Can a short scale bass be tuned BEAD?

[mfleming1963]

I have a 34" scale 4 and 5 string basses but I really want a short scale bass. I was wondering can a short scale bass be tuned BEAD, which would eliminate the need for a 5 string, or would the scale be too short for a low B string? BTW, I like to use flats.

I have heard people talking about tuning a Ric BEAD, but I think that they are 32" or 33" scale basses.

 

[bungletrpg]

Only one way to find out!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

^^^^^what he said.. you might need to up the gauges a notch or 2.

 

[Sid the Kid]

I have a short scale 6 and the B sounds alright. Very booming, round sounding B. I like it but it takes a different touch. Very fun little bass to play metal on. You can really bend the hell out of the low C with the low tension.

 

[Dash Lashes]

yes you can do it...and +1 on upping the gauges slightly, but may only be necessary if desired.

 

[mfleming1963]

^^^^^what he said.. you might need to up the gauges a notch or 2.

yes you can do it...and +1 on upping the gauges slightly, but may only be necessary if desired.

At this time I do not have the short scale bass yet. My 4 string has Super Light Guage strings and my 5er has regular lights on it. Would you recomend using mediums on the short scale?

 

[anavar]

55 to 115 or 55 to 120

circle k strings should have sets like that.

 

[bholder]

Yeah, sure, though even with a bigger gauge, the B won't sound like a 34" or longer B. I'm guessing a bit more "whump" or "thud".

 

[AltGrendel]

Get higher tension strings, that would help. Otherwise it's just going to be a floppy string. I expect you'll need a custom set.

Edit:

And if my experience with drop-D counts, you'll need a very light touch.

 

[khutch]

I have my short scale Squier VI tuned CGDAEB, so half a step above B on the low string. It works and sounds great! The string tension is lower than normal so a lighter touch is needed. I am somewhat limited by the choice of strings available for a VI, the biggest I can get is a 120 for the C string and given the tight string spacing of this particular instrument you might not want to go any larger than that anyway. But on a normally spaced, four string, short scale bass you should be able to use a very heavy gauge string if you really want to have normal tension on the low B.