Which bass would you tune to BEAD?

[Msegbass]

Based on my (admittedly limited) experience doing BEAD tuning, I would go for a multi-scale option which is meant for BEAD tuning. It's probably excessive, and the reason I have a BEAD bass to begin with is because I just have a spare bass lying around, but I've really just not had much success with 34'' B strings in general. I recognize they do it for some people, and that's great, but they just don't do it for me. From the multi-scale options I have tried, it feels like that would be a better route in general for extended range basses.

A multi scale bass is a great idea but not an option right now for me.

 

[Msegbass]

.
See the BEAD Bass Club.

I went to BEAD as an experiment on my #2 bass, a 2009 CIJ Jaguar (Jazz neck & 2 Jazz pickups), fully expecting to go back to EADG after "trying" it for a while. Oh, but, NOooo-ooo! I loved it too much!! It became my #1! Couple years later, I tried it on my former #1 bass, a 2004 MIM P-Bass Special (Jazz neck & PJ pickups), too. I then had co-#1s!!!

Then I got a 2015 Starcaster (dual humbuckers) short scale that absolutely spoke to me. I resisted BEADing it for a couple years, but finally tried it with a .150 B string. My BEAD love was finally complete! The short scale Starcaster (in my avatar) is now my #1!
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Thanks for sharing. Many people seem to think 34" is too short for a low B. Glad to hear people have good results with short scale.

 

[Msegbass]

If you use it the lest often I'd go with it.

But what do you mean the pickups are weak? Do you have the pickups with the large pole pieces. Those were the factory pickups until '87ish I have five JBS with the large pole pickups and they are quite a bit loud with high output. Almost on par with the Dimarzio Model series.

My serial number says 1984-87. I believe it's the stock pickups. I'll do a back to back with my other basses to compare the output. Mine sounds "cheap". My other similar basses have lower lows, higher highs and notes are much clearer. I've played around with pickup heights and I couldn't get it to sound right. May not be the pickups fault if I can set it up better. I'll try to take a picture of the pickups

 

[Grahams Groove]

I'm beginning to think the P or Ric neck would be better than the jazz necks for this. Would the tension be different enough to need truss rod adjustment? I expected to do it but am curious how much different it will be

It sort of depends on the string gauges you land on and what you use for EADG currently. Generally, you'll have less neck tension tuning down to BEAD. So it would be wise to restring, tune, and then makes some adjustments. You may feel a noticeable lowering of your action or even a bit of backbow if you already setup pretty low/flat in EADG tuning.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

#4 + pickup upgrade....in your shoes, I'd be grabbing EMG-X's, but that just my opinion. If you wanted to stay passive, the DiMarzio Model P/J pickup set is absolutely brutal and sounds fantastic IME.

 

[Msegbass]

It sort of depends on the string gauges you land on and what you use for EADG currently. Generally, you'll have less neck tension tuning down to BEAD. So it would be wise to restring, tune, and then makes some adjustments. You may feel a noticeable lowering of your action or even a bit of backbow if you already setup pretty low/flat in EADG tuning.

Ok thank you

 

[Msegbass]

#4 + pickup upgrade....in your shoes, I'd be grabbing EMG-X's, but that just my opinion. If you wanted to stay passive, the DiMarzio Model P/J pickup set is absolutely brutal and sounds fantastic IME.

Ok thanks, any opinion on EMG GZR?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Ok thanks, any opinion on EMG GZR?

Haven't used them firsthand, but I hear good things...it will be more akin to a traditional passive P pickup, with more heat. Hookup will be easier IIRC, since EMG uses the solderless connectors, the DiMarzios are traditional style where the wire needs to be soldered. Tonally I'd say the GZR wouldn't be a bad bet...I'd still recommend the PJX set though, you'll want the extra clarity with a low B IMO.

 

[jamesblue]

I think the 80s Jazz bass with EMG Geezer pickup change tuned BEAD would be good.

Try the DR DDT (drop tune) strings 4 pack (65-125); Get the nut set up by a professional and have them install the strings, make shure to put BEAD as the tuning.

I've been using BEAD tuining for over 6 years and is my prefered tuning, I have a 5 string but the 4 string BEAD is more comfortable; spend a few weeks learing the notes on the neck and learn songs on the 4 string BEAD, you may need to play some songs in the 7th and 9th fret areas and find alternate fingering for bass parts.

With the EMG Geezer pickups and intonation set; it should sound very good.

 

[Rambo]

Depends on what style of music you are going for- I tried out a bunch of different basses BEAD for a doom band and ended up preferring the shorter scale Rickenbacker in that setting. One of the other basses I tried was a dingwall so I went the full spectrum of scale lengths. I do, however, think you might need a hipshot bridge replacement if your 4003 has the V1 bridge. I will say the note definition was superior on the dingwall but if the intension is to make things sound heavy the Rick will be great.

 

[logdrum]

4. mid '80s Fender jazz special: Black and white PJ like Duff. Good enough bass but probably least used. Pickups are a little weak and doesn't sound nearly as good as any other. Thinking of upgrading the pickups as well if I'm going to use it live.

My Jazz Bass Special is the gnarliest bass I had and the reason is the TBX tone pot. Do you always crank it full. Halfway is what other passive pots call full wide open and past halfway it possibly adds more upper mids and highs and possibly giving the impression that the pickups are week, In my case those pickups were hot, hotter than the Geezer set I replaced them with and the Geezer is not known as not high output as well.

Regardless -- I would probably use this bass. I find that a bridge pickups gives low B more definition. Stick a Geezer PJ in it and you'll be in business, but I suggest try changing the strings first play with pickups height and the TBX tone knob

 

[sikamikanico]

Rick or PJ. I'd first try the PJ, simply because it's not doing anything now. I'd check out the electronics, see what's up with that. It may not need new parts, but if you end up replacing pots, I'd minimize the loading for max treble. For pickup replacement, I think DiMarzio Model P, GZR, or Wilde PJ would offer a few strong alternatives with different flavors and reasonable cost.

For Rick, I simply like what that bridge pickup location does for a B string. A reverse P would also work well, but that would require more modification than is worth. Tho a nice reverse PJ could be killer for this.

Edit: good points above on bridge compatibility. One solution might be a tapered B string, I believe you don't have to move the saddles that far back.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Me personally, I bought a Peavey Millennium USA, which is a 35" scale length 4 string. It sounds great, but, if I'm being completely honest, it could use a string tree across E string for a little better break angle.

 

[Water buffalo]

I owned a Peavey G Bass; 4 strings, 35" scale, graphite neck and great pickup/preamp. I kept it set up as BEAD.

It was killer.

 

[Curtbass]

I have two precisions set up this way for a metal band that I was playing with where they used seven string guitars. Never had any sound issues and got many compliments on tone. Used Ernie ball flatwounds. I would recommend the precision based on my experience.

 

[MynameisMe]

I would do one of the P basses. Only because I've always wanted a 5 string P bass and this seems like a shortcut.

 

[Slevage]

I could use a low B string with the music I'm currently playing. I haven't played a 5 string that felt comfortable to me yet and I'm also not in a position to buy a new bass. I do however like to justify owning the basses I do own.

In your opinion/experience which of these basses would be best to tune to BEAD?

1. 2011 Fender Jazz bass: My lightest, most comfortable and best sounding bass. Would like to keep it in standard tuning because I use this one the most.

2. 2005 Fender Precision: Currently strung with chromes sounds great. Has the s1 switch which I think would help keep low notes clear and prevent them from being too "boomy". No bridge pickup may be a con.

3. 2016 Ric 4003w: Great bass. I don't really play it because much in the bands I'm in because I have a hard time getting it to sit where I like in the mix in a bigger band. I use it in a trio.

4. mid '80s Fender jazz special: Black and white PJ like Duff. Good enough bass but probably least used. Pickups are a little weak and doesn't sound nearly as good as any other. Thinking of upgrading the pickups as well if I'm going to use it live.

Willing to take any other advice the experts here have to offer. Thank you!

 

[Slevage]

My Modulus 5 and 6 stringers had the best B string sound of any bass I've owned
(Except my NS EUB). I strongly feel the 35" snd 42" scale length factored into the results).
If you can get a 35" four stringer, that would be a good start.

 

[mikewalker]

I'd say 3 or 4 : "whatever bass you currenty use the least"... really, with the right strings any bass will be fine. My first BEAD tuned bass was a 30 inch scale headless about 35 years ago - using whatever generic RS66 (etc) stringset was around at the time. It played and sounded fabulous with some minor setup tweaking. I would have kept it that way except I was doing a lot of session work and was far too lazy to transpose all the time

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I could use a low B string with the music I'm currently playing. I haven't played a 5 string that felt comfortable to me yet and I'm also not in a position to buy a new bass. I do however like to justify owning the basses I do own.

In your opinion/experience which of these basses would be best to tune to BEAD?

1. 2011 Fender Jazz bass: My lightest, most comfortable and best sounding bass. Would like to keep it in standard tuning because I use this one the most.

2. 2005 Fender Precision: Currently strung with chromes sounds great. Has the s1 switch which I think would help keep low notes clear and prevent them from being too "boomy". No bridge pickup may be a con.

3. 2016 Ric 4003w: Great bass. I don't really play it because much in the bands I'm in because I have a hard time getting it to sit where I like in the mix in a bigger band. I use it in a trio.

4. mid '80s Fender jazz special: Black and white PJ like Duff. Good enough bass but probably least used. Pickups are a little weak and doesn't sound nearly as good as any other. Thinking of upgrading the pickups as well if I'm going to use it live.

Willing to take any other advice the experts here have to offer. Thank you!

#2