onehappybunny Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha-Dave Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickThomas Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 +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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassJase Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onehappybunny Posted June 24, 2007 Author Share Posted June 24, 2007 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!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 Warwick Corvette Taranis - 4-string designed specifically to be strung B-E-A-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJ Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 (edited) [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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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