B-e-a-d

**pan_of_qld** · 01-17-2006, 11:14 PM

Does anyone use these 4 only?
I find I'm using the B a lot and less and less G these days.

So what are the implications on using a B on a regular 4 string bass?
Pickup specs different?
Nut groove widening for sure.
Maybe even bridge not taking the wider strings.

**Steve Dude Barr** · 01-17-2006, 11:15 PM

#1 - You're not a pioneer.

**Psychicpet** · 01-18-2006, 01:15 AM

Ya, a good friend of mine just had his Sting Ray set-up for B-D mainly because he doesn't quite like the feel of 5s and plays lo most of the time. It's doing well for him so far and as for the "tension" question.... a 5 string neck does OK so a 4 string will be just as fine.

**Golem** · 01-18-2006, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Psychicpet

Ya, a good friend of mine just had his Sting Ray set-up for B-D mainly because he doesn't quite like the feel of 5s and plays lo most of the time. It's doing well for him so far and as for the "tension" question.... a 5 string neck does OK so a 4 string will be just as fine.

Sometimes you have to ream the hole for the lowest string on the bridge. Often as not, you have to file the nut. Don't worry about any tension increase cuz what you get is a decrease. A G-string is typically at 30% greater tension than a B-string. Worst case would be needing to shim the nut because deeper strings have greater excursion, but usually just adjusting the action is fully tends to that.

**higher1** · 01-18-2006, 08:14 AM

I have been stringing 4 bangers up like this for years. no real adjustment sans for the possibility of having to boar the bridge hole for the "B" a lil , and thats a very rare occasion. I have a * G wurd * explorer that is strung up like this now and its alot of fun to play. if you are used to 5 strings then jump to this, it will take some getting used to like anything new you try out.

have fun with it!!

**UKFIN** · 01-18-2006, 08:26 AM

If I'm not mistaken Billy Sheehan tunes B-E-A-D

**0557** · 01-18-2006, 10:15 AM

I recall some info on the bassist for Audioslave using a left handed neck on a right handed bass to give the B string better tension. I'll try to find it.

**mike not fat** · 01-18-2006, 10:18 AM

Yes, I'm also spending more and more time in BEAD those last month...

MNF

**82Daion** · 01-18-2006, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by UKFIN

If I'm not mistaken Billy Sheehan tunes B-E-A-D

He has a doubleneck with one neck tuned that way. Otherwise, he tunes standard or uses a 6-string.

**Colin** · 01-18-2006, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by pan_of_qld

Does anyone use these 4 only?
I find I'm using the B a lot and less and less G these days.

So what are the implications on using a B on a regular 4 string bass?
Pickup specs different?
Nut groove widening for sure.
Maybe even bridge not taking the wider strings.

It's great to see another Brisbanite posting on the forum, this must be the EB capital of Australia.

Colin

**bassmonkeee** · 01-18-2006, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Psychicpet

Ya, a good friend of mine just had his Sting Ray set-up for B-D mainly because he doesn't quite like the feel of 5s and plays lo most of the time. It's doing well for him so far and as for the "tension" question.... a 5 string neck does OK so a 4 string will be just as fine.

In most cases, a BEAD tuning will actually put less tension on a neck. The G string is usually the most high tension string on a neck. If anything, you'll need to loosen your truss rod, and not tighten it.

Just be careful to not break your nut.*

* wow....some advice really IS universal

**pattiejay** · 01-18-2006, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

It's great to see another Brisbanite posting on the forum, this must be the EB capital of Australia.

Colin

i certainly hope not!

where are the Sydneysiders!?

**pattiejay** · 01-18-2006, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

In most cases, a BEAD tuning will actually put less tension on a neck. The G string is usually the most high tension string on a neck. If anything, you'll need to loosen your truss rod, and not tighten it.

Just be careful to not break your nut.*

* wow....some advice really IS universal

i've actually considered doing this as well - BEAD is certainly appealing for me cos i can't afford a new bass (ie. 5-string) at the moment and my band plays alot of stuff from C to E...the only issue when stringing up BEAD appears to be the nut, if at all

so i can just slap on some 5-string Slinkies and have no probs?

**Lazybite** · 01-18-2006, 05:40 PM

I actually had a crack at detuning my e to b on my sterling last night and it sounded appalling (user error im sure...... so surely there would have to be some form of adjustments made... )

**higher1** · 01-18-2006, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Lazybite

I actually had a crack at detuning my e to b on my sterling last night and it sounded appalling (user error im sure...... so surely there would have to be some form of adjustments made... )

You need the girth of a 125 or 130 tuned @ 440 for this to be functional.
A regular E string tuned to B would be WAY too flappy.