor) with a 34" fretless, worked fine, ADGC(sub) would also work on 34"

Taking it to an extreme: Jauqo tunes his bass to C#-F#-B-E (over an octave below standard tuning) on a 34" scale. Some people tune an octave up on a 34" scale (Stu Hamm I believe). It's all in the string mass.


Regarding losing range, keep in mind you're also loosing positions, harmonics, and timbres. There's a bigger difference between a 4 and 5 string than just the extra range.

 

[BassIsFun17]

i guess this would be ok to put this in
ok so i have and old brice hxb 406 6 string bass
and i want to tune it F# B E A D G....do i just need to re-slot the nut for that?
and truss rod work?

 

[EADG mx]

The strings may or may not fit the bridge, likely won't fit the nut but try before you make any adjustments so you can see what you're working with.

As for setup you may need some work but give it a few days after making the switch before you decide that.