BEAD tuning on a 30in scale. Can it be done?

[bassmusic17]

Hi I am thinking about picking up a Gibson SG Special Bass. I want to tune it to BEAD but I am not sure if strings exist for this type of application. Has anyone tuned there 4 string short scale to BEAD?

The thought of having such a small bass be a DOOM machine is very enticing to me. I just want to make sure it is possible first.

 

[Jon Moody]

It is, you just need to find a B string that has the winding length so you won't have any fitment issues.

 

[lz4005]

There are short scale 5 string sets. They can be a little hard to find, but they're out there.
Figure out the ball-end-to-nut and ball-end-to-tuning-post measurements for what's going to be the B string on that bass. That's the only way to make sure it'll work.

 

[Gorn]

I don't play B strings, but those SG's are deliciously thunderous. I bet the right BEAD set would sound awesome on it.

There's also the issue of the stock 3 point bridge. There's very little room between the ball end and where the string sits on the saddle. Intonating it properly could potentially be an issue.

 

[fjadams]

I've done this with a Gretsch 2224. I use the LaBella White Tapes 5 string set. Works well.
T

Got mine from bassstringsonline

 

[MrPierre]

I tried it with an epiphone Flying V shortscale bass and labella flats a while ago. It wasn't what I had hoped for, but YMMV.

B string was not floppy, tone wasn't cutting it either. I ended up selling the bass to finance a regular scale BEAD bass.

 

[raventepes]

I'm not sure if you're into LaBella, but here would be a good start.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[lz4005]

I'm not sure if you're into LaBella, but here would be a good start.
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Those are long scale strings that will not work on a short scale bass. The B string would break at the tuner.

 

[Gorn]

Those are long scale strings that will not work on a short scale bass. The B string would break at the tuner.

They're available in short scale.

 

[mjmeche]

They're available in short scale.

Yes, I have ordered sets for the 5 string and the 4 string short scale basses

 

[bassmusic17]

Awesome guys! I have read other threads where it seemed like it could be hard to find strings and having a lot of intonation issues and such. Sounds like there has been some progress since. I'll check out those short scale 5 sets.

 

[bassmusic17]

I was looking up those LaBellas. The Stainless Steel Round Wounds you can custom build a set. These are tapered. Would the taper pose a problem with how they sit on the bridge being that it will be tuned BEAD? Also when custom building a set for a 30in scale in this tuning. what would be the recommended gauge choices? I was thinking something along the lines of:

.60 .80 .105 .135(or .140)

What would give me the most balanced tension on a 30in scale?

 

[bassmusic17]

anyone?

 

[Blank_0101]

I too am curious been a few years trying to find a way to get my bronco to bead. Or hi flyer.

Or even A.