4 string B-E-A-D?

[onehappybunny]

During my latest bout of GAS I was thinking about either getting 5 stringer or maybe even just stringing a 4 string bass B-E-A-D ( as I don't tend to use the G string too much anyway...oooer missus!!)

Is the latter a really bad idea (i.e. likely to knacker the neck?) or would it just need some careful set up and truss rod adjustment.

Please let me know your thoughts

Thanks

Stu

[Alpha-Dave]

The lower 4 strings of a 5 string set will have the same tension more or less as your normal 4 string set, still you may need a slight trussrod tweak, but nothing major.

You may need to widen the slots of the nut though as the strings will be between 0.01 and 0.03" bigger.

[NickThomas]

If you have GAS, just go ahead and satisfy it

There's no reason why you couldn't string up a 4 string BEAD though .. you'll just need to open up the grooves on the nut a little , to take the larger gauge strings .

Buy a 5 string, you know you want to lol

[Hamster]

+1 on both the above. Depending on the bass you might not get piano like authority or clarity on the B, but it's still worth it.

Hamster

[BassJase]

I've thought of doing this myself on a 35" scale 4-string i have, and as long as you put on some decent gauge strings i reckon it'll be fine.
I think it La Bella that make the "Low Rider" string sets, which are especially heavy 4-string sets for down-tuning. I'm gonna try a 1.15/1.05/.85/.65 set and see what happens.

[onehappybunny]

Thanks guys for the replies

Jase - would be interested how you get on (b.t.w. you are the owner of the world's best avatar...that's one funky cat!)

[Mottlefeeder]

[quote name='onehappybunny' post='22210' date='Jun 22 2007, 11:35 PM']During my latest bout of GAS I was thinking about either getting 5 stringer or maybe even just stringing a 4 string bass B-E-A-D ( as I don't tend to use the G string too much anyway...oooer missus!!)

Is the latter a really bad idea (i.e. likely to knacker the neck?) or would it just need some careful set up and truss rod adjustment.

Please let me know your thoughts

Thanks

Stu[/quote]
I strung a fretless Warwick Corvette BEAD with LaBella Deep Talkin' strings and played it for a couple of years - I really enjoyed it. Warwick told me which Mk1 adjust-a-nut screw to replace, and sent me the replacement free. Meanwhile, I also worked on my technique on a 5-string fretted bass, and eventually upgraded to a 5-string fretless (also Warwick)

The bottom end definition on Corvettes means that they will work as EADG or BEAD no problem.

Hope this helps.

[The Funk]

Warwick Corvette Taranis - 4-string designed specifically to be strung B-E-A-D

[MoJ]

If it helps, Ive restrung my Ric B-E-A-D with no problems at all. Other than what others have said about re cutting the nut (I filed mine down with NUT files), the only other adjustment I needed to make was the intonation. Thats something else you'll need to do and is really easy to do.
Ive played a few (though not many) 5 strings before and after, but I just cant get on with the string spacing. Im sure Id get used to it eventually, and I know its not the neck because the Ric's neck is pretty chunky, and I actually prefer say the neck of a 5 string Stringray to a 4, but 4 strings just feels right to me.
Oh, and you've gotta keep reminding yourself that the lowest string isnt E anymore, four or five string! Even worse when the guitarists are drop B and Im 'standard' B...
Andy

EDIT: dumbass mistake on tool naming!!

Edited July 1, 2007 by MoJ

[MacDaddy]

[quote name='onehappybunny' post='22210' date='Jun 22 2007, 11:35 PM']During my latest bout of GAS I was thinking about either getting 5 stringer or maybe even just stringing a 4 string bass B-E-A-D ( as I don't tend to use the G string too much anyway...oooer missus!!)

Is the latter a really bad idea (i.e. likely to knacker the neck?) or would it just need some careful set up and truss rod adjustment.

Please let me know your thoughts

Thanks

Stu[/quote]

I asked something similar on the last incarnation of this site.

My MM Sub is now strung B-E-A-D with no probs, but I had to have the nut reshaped, and the B bridge saddle slightly grinded.

Edited July 1, 2007 by MacDaddy