Going to BEAD my Ibanez

[Black Out Jazz]

Santa brought my son a lefty bass so I get the Ibby back. I want to BEAD it. .125, .130, or .140?

I've never heard of Rotosound Drop Zones. Any experience out there with them?

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acc...MI0LvU1feB4AIViR-GCh3gnAS2EAQYAyABEgLMwvD_BwE

Also saw the GHS Bass Boomers for drop tuning.

https://www.ghsstrings.com/products/19714-bead-tuned-bass-boomers?category_id=1964722-bass-boomers

 

[GTHintz]

My advice is whatever b string feels good to you is what I'd use. For me it's 125, 128, or 130. I've never really needed to go any bigger. I've even used a 110 e string tuned down to b and been fine. Billy Sheehan does it with his drop tuner all the time. If you like rotos try his signature set.

 

[michael_t]

Santa brought my son a lefty bass so I get the Ibby back. I want to BEAD it. .125, .130, or .140?

What brand/type/gauges do you normally use for EADG?

 

[michael_t]

The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club

 

[Black Out Jazz]

I've never had a BEAD bass before, so I really don't know where to start.

Ah'm explorin' new territories!

What brand/type/gauges do you normally use for EADG?

.45-.105 Rotos.

 

[michael_t]

.045-.105 Rotos.

Roto 45-105 set usually comes with a .130 for the B for the 5-string set. You can start there.

OR...

Instead of limiting yourself to 4-string sets specifically designed for BEAD, you can try any of the more readily available 5-string sets (except the G, of course) to see what works best for you.

 

[michael_t]

I've never had a BEAD bass before, so I really don't know where to start.

Ah'm explorin' new territories!

Once you decide on the specific gauges for BEAD, you will have to have a new nut made or have the nut slots widened on the existing one. You probably know that already, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

Once you decide on the specific gauges for BEAD, you will have to have a new nut made or have the nut slots widened on the existing one. You probably know that already, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

...while I'm perusing nut file sets...

Thanks, Michael.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I generally prefer to buy 5 string sets with a tapered B as I find that helps a lot with the lower tension of tuning to BEAD. I know it's wasteful, but the untapered B string don't think through the saddles on the bridge I have (American Standard P Bass).

I like the Fender set (Invalid Link Removed)

I'm planning to try GHS Contact Cores next since they advertise a higher tension and I don't love the lower tension of tuning BEAD.

 

[michael_t]

I'm planning to try GHS Contact Cores next since they advertise a higher tension and I don't love the lower tension of tuning BEAD.

Just be cautioned the GHS CC Super Steels B's (125/129) and E's (100/105) are still the old "long scale" at 36.5" in winding length (ball end to silk).

 

[manchego_eggo]

Just be cautioned the GHS CC Super Steels B's (125/129) and E's (100/105) are still the old "long scale" at 36.5" in winding length (ball end to silk).

Will that wreck my intonation then? Or will it only work for top loading in that case?

 

[michael_t]

Will that wreck my intonation then? Or will it only work for top loading in that case?

It has very little to do with intonation. The only important consideration is the exposed core on them is 2" in length. Make sure that's the proper length for the type of bridge on your bass, ie not too long and not too short.

Otherwise, they should be long enough for top-loading on a 34" scale, but probably not for thru body.

 

[scuzzy]

Just did BEAD on a Thunderbird for a friend. Used DR DDT in .125. felt amazing, tight, great strings. The bigger core kept them from flopping all over. I highly recommend.

 

[BassDaddy77]

I'm about to do the same on a Squier PJ. I went with DR Strings "DDT" extra heavy set (.65/.85/.105/.125). They haven't arrived yet, but definitely looking forward to trying out this idea since I don't like playing 5 string basses, but sometimes would like those extra 4 lower notes. Curious how much work the nut will need to accommodate them.

 

[Slade N]

Just did BEAD on a Thunderbird for a friend. Used DR DDT in .125. felt amazing, tight, great strings. The bigger core kept them from flopping all over. I highly recommend.

I use these as well for BEAD, very stable strings

 

[arbiterusa]

I've never heard of Rotosound Drop Zones. Any experience out there with them?

Yes, and I like them a lot. Still got that mean Rotosound snarl, just lower.

Also use the DR DDTs, which a lot of other folks on this thread seem to use. Also very good. Not as mean a tone, but that's not a bad thing for a lot of genres of music.

 

[scuzzy]

I'm about to do the same on a Squier PJ. I went with DR Strings "DDT" extra heavy set (.65/.85/.105/.125). They haven't arrived yet, but definitely looking forward to trying out this idea since I don't like playing 5 string basses, but sometimes would like those extra 4 lower notes. Curious how much work the nut will need to accommodate them.

It was just a mild widening in my case. I believe going back to EADG wouldn't require a new nut, I think it would be just fine.

 

[BassDaddy77]

It was just a mild widening in my case. I believe going back to EADG wouldn't require a new nut, I think it would be just fine.

Really good to hear, thanks! I'm more concerned about making sure I don't go any deeper on the nut slots as that would surely induce buzzing with the larger (and I'm guessing slightly lower tension) strings.

 

[micguy]

A 130 B is in the 35 pound range in terms of tension. It works well if you like really light strings - - a 95 E has the same tension. If you're someone who uses 105 E's, you need a 140B for the same tension. I have yet to see a well designed 5 string set - one where the B string has the same tension as the E string. The complaints about floppy B strings are a string issue - all kinds of things have been done to try to fix this (longer scale being a popular one), but the real fix is the right string.

 

[Killing Floor]

Wouldn't it be more prudent to get a 5 string? You could still set the Ibby to BEAD but this way you could "justify" another bass as well. Win-win.