Tuning a bass to BEAD

[Ripper91]

Having just got my fender jag I'm thinking of getting one of my other 2 basses ( A squire P/J bass or an Epiphone Thunderbird) strung to BEAD this way I can justify keeping all my basses as the other one can be used as a backup :smug.
Which bass do you guys think would be best suited to BEAD, I'm thinking the thunderbird?

Is this something I could easily do myself or am I better off giving the bass to someone who knows what they're doing? I guess the nut will just need some modification and the truss rod would need adjusting?

Cheers

 

[John Deacon]

I think youre right. You will need to file the nut, and i have no idea about the truss rod, but do to the different gauge, it wouldnt hurt.

 

[kerley]

I would do it myself but then I have a go at everything, whether I have the ability or not!
May need to also make an adjustment to bridge to hold the bigger strings, all depends what the bridge is like I suppose.

 

[fitzy73]

i played a thunderbird with BEAD tuning , its not too bad ,the action was high too stop buzzing ,but if you get the right guage strings it should be ok . the only thing i would look out for is neck drive on the thunderbird .

 

[VisualShock]

buy a 5 string set and ignore the top G

 

[nrssab]

buy a 5 string set and ignore the top G

yes, then you put them on you're thunderbird (I think that the B would sound better on a Thunderbird than on a PJ) and see how it plays. You would only need to adjust the trussrod if you see that its really necessary.

Good luck!

 

[Skygoneblue]

If you're comfortable adjusting your own truss rod, bridge, and possibly filing the nut, then go for it. In my experience, you will probably have to do a fair amount of setup after the transition.

I used to play a 4-string Yamaha RBX strung with heavy gauge strings to tune C#-G#-C#-F#, and even that forced me to adjust my truss rod and bridge saddles, etc.

 

[Ripper91]

If you're comfortable adjusting your own truss rod, bridge, and possibly filing the nut, then go for it. In my experience, you will probably have to do a fair amount of setup after the transition.

I used to play a 4-string Yamaha RBX strung with heavy gauge strings to tune C#-G#-C#-F#, and even that forced me to adjust my truss rod and bridge saddles, etc.

What sort of adjustment are we looking at on the bridge?

 

[Parabolic Box]

Intonation. You'll have to loosen your truss rod a little after the switch.

 

[Ripper91]

I think i'm settled on doing it to the Epi, it needs a restring anyway, can anyone recomend me some 5 string sets though? I'm not sure about gauge when it comes to low Bs.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

+1 to the bridge/nut/truss setup.

I have my POS 4 string ibanez knockoff strung BEAD (it never gets used due to the fact I have an SX Jazz 5 ). I use D'addario flats, 132 gauge B. If you want rounds, 125 seems to be the standard. I know if I ever see a 125 gauge B in flats im gonna pick em up

Good luck

 

[Ripper91]

+1 to the bridge/nut/truss setup.

I have my POS 4 string ibanez knockoff strung BEAD (it never gets used due to the fact I have an SX Jazz 5 ). I use D'addario flats, 132 gauge B. If you want rounds, 125 seems to be the standard. I know if I ever see a 125 gauge B in flats im gonna pick em up

Good luck

Alright cheers I will invest in some strings as soon as I can afford it (which sadly I don't think will be for a while)

 

[God of Rapture]

On my 4 string spector I had to file the nut and the bridge to fit the strings.

 

[Skygoneblue]

Intonation. You'll have to loosen your truss rod a little after the switch.

Intonation yes, and saddle height. With your truss rod moving your neck, and thicker strings naturally being closer to the fretboard, you'll have to adjust how the bridge holds your string (especially if you had very low action before you switched).

 

[DrPete]

Definately will need to have the string slots in the nut resized and a full set up, truss rod, intonation and action redone. It's not a huge task if you are confident with your own skills.

 

[Solarmist]

The nut will need filing - maybe loosen truss rod slightly (if needed) - maybe raise saddles slightly (if needed) - intonation for sure.

 

[D.Don]

I will get back my Ibanez Musician 1979 tomorrow from the luthier after a BEAD mod, changed the nut, and he checks tension on rod etc.

Don't forget to think about the string tension, I use d'addario half rounds, and found that if I go from medium light (EADG) to medium and add a .130 B string, the tension will still be firm and nice the way I like it, in fact, in theory according to d'addario's tension sheets, I will have more tension with that setup.



D.Don

 

[sasebastian]

With the cost of a 5-string set so high now, I recommend getting a custom set. When I used to tune my 4 to BEAD I found a 5-string set I liked and called the company to order the set without the G. The cost came in higher than a 4 set, but cheaper than the 5 set, saving some cash. Some companies will make you go through a dealer, others you can buy direct.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Actually, now that I think about it, BEAD is what Coal Chamber's bassists used, and was the original reason I tuned BEAD....

The tunings ive gone thru (in order):
Guitar:
EADGBE
DADGBE
DGCFAD
CGCFAD
BEADF#B
AEADF#B
Then on to bass:
EADG (I figured "what the hell, the low A I was using is the same as the A on a bass")
DADG
BEAD (Coal Chamber infulence)
BEADG (got a 5er)
AEADG
ADADG (experimenting...)
ADGCF

Notice a pattern?

 

[nrssab]

Actually, now that I think about it, BEAD is what Coal Chamber's bassists used, and was the original reason I tuned BEAD....

The tunings ive gone thru (in order):
Guitar:
EADGBE
DADGBE
DGCFAD
CGCFAD
BEADF#B
AEADF#B
Then on to bass:
EADG (I figured "what the hell, the low A I was using is the same as the A on a bass")
DADG
BEAD (Coal Chamber infulence)
BEADG (got a 5er)
AEADG
ADADG (experimenting...)
ADGCF

Notice a pattern?

Which guitar and strings did you use for AEADF#B?

I know its not a guitar forum but im curious...