BEAD tuning on a regular 4 string - will I destroy the nut?

[J Wilson]

It's OK to try out BEAD on a bass set up for EADG. If you're going to stick to it long term, you will need a new nut (or the current one recut IF there's enough meat on the bone, so to speak): As it is the B-string (and maybe the other 3 as well) are sitting on top of a too-small groove in the nut, and for the action to be adjusted properly, that's just not going to work, so you need a BEAD nut, IF this is going to be a long term deal. The strings will simply be too high at the nut to play properly. OK to try it out, not live with long term.

 

[BadJazz]

I strung my L2K to BEAD several years ago and it was a real nut-buster:

 

[lark_z]

I just converted a bass to BEAD. If/when I go back to EADG I plan to just change strings. I'm not sure having the nut that tight on the strings really matters but I'll try it first before doing the work to fit a new nut.

This is what happened to me. Went BEAD with a bit of nut widening. Went back to EADG and it's all good. Didn't do anything to the nut. Been playing it 18 months in EADG.

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

i have taken a couple of my basses to a local shop and had them converted to BEAD. The new nut and subsequent set up ran something like $60 or so. Seems logical that it would be easier to string EADG with a BEAD nut than the other way around.

 

[five7]

Buy a 5 string.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Buy a 5 string.

; BEAD tuning gives you basically a 3 string Bass 90-95% of the time Capo on middle of fretboard on Bass? Not a great solution IMO

 

[gln1955]

I've strung BEAD slotted nuts EADG with no problems. YMMV

 

[Thumpin6string]

Buy a 5 string.

^^^^^
This.
Or buy a 6.

 

[Sam Evans]

This is what happened to me. Went BEAD with a bit of nut widening. Went back to EADG and it's all good. Didn't do anything to the nut. Been playing it 18 months in EADG.

Sorta for me too. Put ADGC on my short-scale, didn't need to swap out the nut.

 

[ThunderV]

I converted my 4 string to BEAD......I filed the nut to get the larger strings to fit. I later switched it back to EADG thinking I would eventually replace the nut......I never did......it's my main bass and the larger nut slots don't seem to make a difference.

 

[jdjk7]

I was reminded the other day watching a YouTube video of the old 'turn your 4 string into a 5 string - tune BEAD' trick.

I have always wondered, though - would putting a B string into a cavity designed for an E string (and similar with the other strings) not just destroy the nut?

I've had issues in the past with even getting strings with a slightly heavier gauge and finding I can't get them to sit in the nut properly.

Anywho. Guessing some folks on here will have the answer.

I strung my bass up for BEAD without cutting the nut, because I just haven't gotten around to it (I need to visit a friend who has the tools to do it)
It hasn't broken anything, but there's some inharmonicity that's cropped up ever since I swapped them that I can't find the source of, and I think it might have something to do with uneven contact at the nut. I suspect that damage to the nut depends on a lot of factors. I don't know what the material of mine is, I think it's whatever came from the factory (MIM Precision circa 2001)

So, yes, you probably should. Else, if you crack the nut, it'd be a fine excuse to upgrade to a bone nut (at least, it is for me.)

 

[Wfrance3]

It will cost you a nut, but not that big a deal. If you want to go back, you can just get a replacement nut cut for EADG.
It’s possible you may be able to file out t he nut you have to accommodate the fatter strings.

 

[Raman]

Like a couple other people mentioned above, I had my nut filed so I could string a bass BEAD. But I never thought of replacing the nut when I switched back to EADG. I haven't noticed any problem.

 

[Oluolugbenga]

This all makes sense.

A new nut is still cheaper than a 5 string.

Although, I do actually have a 5 string. Have just always been curious about the sound of this BEAD tuning on, say, a Fender P.