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Good strings for BEAD tuning?

mini-milli

mini-milli

Aug 6, 2020
236
475
#1
I'm looking to convert one of my basses to BEAD.

I want something pretty bright but not overly so- I was thinking DR Hi-Beams or Fat-Beams.

I'm planning to get a 5 string set and not use the G, and file the nut to accept the new strings.

The bass they are going on is an Ibanez SR650.
 
#2
mini-milli said:
I'm looking to convert one of my basses to BEAD.

I want something pretty bright but not overly so- I was thinking DR Hi-Beams or Fat-Beams.
Click to expand...

I once tried DR Fat Beams (40-60-80-100-125) and DR Lo-Riders (40-60-80-100-125) back-to-back on my son's Ibanez SR-1205E, and ended up liking the LRs better for a better low B punch and clarity, thanks to the hex core.

If you want a non-floppy B with good clarity and definition, you might want to consider the LRs (hex core) over the HBs or the FBs (both round core) as the hex-core stiffness can help keep it from being too floppy.
 
#4
EDIT: I was replying to michael_t post #2, above.
My experience is limited to E on 4-string, but I think *more* flexibility helps with clarity.
On 5-string (starting tomorrow), I'll probably stick with the same theory.

I see more than one poster - including @michael_t (at least in the past) - using a B from a different set entirely, and this seems promising if necessary.
 
#6
I use Prosteels for this. They are available singly and Daddario's tension chart is handy if you want to put together a set with higher or lower tension (and making sure the B isn't too floppy).
 
#8
Thanks for the replies. Follow-up question: I have two basses I'm considering using.
Bass 1: 2018 Ibanez SR650 (Nordstrand P/J pickups, 3 band A/P preamp)
Bass 2: 1999 Warwick Streamer Std (2x MEC passive soapbar humbuckers, 2-band Bartolini aftermarket A/P preamp)

Which would y'all choose and why?
 
#9
For me, the Ibanez would be an option, as it has a conventional (bone, graphtech, etc.) nut. Say you convert this bass with the nut slots re-filed for B-D stringing. It would be far cheaper if you change your mind later to re-fill the slots and cut for E-G or replace it altogether than the brass nut you see on most German Warwicks.

But ultimately it's your call.
 
#10
JW56789 said:
For me, the Ibanez would be an option, as it has a conventional (bone, graphtech, etc.) nut. Say you convert this bass with the nut slots re-filed for B-D stringing. It would be far cheaper if you change your mind later to re-fill the slots and cut for E-G or replace it altogether than the brass nut you see on most German Warwicks.

But ultimately it's your call.
Click to expand...

Oh, I didn't even think about the nut on the Warwick. Mine is the older style plastic nut.
Do they make BEAD Warwick-style nuts? I'd rather just replace the nut rather than file it on the Warwick.
 
Last edited:
#11
Then you'd have the same choice for either bass, it would be the same process for either one, I wrongly assumed your Warwick had the brass assembly.

Generally, you want a good tech to make the replacement nut with installation. You can buy pre-cut nuts for standards like a Jazz Bass, but often they'll still need a little fine-tuning.
 

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