The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club

[HelpImaRock]

There are 4 string sets specifically made for BEAD tuning you just have to look for them. I wish more people would buy them to encourage string manufacturers to keep them available and offer more options.

Who makes these and what are the construction differences between a BEAD set and a standard set?

 

[CC7]

Awesome, I'll definitely look for them on Sweetwater.

 

[6thplanet]

@C741 is the through holes large enough to allow the thicker strings to pass through? I had to drill out the E string hole in the BadAss bridge on my jazz to accommodate a .130 string. The rest of the holes were fine.

 

[CC7]

@C741 is the through holes large enough to allow the thicker strings to pass through? I had to drill out the E string hole in the BadAss bridge on my jazz to accommodate a .130 string. The rest of the holes were fine.

Thanks for the info and help, that is something that I still need to check. I actually have a spare bridge for this bass and I am a machinist, need to check the hole sizes on the string through body ferrules too.

I guess I'll get the strings first, thinking of getting these strings for it -
DR Strings DDT-55 Drop-Down Tuning Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings - .055-.115 Heavier

DR DDT-55 .055-.115
If I'm reading it right, the lighter the B string, the more floppy feeling it might be?
So I'm not sure if they are a good idea for this or not.

 

[6thplanet]

I went straight to the 130's as that's what I use on my 5 string basses. Currently using EB Cobalts. They sound really good, but they're not as slick feeling as the SS type strings I normally get.

 

[KaraQ]

Thanks for the info and help, that is something that I still need to check. I actually have a spare bridge for this bass and I am a machinist, need to check the hole sizes on the string through body ferrules too.

I guess I'll get the strings first, thinking of getting these strings for it -
DR Strings DDT-55 Drop-Down Tuning Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings - .055-.115 Heavier

DR DDT-55 .055-.115
If I'm reading it right, the lighter the B string, the more floppy feeling it might be?
So I'm not sure if they are a good idea for this or not.

The DDTs are pretty awesome imo, and they are made to have a bit more tension/stiffness than "normal" strings of the same gauges, since they're designed specifically for down-tuning.
A bit too much stiffness to use for standard tunings, IMO.
Unless you're into that sort of thing

I use the DDT-65 set for BEAD on a Soundgear, and I've tried the 5-string version - DDT5-45 - on another Soundgear, but felt both were a bit stiff, and would work better tuned lower.

I ended up taking the upper four from the 5-string set (45 - 105) and used them for a DGCF bass, where they worked perfect

If I were buying another set for BEAD, I'd probably get the set you're looking at, because I feel the construction of DDT strings is solid enough to work in BEAD with those gauges.


imo, of course

 

[G-Dog]

Got my P-bass in BEAD finally. I also have a Hipshot on it so I can go down to A.

I did this to a CIJ jazz bass and I'm not sure the neck likes the tension at all. used roto 66 drop zone 65-130

I've got my "Redbird" (custom shop epiphone thunderbird IV) strung BEAD presently, with DR DDTs, 45-125.
Really like the bottom end on these strings (I've since put a 50-110, +125 set on my 5-string thunderbird as well), and they stay in tune very well, as advertised

Got the needle files out and widened the nut slots to handle BEAD tuning. Made quite the difference now that the strings aren't hiked up at the nut. The low C and F at the first fret are much more in tune. Can't believe I was going to take this out to get the slots widened professionally. Now replacing the nut on my Rickenbacker 360/12, that's a little more involved, and it's got other issues.

Does anyone have pickup suggestions for p bass for BEAD? I heard that p bass pickup might not be best for B string. It seems to work well for me, but I am a little new to BEAD tuning. I currently have Dunable D-split in BEAD p bass. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

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Well! Here we are again. With once again still even more new Club numbers!!!

#82 @roffe

#83 @nattiep

#84 @KaraQ

#85 @DesolationBlvd

#86 @torinodeathride

I'll be monitoring to add more as they post here. If I skipped anyone, please let me know. Some people talked about "gonna do this", but I didn't see where they did actually do it. But there's still a few numbers left for more members!

And, yes, as before, you can find the entire BEAD Membership list on the BEAD Club Wiki page.
.

 

[somatose]

Who makes these and what are the construction differences between a BEAD set and a standard set?

I put this set on my BEAD 2001 Squier p-bass. They feel and play nice, but for whatever reason the A and D sound super zingy since the switch. It’s probably an electronics issue (there was some weird wiring done to it when I got it over 20 years ago), so it’s been a project bass.

GHS Bass Boomers BEAD

 

[CC7]

I finally got the DR DDT-55 (.055-.075-.095-.115) strings to try the BEAD thing. At the last minute decided to put them on my Ibanez SR500 (with a Bartolini HR-5.4AP/918 onboard preamp. upgrade) instead of the old Vega bass.
Filed the nut slot's (it didn't take much), had to loosen the truss rod a little and everything else setup easily enough.

I'm definitely diggin' it already, the string tension to me doesn't feel drastically different than my regular 4 stringers.

 

[Josh Pelican]

Dingwall NG2 strung BEAD!

 

[G-Dog]

I put this set on my BEAD 2001 Squier p-bass. They feel and play nice, but for whatever reason the A and D sound super zingy since the switch. It’s probably an electronics issue (there was some weird wiring done to it when I got it over 20 years ago), so it’s been a project bass.

GHS Bass Boomers BEAD

I finally got the DR DDT-55 (.055-.075-.095-.115) strings to try the BEAD thing. At the last minute decided to put them on my Ibanez SR500 (with a Bartolini HR-5.4AP/918 onboard preamp. upgrade) instead of the old Vega bass.
Filed the nut slot's (it didn't take much), had to loosen the truss rod a little and everything else setup easily enough.

I'm definitely diggin' it already, the string tension to me doesn't feel drastically different than my regular 4 stringers.

Dingwall NG2 strung BEAD!

View attachment 5145763
View attachment 5145764

Welcome once again even still more new Club numbers!!! ​

#87 @somatose

#88 @C741

#89 @Josh Pelican

I'll be monitoring to add more as they post here. If I skipped anyone, please let me know. Some people talked about "gonna do this", but I didn't see where they did actually do it. But there's still a few numbers left for more members!

And, yes, you can find the entire BEAD Membership list on the BEAD Club Wiki page.
.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I'm thinking of getting a cheapo long scale bass to try BEAD out on. Have no qualms about opening up not slots etc.
Have ordered some XL Chromes singles. 132 095 075 055. The 132 has around 35 lbs of T on a 34" bass. I wanted to keep the other strings around the same tension as B. The D will be notably less tense than the typical 065 that frequents E standard. I actually prefer less tension ( but not sloppiness). B on a 34" has about the same tension as a 132 tuned to D on my Mikro, and it feels pretty good. Anyone used Chromes for BEAD with the 132 plus the other gauges mentioned? If so, howz it feel

 

[lomo]

After 15 years of playing only five strings, I have really begun enjoying the BEAD thing at 34 inch scale. I have been using very light gauge five string sets with very good results and no need to re-file the nuts…..La Bella low tension flats use a 118 B, and I found a set of Roto sound swing bass with that 120 B; both sound really good.

 

[G-Dog]

After 15 years of playing only five strings, I have really begun enjoying the BEAD thing at 34 inch scale. I have been using very light gauge five string sets with very good results and no need to re-file the nuts…..La Bella low tension flats use a 118 B, and I found a set of Roto sound swing bass with that 120 B; both sound really good.

Welcome a new Club number! ​

#90 @lomo

I'll be monitoring to add more as they post here. If I skipped anyone, please let me know. Some people talked about "gonna do this", but I didn't see where they actually did do it. But there's still a few numbers left for more members!

And, you can find the entire BEAD Membership list on the BEAD Club Wiki page.
.

 

[James_027]

i didnt BEAD, and want to go back to EADG, whats the worst thing to happen if i didnt get a new nut? since the current nut was file to fit BEAD strings

 

[Hastur]

My fretless CIJ Fender Jazz bass in BEAD. Actually I use balanced tension “set” from D'Addario - lower strings from EXL170BT and .145 single B.

 

[G-Dog]

My fretless CIJ Fender Jazz bass in BEAD. Actually I use balanced tension “set” from D'Addario - lower strings from EXL170BT and .145 single B.

View attachment 5157640

Welcome a new Club number! ​

#91 @Hastur

I'll be monitoring to add more as they post here. If I skipped anyone, please let me know. But there's still a few numbers left for more members!

And, you can find the entire BEAD Membership list on the BEAD Club Wiki page.
.

 

[James_027]

Fellows,

how do you adjust to like playing the C, and its 5th octaves pattern movement in BEAD? Playing at the higher fret 8th fret on E string to be able to perform the root 5th octaves pattern movement? or Playing at 3rd fret on A string then go to the G on 10th fret to make the octaves available?

 

[lomo]

Thus far I have had great results with standard 4 string nuts just using very light gauge 5 string sets (Rotosound Swing Bass 120, 95, 75, 55) and tossing the .35 G........but I'd like to try filing a nut and using a more standard gauge 5 string set with a .130 B). I have never done this before, but with the proper nut files it looks like it'd be no biggie. Any comments/ helpful tips from those who have done this? Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[6thplanet]

I have one of those Harbor Freight 115 piece drill bit set. It has all the fractional bits to do it. I just wrapped 400 grit paper around the proper size bit to open the slots up. Happens pretty easily. I watched a video on setting the fret height at the nut and just filed a bit, slide the string into it, tune, check clearance with a feeler gauge, then repeat.