• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tuning a 4 string BEAD

whisper14072

whisper14072

May 16, 2008
338
20
Grand Island
#1
Ok... I have a yamaha RBX170 I was going to tune down to BEAD. I used to have a five string and had issues with the string spacing... I like having the low B but can't afford what a 5'er would cost to get one with the wide neck and string spacing I would need... I have big hands..lol...

To make a long post short.... would I need to have the bass re-set up for this or can I just put the strings on and tune down??

Thanks
 
#2
If you've initially set up your bass fir a standard tuning and go to BEAD, you might end up with more neck relief than before. The amount is really dependent on the neck. Depending on what you find, you might need to revisit the intonation as well.

Try it and leave the bass alone for a while (hours?) and see what the neck does.
 
#7
I'm considering doing the same thing. I just offloaded my 5er's and now I'm starting up a band that does a lot of D tunning stuff. (And for the record, yes I know about Dropped D tuning. Hate it!) I have an "Extra" Warwick Corvette FNA, and it needs a New Nut anyways. So I thought I'd give the B-E-A-D tuning a shot! Call it Son of Taranus! (It's Honey-Amber though!)

I have a set of .130 - .045 Slinkys. I'll set the .045 aside, "Adjust" the Just-A-Nut II as needed, and string this up! The action on this one is a Touch High, so it's probably pretty close for the looser strings. I'm counting on a Complete Setup being required, but I'm guessing this Beast comes out sounding pretty good!

I did something similar with a Peavey G-Bass. It worked Great. It was actually tuned to C# (Sabbath Tribute Project), and it was a 35" scale bass. So hopefully a 34" BEADed Warwick can handle Nickelback, Saliva, and the like!

I will update this on Monday...

Before:

DSC00023.gif
 
#10
I am using mine tuned to BEAD right now. I had a set of .125s so I put them on there and did the intonation and the Truss adjustment myself. Had to loosen the truss rod because of the lower tension on the strings.
I did it for the same reason, needed a low D but didn't have any cash. so I did all the work, and it sounds good.
 
#11
"Upgrade" went Flawlessly! All I had to do is change the strings. The .130 "B" sits in the Groove deep enough that I didn't have to file it wider, and the 1/4" action at the 12th fret was about perfect for this gauge string! I had to adjust the intonation on the "E" (2nd String!) string about a turn, but the rest are Spot On!

And the TON just came alive in this tonal range! Extra Bright!, But with DEEP NOTED AUTHORITY!!! Playing the Treble +3, Mid centered, and Bass +2. It's a Monster!!!

The "Extra FNA" just found it's Purpose in life...
 
#13
I did this on a P-Bass before I could afford to get a fiver. I purchased a P-Bass 5 string nut and simply intalled the nut and cut the g string part of the nut off. Then I ran the top 4 strings of a 5 string set. I did have to adjust the annotation slightly. This all worked perfectly.....
 
#16
I also found out that ESP LTD series basses have 19mm spacing on the 5-string models

I have played a Peavey TL-5 for a lot of years, and when I tried a nice Ibanez 5-string "Blue Moon", the narrow spacing drove me nuts. We switch off instruments 6 or 7 times in a gig due to the lead man needs a standard tuned guitar for his synthsizer and a d standard tuning for singing with (thats what happens when you get old guys)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back