Tuning to BEAD instead of EADG?

[uvacom]

Hey, I'm a guitar player and I'm thinking of getting a bass at some point in the sort-of-near future (Bongo, probably). One thing I'm having difficulty with is deciding whether to get a 4-string or a 5-string. After much consideration, I've decided that the ideal for me would be a 4-string tuned to BEAD. I don't think I'd really need that high G string but I would like to get those deep low bass tones.

I guess my question is, are there any problems with doing that? I'm assuming the nut would have to be re-cut for the bigger strings, and the truss rod tension would need to be adjusted, and the intonation reset. Would there be any other complications?

 

[dlloyd]

Hey, I'm a guitar player and I'm thinking of getting a bass at some point in the sort-of-near future (Bongo, probably). One thing I'm having difficulty with is deciding whether to get a 4-string or a 5-string. After much consideration, I've decided that the ideal for me would be a 4-string tuned to BEAD. I don't think I'd really need that high G string but I would like to get those deep low bass tones.

I guess my question is, are there any problems with doing that? I'm assuming the nut would have to be re-cut for the bigger strings, and the truss rod tension would need to be adjusted, and the intonation reset. Would there be any other complications?

I have my stingray tuned to BEAD. I'll be retuning to EADG in the near future. In my opinion, the B string is a lot less useful than the G.

I'd suggest you get the bass first and use it for a while before really considering retuning.

If the bass you buy is an MM more than a couple of years old, you'll also need to replace the saddles.

 

[wraithwrider]

Where the extra 5 notes are a good enough reason for a B string I think that's missing the real point of it.

I agree that the G string is pretty vital. Having the B does give you the low options as you mentioned but it also allows you to move your scales, arpeggios and riffs down without going into open string territory.

I've just, by a week, gone seriously into playing 5 string (blame my 5HS Bongo ) and would recommend it.

Peter

 

[ibanez2005]

I bought a SUB5 5 string and the 5 string bass is a must for any bass player.


And happy new year everyone.

 

[adouglas]

To address some of your specific questions, the nut may or may not need to be filed. Yes, you will need to adjust the truss rod and re-intonate. You may also have to adjust saddle height.

But I'm with the others....the notes below low E on the B string aren't used very much. They can sound earth-shattering when soloed, but they get lost in the mix easily in a band situation and it just muddies things up.

The best uses of the B string are to open up your options for fingering by being able to play your scales farther up the neck, and to be able to transpose down (very useful as you get older and can't sing as high anymore).

Why are you looking to go 4 string instead of 5? Is it a neck size issue?

I have small hands and found that adjusting to the 5 string was a piece of cake. A 6 is too wide for me, but 5s are no problem at all.

 

[barkatozz]

Ross Valory of Journey tunes his bass B-E-A-D.

 

[uvacom]

Maybe I should mention that one big reason I want a bass is to play dub raggae? I'm a studio musician, I don't play in a band. I would like to someday, but as a guitar or keyboard player.

I want a 4 string because it seems easier and more fun to play. I'm not sure if I'll ever be a really serious bass player and I'd rather not get more instrument than I need. Plus I'm a leftie but I play right handed, so the extra spacing between the strings could do me a little good.

Well, it sounds like there aren't any real complications to tuning a bass to BEAD, it's just an issue of whether it's a useful tuning or not. So I think here's what I'll do - get a used 4 string, play it in standard EADG tuning for a little bit, and see if it goes low enough for me. If I need to go lower, I'll tune it to BEAD and see if that works out better. If I miss the G, I'll trade up to a 5 string.

 

[dlloyd]

Dub is about tone and the mix, not pitch. All the classic dub stuff was played on standard tuned basses, but EQ'd to give that deep dubby tone. Most of the newer roots dub stuff is still played on standard tuned basses.

Check out some envelope filters and turn the sensitivity right down... instant dub tone. I use a digitech FX25 envelope filter for this.

I've heard some really good things about the Bongo HH for reggae.

 

[jlepre]

Ross Valory of Journey tunes his bass B-E-A-D.

I was wondering how he was getting those low D's on the Revelation CD/DVD I just bought. Very nice if there are any Journey fans out there.

 

[Russel]

I too prefer 5ers. I find that playing in horn keys is a bit easier and less painful with the addition of Eb and C, but that's jazz lab stuff. It makes it easier to use keyboard basslines, too. All that stuff about playing across the neck is dead on.


But I think your decision to start with a four and move around is probably a wise one-4's are manageable and playable.

 

[RobertB]

Where the extra 5 notes are a good enough reason for a B string I think that's missing the real point of it.

I agree that the G string is pretty vital. Having the B does give you the low options as you mentioned but it also allows you to move your scales, arpeggios and riffs down without going into open string territory.

I've just, by a week, gone seriously into playing 5 string (blame my 5HS Bongo ) and would recommend it.

Peter

I know it's a little off point, but I agree with you here, wraithwrider. Alot of folks don't give much or any consideration to that benefit of a 5'er, thinking only about the additional 5 notes. I find it to be of great benefit to have 15 scale tones (2 full octaves) available to you in a single position without having to shift at all (assuming 3 note per string technique), rather than just the 12 a 4 gives you. That's a benefit you can get in any position/register on the board, having nothing directly to do with the 5 additonal notes the low B gives you.

Yet and still .... I'm back in the "explore more with 4" phase at the present time.

 

[RobertB]

Ross Valory of Journey tunes his bass B-E-A-D.

Timmy C of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave does, too.

 

[Russel]

Timmy C of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave does, too.

I believe he used left handed necks upside down too, for better tension. Or at least, that's what I've heard. As well as, of course, a B-string.

Perhaps he strung his bass through-body?

 

[oli@bass]

I find it to be of great benefit to have 15 scale tones (2 full octaves) available to you in a single position without having to shift at all

I generally just play one note at a time.
And shifting is something I do with gears in the car..

 

[RobertB]

I generally just play one note at a time.
And shifting is something I do with gears in the car..

Given the source, I suspect total sarcasm. But just in case, what I mean is that with a 5, you have easy access 15 notes in the key of x without having to "shift" - that is, without having to move your hand lengthwise along the neck to get to any of them. So, 15 scale tones in one "position". I know I'm asking for it with that one.

 

[KennethB]

Wink

Given the , I supect total !....

So oli, you're saying that you never play chords or what???... (again)

 

[strummer]

uvacoom, just do it!
It's your idea of a bass, so go for it, the possible filing of the nut is the only thing that is of any consequence at all, and as a guitar player I'm sure you're used to replacing (of having replaced) worn out nuts.

 

[oli@bass]

So oli, you're saying that you never play chords or what???... (again)

Bah. Chords schmortz. That's guitard's stuff!



Back to being serious: Actually, yes, I love to play chords (but hardly ever have a use for them in band context), and I am aware that you can do a lot more in a single position on a five string, however, it never really grew on me, and I prefer to move along the neck for different notes, also because of the tone. Some lines are indeed easier to play on a 5 string, it's just not that much of an issue for me.

 

[Nodd]

I have my left handed Bongo HS tuned BEAD.
No problems after the initial set up, just a little filing of the nut.
It sounds terrific.

One of the bands I play in, blues type, has a singer who prefers the key of G.
So the tuning really gives more options.
I also reckon the more contemporary design of the Bongo is better suited to this, there is no way I'd have strung my '75 P that low.

I may make the leap to a 5er, but for the moment a Fender P in EADG and the Bongo in BEAD gives me more options and more range below the geetarist.

Nodd