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The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club

#321
Paragon3 said:
Perhaps it's not my place to respond but I use a triangle file and a tapered round file for every nut I make or adjust. The round file just for bass strings mostly. Amazon.. Local store.. If I had only one.. The triangle file.

https://www.amazon.ca/Needle-Highest-Quality-Hardened-Strength/dp/B07KFZSLQ9

Similar set to what I've been using for a few years
Click to expand...

I appreciate the input. Hah! I think my wife has those Amazon files in her craft box! Those should work for widening the nut. Actually, I think a nail file would work especially if the nut is plastic.

The nuts on most of my instruments need a complete replacement so I might get a slotting set.

It’s just time for me to get serious, watch the videos and buy the tools. For a 5 string bass, a good Slotting set is about $82.00.

Gauged Nut Slotting File Set for Bass | stewmac.com

I have 3 basses that have the lousiest, cheapest plastic nuts imaginable on them. It would be good to get some bone nut blanks, graphtech nuts, or even a metal nut and upgrade the arsenal.

There are way worse things a guy could spend his money on.
 
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#322
Bassist59 said:
I appreciate the input. Hah! I think my wife has those Amazon files in her craft box! Those should work for widening the nut. Actually, I think a nail file would work especially if the nut is plastic.

The nuts on most of my instruments need a complete replacement so I might get a slotting set.

It’s just time for me to get serious, watch the videos and buy the tools. For a 5 string bass, a good Slotting set is about $82.00.

Gauged Nut Slotting File Set for Bass | stewmac.com

I have 3 basses that have the lousiest, cheapest plastic nuts imaginable on them. It would be good to get some bone nut blanks, graphtech nuts, or even a metal nut and upgrade the arsenal.

There are way worse things a guy could spend his money on.
Click to expand...

I've used that exact triangle and round file with absolute confidence. Those stupid torch tip cleaning things and we'll every other option expressed here is laughable. I have 38/40/43mm brass blanks some fender spec with the slot some more suited to my ESP or a Gibson. I like them because filing is slower but they don't chip out or chew away. Tone. Meh. Lol
 
#325
Kijekuyo said:
I'm still considering doing it myself, but I thought it would be hard to avoid wearing the slot downward when using round wound strings. I think I have the files in a drawer.
Click to expand...
I expect round wound strings would file so slowly you'd be constantly checking for any results at all. And easily spot when the slots were the right shape. And hence the right depth.
 
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#326
So, as I just posted, I'm on the fence about whether to modify my bass for B-E-A-D myself or have a shop do it. I'm also wondering whether I should modify my short scale Jaguar SS or my long scale Affinity J-Bass. I bought a set of strings to do the J-bass, but now I have my doubts.

The reason I'm not sure is because I want the Jag SS to be my main bass due to it's sound, playability, and light weight and it seems like I rarely play the G string. I think the only time is when I play a full-octave walking bass line for I-IV-V patterns. The low B string would allow me to avoid having to play the F and F# on the E string, bringing those two positions closer to the middle of the neck, and this might come into play more often than playing the G string.

I'm about to start the process and it's hard to decide. If I do choose to implement the B-E-A-D tuning on the Jag SS, I have to invest in a $49 short-scale 5-string set, and the long-scale ones I have here will be unused. On top of that, the short scales might be hard to find in flat wound in the gauge I want.

Any advice?
 
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#327
Kijekuyo said:
So, as I just posted, I'm on the fence about whether to modify my bass for B-E-A-D myself or have a shop do it. I'm also wondering whether I should modify my short scale Jaguar SS or my long scale Affinity J-Bass. I bought a set of strings to do the J-bass, but now I have my doubts.

The reason I'm not sure is because I want the Jag SS to be my main bass due to it's sound, playability, and light weight and it seems like I rarely play the G string. I think the only time is when I play a full-octave walking bass line for I-IV-V patterns. The low B string would allow me to avoid having to play the F and F# on the E string, bringing those two positions closer to the middle of the neck, and this might come into play more often than playing the G string.

I'm about to start the process and it's hard to decide. If I do choose to implement the B-E-A-D tuning on the Jag SS, I have to invest in a $49 short-scale 5-string set, and the long-scale ones I have here will be unused. On top of that, the short scales might be hard to find in flat wound in the gauge I want.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
BEAD your backup. Don't file the nut until you are confident you want to keep that setup. It will still play well enough for you to make the call.
 
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#329
Here are my files. I have a half-round, a thin flat one, a rat tail, and a couple of triangular ones.

IMG_0399.jpg

I called two local guitar shops. One said they would do the whole setup for $75; the other for $99.99. I haven't tried Guitar Center, cuz I'm not sure of their workmanship.

If I end up doing it myself, I think I have to file, adjust the truss, and intonate. Do I have it right?

I've never done any of those.
 
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#330
Kijekuyo said:
So, as I just posted, I'm on the fence about whether to modify my bass for B-E-A-D myself or have a shop do it. I'm also wondering whether I should modify my short scale Jaguar SS or my long scale Affinity J-Bass. I bought a set of strings to do the J-bass, but now I have my doubts.

The reason I'm not sure is because I want the Jag SS to be my main bass due to it's sound, playability, and light weight and it seems like I rarely play the G string. I think the only time is when I play a full-octave walking bass line for I-IV-V patterns. The low B string would allow me to avoid having to play the F and F# on the E string, bringing those two positions closer to the middle of the neck, and this might come into play more often than playing the G string.

I'm about to start the process and it's hard to decide. If I do choose to implement the B-E-A-D tuning on the Jag SS, I have to invest in a $49 short-scale 5-string set, and the long-scale ones I have here will be unused. On top of that, the short scales might be hard to find in flat wound in the gauge I want.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
I don't think you have any viable string choices and a short scale BEAD isn't really the best variant. Anything will work however so. Do what you like.
 
#331
So, I went ahead and put the heavy-gauge strings on my J-Bass. I filed the grooves a little, but not enough for the strings to seat completely against the bottom of the curve. I now have to raise the action of the B and D strings and intonate it. At some point, I have to watch some Youtube vids and learn how to adjust the truss rod. All of these are new to me except raising the action.

I played "Lowrider" and "Theme from Shaft" on the J-Bass after stringing. For "Lowrider" having the F at the sixth fret made the groove a little easier to play. For "Shaft" the jam during the verse felt better than using the open strings.
 
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#333
I sold off all my electrics in January.

Guy who bought my BEAD Samick YB-410BK was a moron and tuned it up to E having not read the ad being a loser reseller and tried to blame me for the truss rod busting... When he tried adjusting it.

Darius Yang. You idiot.

Recently returned with this EC-54 and a Cheap Junior with a SD Full Shred.

my homebuilt bass banjo on hold indefinitely.
 

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#334
UPDATE: I've set up (truss adjustment, bridge height, intonation) my Squier Affinity J-Bass now (right side of avatar), and I played some grooves on it today in its new B-E-A-D configuration. It sounds really nice, and I created a funky line just for the occasion that incorporates that new low C and D.

I haven't played my J-Bass much since getting the Jaguar SS (left side of avatar), but after hearing it today, I realize why I liked it so much when I bought it last year and praised it so much in the Affinity forum. Still, I'm converted to short scale for my main.

I'm thinking that if I didn't have two basses, I'd consider re-tuning the Jaguar SS to B-E-A-D. It's hard to say.

Thanks for the help, opinions, and advice.
 
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#336
Just wanted to share my experience, I'm now recording an album using BEAD tuning, I don't own a 5 string bass so I've been testing out with my basses, I've recorded with my Warwick using the string that are on it (D'addario .105) old not new ones and other than minor adjustments to the truss rod i didn't do much else.
Main issue was my touch, I Think it's a positive thing, I've used to have a very heavy right hand, now I am playing lighter and i believe it is good so far. check it out

 
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#337
kutkut said:
Just wanted to share my experience, I'm now recording an album using BEAD tuning, I don't own a 5 string bass so I've been testing out with my basses, I've recorded with my Warwick using the string that are on it (D'addario .105) old not new ones and other than minor adjustments to the truss rod i didn't do much else.
Main issue was my touch, I Think it's a positive thing, I've used to have a very heavy right hand, now I am playing lighter and i believe it is good so far. check it out

Click to expand...


THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

You're ultimately correct about playing softer. I have a UBASS and it's not an either or for compression vs soft touch. You might be good enough to play without compression...

I'm not. And with longer scale or heavier strings I find it easier to fret a heavy string than pluck lightly all the time. That's really my shortcoming that dictates heavier gauges.

After a certain point it still goes back to gauge and tension.

Like. Have you played a Dingwall 37"
 
#339
So there haven’t been any posts here since my last post in January. Since then I’ve tuned all of my basses to DGCF and that’s been working for the last few months.

However… I’m really wanting to get a 5-string again. A few days ago I put a set of D’Addario XLs on my Schecter Raiden and tuned it ADGC (BEAD down one full step). I still love want a 5-string but I’m thinking about tuning this bass up to BEAD.

Jumping around with tuning like this over the last 6 months has been a challenge but I think getting back to standard tuning (BEAD until I get a 5er) will be less work for my brain and perhaps be more enjoyable to play.

I’m gonna try it this afternoon. We’ll see.
 
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#340
I've decided I want to convert one of my basses to BEAD, but I'm not sure which one.

The two in question are:
Ibanez SR650 2018 (Nordstrand P/J active/passive pickups with 3-band EQ)
Warwick Streamer Std. 1999 (2 MEC soapbar humbuckers with Bartolini 2-band A/P preamp I added)

I was going to keep the original nut and use these to file them bigger, then use the four thicker strings from a set of DR Lo-Riders.
Files: MusicNomad MN673 5-piece Bass Guitar Diamond Coated Nut File Set

Anything I should be concerned about before I go for it, and which bass would y'all use and why?
 
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