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Cheap bass recommendation for BEAD tuning

RyanJD

RyanJD

Apr 19, 2011
1,828
1,232
Iowa
#1
Hey guys, I've got it in my head that I need a 4-string bass with BEAD tuning. I've got a 5-string Ibanez that I love, and a P bass and Warwick Corvette that are both 4-string. Rather than modifying the bridge and nut on one of those, I would like to buy something used and fairly inexpensive that I can toy with. (I'll be using a .145 B string, so yes, I'll probably have to bore out the bridge and take a dremel to the nut.)

So what's a good 4-string pickup configuration that can transfer a solid B dynamic. For example, would a Squier P pickup struggle with that? A Jazz config? Humbucker? P/J? Something else? My concern is that 4-string bass pickups are designed for a low E and would struggle with a B. But maybe that would be a non-issue. What do you think?

I'm looking to go no more than about $300-350. Under is better. Used, preferably.
I've been looking at the Sterling SUB Ray4, old MIA Peaveys, and some Squiers. My preference would be to keep close to the classic styling of the J/P/Ray body styles, but I could live with something else at this price range. 35" scale length would be great, but I don't know of any at this budget.
My main concern is that the low B booms. I can handle the setup for it, but the pickup config is the unknown variable in my mind.
What does TB say?

Thanks.
 
#3
Don't worry about the pickup, just buy the one that you prefer for comfort and condition etc.

I have strung various basses BEAD and never had an issue with the pickup (or the bridge, but I didn't have a 145 on there ;) ).

It is quite possible you won't like the pickups for a number of reasons, but I wouldn't think that the B string would be one of them.
 
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#7
RyanJD said:
Good info, thanks! Any particular basses you've really liked with the BEAD set up?
Click to expand...

SX J. Strung BEAD with flats. Seemed to have more even punch from all four strings than my MIA P did when strung BEAD with the same strings.

rig.jpg
 
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#10
Rondo Music is very low on stock of basses after selling out of several models over the Christmas holiday's. I have been watching the web site for the new stock to arrive (it hasn't as of today 1/30/18) so if anyone not familiar with them goes and looks now keep checking back, they will likely have more soon. They sell only imported instruments and thus it takes a while for them to replace their stock. They must have had a good holiday sales season, almost all of the Douglass line and many of the SX line are OS and have been temporarily removed from the site. This is their standard practice, while out of stock the model gets removed from the web site.
 
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#11
I found a used Peavey Grind ($200 on CL) and adapted it to BEAD. I was looking for something that was nominally 35" scale. It was OK strung with a 0.130 B (that's as large as I went). Swapping out the bridge rails for a Hipshot A helped, and swapping out the electronics and pups helped even more (but the new bridge, tuners and the replacement Nordys added ~$400 to the project). After that it did sound pretty good though :thumbsup:
I called it "Grond" due to the massive B that could be used to knock down doors, gates of mithril, whatever...

So, I would say that just filing the nut with no other mods made it playable as a BEAD.

Good luck with your project!
 
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#13
I bought a used MIM J from a guy who told me it had been set up for a set of DR DDT-55 (115-55) strings and the only thing besides mechanical adjustments the tech did was a little file work on the nut. He never said specifically other than he was using it for alternate turnings but it was tuned to standard and played fine. It was pretty beat but it was also really right on the price so I snagged it up. I tried some 105-45 XL nickel and they didn't really want to work like I wanted so I ordered some DDT-55's and it came alive. The only downside is good luck finding someone who stocks them, you need to carry spares if something happened and you needed to change strings right then. Other than that I love the thing.
Look for a late model used MIM and set it up like you want it. Good used ones are certainly within your budget.
 
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#16
bassmeknik said:
Rondo Music is very low on stock of basses after selling out of several models over the Christmas holiday's. I have been watching the web site for the new stock to arrive (it hasn't as of today 1/30/18) so if anyone not familiar with them goes and looks now keep checking back, they will likely have more soon. They sell only imported instruments and thus it takes a while for them to replace their stock. They must have had a good holiday sales season, almost all of the Douglass line and many of the SX line are OS and have been temporarily removed from the site. This is their standard practice, while out of stock the model gets removed from the web site.
Click to expand...

Yup, I definitely noticed this when I looked yesterday. Usually they stock much more variety than I saw.

fhm555 said:
I bought a used MIM J from a guy who told me it had been set up for a set of DR DDT-55 (115-55) strings and the only thing besides mechanical adjustments the tech did was a little file work on the nut. He never said specifically other than he was using it for alternate turnings but it was tuned to standard and played fine. It was pretty beat but it was also really right on the price so I snagged it up. I tried some 105-45 XL nickel and they didn't really want to work like I wanted so I ordered some DDT-55's and it came alive. The only downside is good luck finding someone who stocks them, you need to carry spares if something happened and you needed to change strings right then. Other than that I love the thing.
Look for a late model used MIM and set it up like you want it. Good used ones are certainly within your budget.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Thanks for the input. I would think a standard J would be fine for alternate tunings, but I'd be hesitant to do it with a P.
 
#19
You might want to consider a Dean Edge 09. They go for less then $200 and your luthier can set it up with the strings and tuning you want. They weigh about 7lbs and the neck is excellent with good finishing on the fret edges. Mine is very very comfortable to play. :D
Dean Edge 09.jpg
 

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