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Wait… Does BEAD tuning for 4 string make more sense?

Chicken Wing

Chicken Wing

Mar 26, 2017
1,039
3,306
Earth
#1
Outside of my instrumental band, I hardly use the G string. Thinking I might try BEAD on a 4 string that I’m not really playing. Might need larger gauge strings and a setup.

Better to get a 5 string pack of strings (130 B) than just use my 105 and tune down? I don’t mind fat strings.
 
#5
Chicken Wing said:
Outside of my instrumental band, I hardly use the G string. Thinking I might try BEAD on a 4 string that I’m not really playing. Might need larger gauge strings and a setup.

Better to get a 5 string pack of strings (130 B) than just use my 105 and tune down? I don’t mind fat strings.
Click to expand...

michael_t said:
The Modified BEAD 4 String Bass Club
Click to expand...

Yeah, the usual way to go, is discard the G string from a 5 string set. There are heavy gauge 4 string sets, but they're usually marketed as "for down tuning". I had a set of the Warwick Black Label Low B strings on my '78 Kramer 450B lumie for a while. They certainly worked, but I took them off. I don't care for rounds much, and the pinned aluminum lefty nut on the Kramer is very hard to replace. So, I went BEAD on a different bass - an '06 Carvin LB-20. Worked much better... Anyhow, couple of things to consider:
- Nut. You will almost certainly have to open up at least the B string slot - and maybe a couple more. Not a problem with most basses, but it can be for some. My Kramer, for example. I thought about going this route with my Alembic Epic - until Mika at Alembic told me how much a new nut and saddles for it would cost...:wideyed: Another reason I went with the Carvin...
- Intonation. This may or may not be a problem for you. Lots of posts on the BEAD Club site from people for whom it was a problem, though. Depending on how the bridge was located on the bass, there may not be enough travel to intonate the B string; the saddle won't go back far enough. Most people who tried BEAD on a Fender bent plate bridge had no problem. Other bridges? Maybe yes; maybe no. The Hipshot A bridge on my Carvin would intonate - but it was very close to a "No"...
- The "Floppies". Common complaint on the BEAD Club site is a floppy B string. Very common if you use anything bigger than a 130 B. A 125 seems to be preferred by most people. I originally had La Bella Black Tapes on the Carvin - with a 135 B string. They worked, but the B string was just a hair too rubbery for me. When I replaced them with 65-130's from a 5 string set of Roto Monel Flats? B string was plenty stiff...
So, bottom line? By all means, try it. BEAD tuning does work very well for lots of people. I had the Carvin set up that way for a long time, but... it wasn't really useful for me, or what I like to play. I finally gave up; put a new nut on it; and strung it EADG with a set of NOS Sadowsky Blue Label flats. Both of us are a lot happier now, but for you? Only you can say...:thumbsup:
 
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#6
I have one of my 4 strings strung BEAD and I love it tone and feel wise more than any 5 string I've owned which included some decent Jackson and Spector 5 strings but I like the BEAD 4 string better for my purposes. I'd def go with fatter strings 5 string set or you can custom order single string sets on www.fretnation.com or they also sell a few brands of BEAD 4 string sets. I'd say try it out, it's not for everyone I see why a lot of players just prefer a good 5 string but for me the BEAD is awesome.
 
#7
GIBrat51 said:
- The "Floppies". Common complaint on the BEAD Club site is a floppy B string. Very common if you use anything bigger than a 130 B. A 125 seems to be preferred by most people. I originally had La Bella Black Tapes on the Carvin - with a 135 B string. They worked, but the B string was just a hair too rubbery for me. When I replaced them with 65-130's from a 5 string set of Roto Monel Flats? B string was plenty stiff.
Click to expand...
In my experience & opinion a heavier B is less “floppy” because of its higher tension. I use .145s and no flop or rubbery feel.
 
#8
If you play rounds you can custom order any gauge you want from Stringjoy in single sets.

Play what you like and play it the way you like. Most of the time I play on G it is an accent. I don’t play on B all that often but I do like the range. Honestly I could probably live with an A-D 2 string.
 
#9
BEAD drop tuning on my Yamaha TRBX504 with NYXL 40-100 bass string.

Yes, it is floopy on my action setup, 2.25mm on B(tune) , 2.0mm on E ,1.9mm on A and 1.8mm on D along with .015 neck relief.

Now i decide widen those nut slot to fit Dunlop SBN 65-125 set (through the G string....).
 
#11
Does anyone have pickup recommendations for BEAD on p bass? I currently use the Dunable D-split for p bass in BEAD. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] With my BEAD bass I really don't miss the G string, though I do have a Rick 4003S/5 too.
 
#15
I tried BEAD on my SUB for awhile. I used Dunlop strings made to down tune a 4. The B string was 120, the others were 100,80,60. I had to force the B into the nut with my thumb but the other strings fit fine, no worries. It played well but was only an experiment as I own a 5 anyway. I returned the SUB to EADG without issues. If your music or style calls for it no problem go for it,enjoy.
 
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