The59Sound Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Went over Cochise at rehearsal and my guitarist told me for that song I should be using a 5 string or alternatively restring my Jazz BEAD. Apart from gaining 5 extra notes, what advantages are there to stringing a 4 string bass BEAD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 One of the main reasons IMO, is that if you're a 4 string player, you don't have to 'get used to' the extra neck width of a 5 string. Another reason is that if you have more than one bass at your disposal, then you can save yourself the expense (and hassle) of finding another bass that you need to get used to. New strings are cheaper than new basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 I used this technique about 10 years ago in a Blues band who's singer tended to sing in D and G. It proved most effective. I had to widen the slots of the nut a smidgen and take off a bit of tension on the truss rod as there is less pull with these strings. I had no probs going back to EADG either. If it works for you, then why not? G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 6 hours ago, The59Sound said: Went over Cochise at rehearsal and my guitarist told me for that song I should be using a 5 string or alternatively restring my Jazz BEAD. Apart from gaining 5 extra notes, what advantages are there to stringing a 4 string bass BEAD? Do you play it as in the original version (Audioslave)? I used to play it with a 4-string and standard tuning... Guitarists say a lot of things, always worth listening, not always worth acting on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, mcnach said: I must admit, I thought the same and did the same. Unless the singer needs to sing it in a different key.... Edited January 2, 2018 by Urban Bassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 The B in the middle 8 is an open Low B on the original recording. I used to tune 4 strings down to BEAD, as I was in a metal band who tuned to drop B, but I don't get on with drop tunings. After leaving that band, I kept at least one bass tuned like that, as I found it was like having the advantages of a five string, but with the feel of a four. These days, I just play five strings instead 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 4 hours ago, Graham said: The B in the middle 8 is an open Low B on the original recording. I used to tune 4 strings down to BEAD, as I was in a metal band who tuned to drop B, but I don't get on with drop tunings. After leaving that band, I kept at least one bass tuned like that, as I found it was like having the advantages of a five string, but with the feel of a four. These days, I just play five strings instead 🤣 Ah, that's possible. I would have certainly been playing the higher B during the middle bit... It sounded good 'though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 we do one song in drop D. I stopped downtuning, not worth it for one song, I just play the D on the 10th fret E string or 5th fret A string, songwriter hasn't noticed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 You can get a drop D tuning easily with a D tuner, costs about £70 and means you can easily flip in and out. if you really wanted you can fit 4 of them and drop every String to your desired tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) 16 hours ago, mcnach said: Do you play it as in the original version (Audioslave)? I used to play it with a 4-string and standard tuning... Guitarists say a lot of things, always worth listening, not always worth acting on. I always thought it was played in standard too, but looking at some live footage and Tim's hand position during the riff, it would appear it is in fact played in BEAD. It actually looks a lot easier to play in that tuning now I look at it. Well I never! Edited January 3, 2018 by Johnny Wishbone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 16 hours ago, mcnach said: Do you play it as in the original version (Audioslave)? I used to play it with a 4-string and standard tuning... Guitarists say a lot of things, always worth listening, not always worth acting on. The first 2 Audioslave albums the bass is in bead. The third one I don't think is as Revelations is in drop D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I've always played it in standard, it's an easy enough riff...no complaints from anyone. I had a monster BEAD bass for a while, but I never really used it much, so I moved it on. Oh, and I don't like 5s...as for the guitarist telling me stuff I should do, I generally smile, nod, and just get on with it. They usually find something else to worry about quite quickly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I'm glad I moved exclusively to fives, much less effort than swapping basses, swapping tunings, fitting D tuners and relearning to play around the new positions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Just to throw another cat into the pigeon coop: I've often toyed with the idea of having a BEAD bass, but then of course the next logical step is to consider a four that shifts in the opposite direction! Does anybody ever tune ADGC, or are we starting to get too close to baritone guitar territory by that point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 26 minutes ago, EliasMooseblaster said: Just to throw another cat into the pigeon coop: I've often toyed with the idea of having a BEAD bass, but then of course the next logical step is to consider a four that shifts in the opposite direction! Does anybody ever tune ADGC, or are we starting to get too close to baritone guitar territory by that point? I think that E string is too useful to lose it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 4 hours ago, Cuzzie said: You can get a drop D tuning easily with a D tuner, costs about £70 and means you can easily flip in and out. if you really wanted you can fit 4 of them and drop every String to your desired tuning. I have those in two of my basses, very useful. But not good enough if you want a low B. Great tool but it has its limitations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Yup, all my basses have one. It's as low as I need to go. Despite what the guitard might think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 @mcnach haven’t they brought out a double drop? not used it personally so can’t comment on how good, but this could be a solution https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-xtenders/products/doublestop-lever-addon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Oooo, I might give one of those a go...thanks for that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Give us a nudge if you do and let me know how it performs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Having a 130 string tuned to B is one thing, dropping a 100 to D is ok but dropping a 100 to low B will be useless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 easy Enough to go DR DDT strings heavy or extra heavy and file the nut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Cuzzie said: @mcnach haven’t they brought out a double drop? not used it personally so can’t comment on how good, but this could be a solution https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-xtenders/products/doublestop-lever-addon Hmmm, cool idea... but if I detune my E to B, that doesn't feel very good. And the interval between that and the A string is a little big to play things comfortably. I vote "not entirely convinced" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 @mcnach they have D tuners with the dial on the Treble side so you could flip everything down. i know it’s a lot but it could work, and 4 d tuners are less expensive than a whole new bass probably. Or getbthe new Schecter Apocalypse Baritone 4 String bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Try detuning all your normal strings down to BEAD and see how it plays, like crap I'll wager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.