The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club

[ctmullins]

Very nice. Looks like the bridge pickup is pretty close to the Rickenbacker position, too. Bet that bass sounds truly thunderous.

Thanks! I didn't measure the pickup positions, just eyeballed them, but yeah, I intentionally placed the bridge pickup some little distance from the bridge. I'm loving it through my practice amp, but I haven't had a chance to open it up through the big rig yet.

 

[catcauphonic]

Just picked the Forte-X up today from Bass Northwest. Ryan made me a new nut, & strung 'er up BEAD with some Low Riders. Thumpa thumpa boom boom! I already know my downstairs neighbor is gonna hate it (he hates everything anyway.) Can I get a numbah?

 

[Sijjvra]

Well, here it is.

Boring ol' SX P-bass but I like boring old SX p-basses.

Modding it a little, as you can probably tell. Black bridge and tone/vol knobs. Also got some black machine heads from Rondo but they don't fit. Even though they're specifically for the Ursa models. SX "custom handmade" and all, meaning I don't think there is such a thing as "in spec" even for their own products and accessories.

Ah well. I'll get some black tuner keys on there eventually, and a black pickguard somehow, and it will be nice and stealthy.

For now this is good enough. Need to adjust the intonation for BEAD but I'll monkey with that tomorrow.

 

[FFTT]

If you should be on the list and I missed you, speak up.

Always room for new adoptees.

#1 FFTT

#2 Jay2U

#3 pacojas

#4 Stormchaser

#5 rydin4lifebass

#6 Exalt Bass

#7 mr. black

#8 Rocken 17

#9 DannyBob

#10 gadget10k

#11 ctmullins

#12 Grissle

#13 fjadams

#14 Sartori

#15 mech

#16 DannyBob

#17 Rugarr

#18 catcauphonic

#19 Sijjvra

 

[THUNDERGODX]

I have a 6 string that I modded to F#-B-E-A-D-G.

Sounds really good down to the third fret on the F#, then kinda flops out tone-wise.

Is there a better F# string that will get me down to the open tone?
I dont remember the brand or even the gauge of that thing, but other than the last 3 notes, I really like it.

 

[FFTT]

A "B" string normal tension is already floppy enough.

No idea what gauge you would use for F# above like 135's????

 

[Korladis]

F# I've heard of people using like 190 for. 135 is barely more than my B string (which is a 130).

 

[Rebopmass]

Hey guys BEADER here. My Rebop and Euro both tuned BEAD though i may go back to normal tuning on that one for options. I play in a band that does a lot of pop and country so i like having the B. One thing I've done diff than you guys is i use the DR Neons. Tension is a lil loose but I like it and find it more comfortable to play. Didn't need any set up or intonation tuning worked fine . I can almost get a fretless sound out of it and it has made me a better player. I can get great tones out of it and I can now dig in without losing tuning though u have to be precise with the floppy strings. I've actually had a few freinds change to the slightly floppy Feel as it very comfortable once you get used to it. And between my Eden EL my Behringer PreampEEL and my MXR 10 band I don't lose bottom end at all. It also may have to do with the pre amps I've matched to my pups in my bass

 

[snoopcat]

I'm ready to go BEAD on my short scale... Where do I get a "B"? (.130?). I just put new flats on (.050"-.105") and regret not getting a 5 string set.

 

[ctmullins]

www.bassstringsonline.com

Jason is a regular here; he is active in the Strings forum.

 

[snoopcat]

Thank you, I was looking at that site, but I was overlooking the page with single strings.

 

[FFTT]

I just buy a 5 string set and save the G for back-up in case I break one on my standard tuned basses.

Because a standard tension round wound B is still kinda rubber bandy as well as being a more aggressive sounding string, I've been thinking about trying a flat wound B or a whole set of flats running BEAD.

#1 FFTT

#2 Jay2U

#3 pacojas

#4 Stormchaser

#5 rydin4lifebass

#6 Exalt Bass

#7 mr. black

#8 Rocken 17

#9 DannyBob

#10 gadget10k

#11 ctmullins

#12 Grissle

#13 fjadams

#14 Sartori

#15 mech

#16 DannyBob

#17 Rugarr

#18 catcauphonic

#19 Sijjvra

#20 Rebopmass

#21 sfyjstgjh

 

[Korladis]

I can't imagine using a flatwound for low B. I mean, some people use it, but I prefer the bite of the round.

 

[ExaltBass]

I can't imagine using a flatwound for low B. I mean, some people use it, but I prefer the bite of the round.

... and I can't imagine using rounds now. On the whole I agree with that sentiment, and I've owned & used a BEAD bass for over 20 years, using rounds for more than half that time.

However, once I found the 'right-for-me' FW set I haven't looked back. IME, I've found that the B string / bridge synergy is critical, or it is nothing special sounding... Once I found the right match it became magical. For me, and that bass, it was the Babicz. I'm thinking the full-contact aspect of the bridge made all the difference. SOLID

For the record my strings are the Sadowsky Black Label Flats: 65-85-105-130 - with a Taper Core B string (from a standard FW 5 string set)... this set is currently in it's 4th year of use.

 

[Korladis]

... and I can't imagine using rounds now. On the whole I agree with that sentiment, and I've owned & used a BEAD bass for over 20 years, using rounds for more than half that time.

However, once I found the 'right-for-me' FW set I haven't looked back. IME, I've found that the B string / bridge synergy is critical, or it is nothing special sounding... Once I found the right match it became magical. For me, and that bass, it was the Babicz. I'm thinking the full-contact aspect of the bridge made all the difference. SOLID

For the record my strings are the Sadowsky Black Label Flats: 65-85-105-130 - with a Taper Core B string (from a standard FW 5 string set)... this set is currently in it's 4th year of use.

Cool bass.

Flats sound cool when other people use them, but when I do, they just sound like dead rounds to me. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I also don't like the way they feel. Other people do, and that's fine.

Right now I'm using D'Addario XLs, .130 gauge low B. I've thought about taper core before, but I think the way I play, it might snap it, given how hard I smack that low B when I'm using my BEAD bass. I think the full contact bridge helps, though. The whole bass vibrates a ton on the low B notes.

 

[ExaltBass]

I think the full contact bridge helps, though. The whole bass vibrates a ton on the low B notes.

The bent bridge and others I tried all 'sucked the tone' out of the B. I think it's the combo... tapered B and full contact that make the magic. I wish you were closer so you could try mine...

 

[Korladis]

Maybe. I'd feel bad if I broke it, though. The string, I mean.

My bass has a BadassII bridge. It works well, and is quite easy to adjust. My whole bass is a lot better after the mods, though I still intend to get new tuners eventually, and possibly see if there's anything I can do to add weight to the body.

 

[ExaltBass]

Maybe. I'd feel bad if I broke it, though. The string, I mean.

My bass has a BadassII bridge. It works well, and is quite easy to adjust. My whole bass is a lot better after the mods, though I still intend to get new tuners eventually, and possibly see if there's anything I can do to add weight to the body.

I went through bent bridge with steel, brass and Tusq saddles, Hipshot (my preferred usually), BA II... (think that's all) I wouldn't worry about the tapered... BUT, - If you are happy with what you have - all is good! I was on the flats crusade... I'm not recruiting.

 

[Korladis]

I went through bent bridge with steel, brass and Tusq saddles, Hipshot (my preferred usually), BA II... (think that's all) I wouldn't worry about the tapered... BUT, - If you are happy with what you have - all is good! I was on the flats crusade... I'm not recruiting.

I am pretty happy with what I have.

Eventually I want to get another bass for BEAD. I feel weird having only one in this tuning, being at a gig with no backup. I'm paranoid, I suppose.

Also I have serious GAS for a white Rickenbacker 4003 tuned to BEAD. If I do eventually get one, my Peavey will become the backup.

 

[ExaltBass]

I feel weird having only one in this tuning, being at a gig with no backup.

LOVE IT!