The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club

[G-Dog]

Well folks I did it. I've been lurking here for quite some time, so first off, thank you all for the information that I needed to go through with it.
So I knew I wanted a low B string in my arsenal, but wasn't really prepared to do the mod to my only bass, a Fender MiM P/J. I decided that I'd keep an eye for a good deal on either a 5 string or a 4 string that would be a good candidate for BEAD. Eventually a Squier Paranormal '54 Jazz showed up on the Fb MP so I kept an eye on it and when they dropped the price to $150 (?!) I jumped on it. Ordered a nut from Graph tech, got my hands on an Ernie Ball 5 string set and went to work. I think I may do some more work on the nut and there's a weird overtone on the B that I need to figure out, otherwise I've spent the last couple hours unleashing the thunder and I'm loving it!

Welcome a new Club number! ​

#107 @Chris_H60

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

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

 

[G-Dog]

Try lowering your pickups, my b gets nasty from the magnetic pull of the neck pickup (not a jazz tho). When the strings break in it's definitely better too

Hey, urk! Is yours a BEAD bass, or a 5-string?

 

[urkel3000]

I exclusively play four strings tuned to B or A sharp. My casady doesn't have this issue, but my T40 is so bad that I pulled the neck pickup out

 

[Chris_H60]

Welcome a new Club number! ​

#107 @Chris_H60

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

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

Cool thanks!

 

[G-Dog]

I exclusively play four strings tuned to B or A sharp. My casady doesn't have this issue, but my T40 is so bad that I pulled the neck pickup out

Welcome a new Club number! ​

#108 @urkel3000

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

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

 

[urkel3000]

Thanks duder!!

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I'll give those links a read and start troubleshooting. So far I have only played it through an HX Stomp XL with headphones and I ran it through a patch with zero effects or amp sims and the sound was still there.
Thanks for the reply!

Check this out as well. Note last post about tungsten tape instead of lead tape by yours truly https://www.talkbass.com/threads/low-inharmonicity-strings-esp-short-scale.1656545/

Tungsten Tape

 

[Chris_H60]

Check this out as well. Note last post about tungsten tape instead of lead tape by yours truly https://www.talkbass.com/threads/low-inharmonicity-strings-esp-short-scale.1656545/

Tungsten Tape

I'll gladly give this a try! I've been on the internet shopping for different strings, but I hate to buy another set after just one day of use. This could give me an opportunity to get some use out of these strings. Thank you

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I'll gladly give this a try! I've been on the internet shopping for different strings, but I hate to buy another set after just one day of use. This could give me an opportunity to get some use out of these strings. Thank you

Certainly not my idea, other than the suggestion of using tungsten instead of lead tape. Member iiipopes mentions in that linked thread posts by a Dr Kemp ( not sure where on TB the posts are). My understanding is the tape is an el cheapo diy take on Kemp's research and his strings habing some kind of bulge in front of saddles.

 

[JKovax]

I just reconverted my Kramer back to the standard EADG after 30+ years set up as a BEAD instrument. I just didn't have enough material that used it to justify the low B string, where either E-flat or Drop-D tuning would cover it. Granted, if I were still doing originals, I'd have a couple of songs to put it to good use, but that's probably not happening anymore. No number for me, as I'm no longer a BEAD'er.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I just reconverted my Kramer back to the standard EADG after 30+ years set up as a BEAD instrument. I just didn't have enough material that used it to justify the low B string, where either E-flat or Drop-D tuning would cover it. Granted, if I were still doing originals, I'd have a couple of songs to put it to good use, but that's probably not happening anymore. No number for me, as I'm no longer a BEAD'er.

So you struggled on in BEAD for only 30 years /sarc
Can't have been too much of a hassle. But whatever floats ya boat

 

[G-Dog]

I just reconverted my Kramer back to the standard EADG after 30+ years set up as a BEAD instrument. I just didn't have enough material that used it to justify the low B string, where either E-flat or Drop-D tuning would cover it. Granted, if I were still doing originals, I'd have a couple of songs to put it to good use, but that's probably not happening anymore. No number for me, as I'm no longer a BEAD'er.

Now, let me get this straight, here, J.

You've had a BEAD bass for the last 30+ years, right? And, now you've put it back to EADG, right? But you have never, in all that time, come here before to join us, right? So, you don't have a number here, right?

And, as your first post here, in this 10+ year old BEAD club, you felt compelled to tell us that you are no longer gonna do the vary thing that we're all here to talk about doing any more?!?! And, Oh, by the way, you don't want a number here. Have I got that right??!?

May I ask; why bother?

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Now, let me get this straight, here, J.

You've had a BEAD bass for the last 30+ years, right? And, now you've put it back to EADG, right? But you have never, in all that time, come here before to join us, right?

And, as your first post here, in this 10+ year old BEAD club, you felt compelled to tell us that you are no longer gonna do the vary thing that we're all here to talk about doing any more?!?! Have I got that right??!?

May I ask; why bother?

Trolling imho. See post 2916 https://www.talkbass.com/threads/what-kind-of-strings-do-you-use.78140/page-146#post-28607476
Gave up playing for 30 years but now says had a Kramer strung in BEAD for 30 years. Was that for 30 years before giving up playing for 30 years lol
@JKovax What year did u set the Kramer up for BEAD?

 

[G-Dog]

... ... ... I was so demoralized by the band drama issues that I gave up playing for over 30 years. ... ... ...

... ... ... I just reconverted my Kramer back to the standard EADG after 30+ years set up as a BEAD instrument. I just didn't have enough material that used it to justify the low B string, where either E-flat or Drop-D tuning would cover it. Granted, if I were still doing originals, I'd have a couple of songs to put it to good use, but that's probably not happening anymore. ... ... ...

??? Was the 30+ years of Kramer BEAD while you gave up playing?? Not exactly a fair trial, if so. But, YMMV.

I axially wasn't aware that BEAD required "special material" to justify it. I use one of my three BEAD basses for practically everything I play! I find I can be much more flexible to singers, especially older ones, requesting transpositions to lower keys. And I don't really care if a song wasn't written or recorded with a low D, or whatever, in it. If it seems to fit at the time, I'll throw it in there (and never had a complaint)! And I have never regretted losing those top 5 notes on the missing G string that the D string can't reach. And, finally, it's a whole lot easier than detuning to Eb or Drop D, then re-tuning.

 

[JKovax]

So you struggled on in BEAD for only 30 years /sarc
Can't have been too much of a hassle. But whatever floats ya boat

I quit playing in the late '80s after the catastrophic (and violent) demise of an all-original project which used the low notes, and the bass (one of several) sat in the attic for over 30 years. I just started re-learning bass a little over a year ago, and the BEAD setup no longer serves any purpose for me.

I scanned through the thread out of "been there, done that" curiosity, and posted as a way of pointing out that such things may be subject to the needs of whatever you happen to be playing, rather than preference. If the situation changes (when doesn't it?), and I restring the instrument again, I might be back for a number. Meanwhile, enjoy playing on the bottom end of the low-end forum.

 

[G-Dog]

I quit playing in the late '80s after the catastrophic (and violent) demise of an all-original project which used the low notes, and the bass (one of several) sat in the attic for over 30 years. ... ...

Sounds like quite a traumatic experience to cause such an extended musical hiatus. My condolences.

I had a shorter hiatus, with some occasional gigs, imposed by child rearing. But, music was right there to fill the empty nest when it came.

... ... I just started re-learning bass a little over a year ago, and the BEAD setup no longer serves any purpose for me. ... ...

Since it's just one of several, you may be a bit too hasty in getting rid of the BEAD. Maybe you could learn more of the possibilities it holds, instead of focusing only on need.

... ... I scanned through the thread out of "been there, done that" curiosity, ... ...

Ah! But did you get the t-shirt?! Did you laugh? Did you cry? Did it become a part of you?

... ... and posted as a way of pointing out that such things may be subject to the needs of whatever you happen to be playing, rather than preference. ... ...

But, in the musical arts, "needs" can be quite subjective. If there is an external requirement to sound a certain way, that's one thing. But, life is too short to restrict yourself with such internal requirements.

I got a 5-string because of the occasional "need" for those few lower notes, but thought I still "needed" the G-string. I was wrong. I didn't really require the G-string and the lower notes truly resonated with me. Then my BEAD experiment was a resounding success and soon spread to all 3 of my favorite basses!

Free your mind to explore "outside the box" of perceived "needs". Enjoy making music. Cultivate the human connections it can bring. (Please, pardon my soapbox.)

... ... If the situation changes (when doesn't it?), and I restring the instrument again, I might be back for a number. Meanwhile, enjoy playing on the bottom end of the low-end forum.

Fair enough, J. We'll look forward to your return.

 

[prndltech]

I converted this to BEAD a month or 2 ago. Love it!

 

[bassist4dalord]

I converted this to BEAD a month or 2 ago. Love it!

What strings did you use? Looks like a lovely bass.

It’s about time for new strings on my only electric bass, a Schecter Raiden Special-4. I’ve got Rotosound RS66 65-130 on it now. I’m looking at a set of singles from D’Addario built around a Tapered B-string. I’m just trying to decide if I want to go with Nickel or Stainless Steel, and if I want to start with a 145T or 135T. The rest of the set would be balanced and built off of the B.

I’ve been playing a lot of Alter Bridge lately (just at home) and Brian Marshall has one of his 5ers tuned BbEbAbDbGb. I like the idea of a little extra tension from the set I build so I can keep things under control if I tune down that half step, thus the reason I’m considering a 145T.

 

[Doner Designs]

Did some reading on B strings on TB and thought I'd summarise some conclusions regarding Tension, Feel and sound.
1. Tension . This is basically set in stone. If you want a greater tension you can
a/ increase the string unit weight
b/ increase the scale length
c/ increase the pitch.
Obviously option C is ruled out if tuning BEAD. Option B requires no comment. Option A does not necessarily mean an increase in gauge. Eg A rotosound 77 .110 is the same gauge as a Chrome .110 but has more lbf. Obviously differences in how the greater unit weight is achieved given the same gauge is involved.

2. Feeling .
a/ String stiffness
Is the string stiffer without any tension applied. Larger and or higher tensile core. Material around the core beneath windings, round core/hex core, flexibility
b/ bass construction variables given the same scale length. Neck thickness, head stock design ( fender type or back angled) to name a couple of things

3/ Sound
a/ heavy or light touch
b/ pickup placement, type, height

c/ manipulation via eq, effects, sound delivery ie cabs/ speakers/ headphones. Active/passive

d/ Sustain
i/string gauge, type and tension.
ii/The top loading vs string thru argument.
iii/Neck attachment method argument.

d/Timbre. Expression and arrangement of the harmonics. This is a mix of bass construction and string choices.

Think that about covers it.

If I have missed some aspects of what or what doesn't result in a good B or have some stuff wrong, please add or correct

I can't change my basses at the moment for a longer scale length for B. I plan on trying a more lbf string like a Roto 77 .130. The necks on my basses are pretty thick. Both fender style headstocks. I have tried a spacer, and didn't notice any difference in string feel. I will try getting the string winding down as far as possible on the post for a greater break angle at the nut. For now it's C#EAD for me which is where the B strings I have on feel the best for both my basses. Equivalent of having the .132 Chrome tuned to B0 at a 36" scale length. The .128 La Bella on my other bass would be B0 at a 38" scale length

Switching from rounds to flats of the same gauge will increase tension considerably as you probably know since your comment are about flats. I assume a lot of people in this group are using flats to get adequate tension on the B. I only use flats and only tune BEAD. Don’t have any use for a G string.

 

[prndltech]

What strings did you use? Looks like a lovely bass.

It’s about time for new strings on my only electric bass, a Schecter Raiden Special-4. I’ve got Rotosound RS66 65-130 on it now. I’m looking at a set of singles from D’Addario built around a Tapered B-string. I’m just trying to decide if I want to go with Nickel or Stainless Steel, and if I want to start with a 145T or 135T. The rest of the set would be balanced and built off of the B.

I’ve been playing a lot of Alter Bridge lately (just at home) and Brian Marshall has one of his 5ers tuned BbEbAbDbGb. I like the idea of a little extra tension from the set I build so I can keep things under control if I tune down that half step, thus the reason I’m considering a 145T.

You’re right, I forgot the most important aspect… STRINGS!

The modern vintage basses from John Files and Rob Elrick are outstanding.

Currently, this bass has D’Addario nickel wounds from the EXL170-5 pack. So 65, 80, 100 and 130. And because of this conversion there is no dead spots on the neck now, It sings!

I also have a fresh, unopened 5 string pack of chromes so eventually I may have to try the 65, 80, 100, and 132 B… but I like the sound of what’s on it at the moment. Oddly enough it is very “piano like”.