BEAD tuning

[X the Dead Pawn]

Well for my next bass I'm thinking of getting either a set neck epiphone EB3 or a bolt on Squier VM P bass or Squier VM TB p bass or epi EB0 or Epi Thunderbird

 

But, I'm wondering if I strung it BEAD (a set or bolt on neck bass) what are the effects on the long term life of the bass?

 

Mainly will it warp/bow the neck (If a bolt on or if set)? Will the nut need replacing? Will the bridge need replacing? Will the pickups need raising (To get the most from the B string)?

 

Any help is needed, wanted, and appreciated.

 

:poke:

(^ that's what it's like inside my head when I think this hard)

[DevilRaysFan]

Paging T-Broom

[dedpool1052]

dont go for the eb3 as it is a short-scale bass and the low strings will be floppy and muddy. the squier vm p-bass or epi thunderbird would be your best bet. of course going to a heavier guage of strings you will need to make some adjustments. you will need to either filer the nut, replace it to accomodate the heavier strings. as far as long term effects, i dont really see any issues that might occure with the neck.

[GRANKOR]

The VM Telebass strung BEAD will sound like mud, tuned EADG I had trouble cutting through. I sold mine but it was a very nice bass

[X the Dead Pawn]

Thanks for the help dedpool.

 

Grankor when you say mud do you mean Cream style mud or you know mud mud. Basically is the TB p bass a one trick pony?

 

P.S. Who the Hell is TBroom?

[xbassman]

Hey X,

 

I would say just go with a bass you like the sound of.

I am not a fan of Tele Basses or EB0/EB3's either because of the mudbucker pickup.

 

I have a P/J bass that I setup BEAD and I love it.

Actually the only thing I really had to do IIRC was to run the strings back and forth through the nut slots so they seated properly. (graphtek nut)

The neck didn't even need a truss tweak.

 

Of course your mileage may vary depending on string choice, but in my case tensions were similar to the EADG set I pulled off.

[X the Dead Pawn]

The thing is though I too have a P/J bass. And while I love her and she is very versatile I sorta want to keep her strung in DADG with the E string tuned D. I just like her too much too do anything except swap the P pickup for a QPd'er. I still haven't even done that yet.

 

Part of me is really a fan of that Mudbucker Sidewinder pickup sound I don't know what it is I just sorta am drawn to that. But, since its a Set neck droptuning will be a pain and could damage it from what I read in the forums.

 

What do you guys suggest I try doing?

Get a 5'er or just add a string to one of the basses I plan on getting?

[Thunderbroom]

 

P.S. Who the Hell is TBroom?

 

 

Me.

[X the Dead Pawn]

Oh crap sorry dude.

 

I'm wondering if you could answer me if the G string is really needed in basslines for Metal and punk and {censored} cause I feel I RARELY need them.

I've got my RBX170 tuned DADG and I thought I could get another bass string it up BEAD and use it for my metal stuff.

 

Do you do any metal and know if this works? (Slipknots bassist uses a BEAD tuned bass that's where the idea came from btw)

[mrcrow]

the bass has some facility to carry different gauges

what notes you play can be accommodated by changing gauge

i see nothing wrong with stringing up whatever you need so long as you dont compromise the mechanics and sonics of the instrument and dont overstress the neck..which i dont think we can really do with a bit of steel there holding it all together

the bolt shear is assisted by friction in the neck pocket

next comes your gear..how low will it go...that is your bass-ment note

click

[Thumper]

My '79 Franken-P/J is tuned BEAD with the bottom four strings from a Fender round wound set.

 

There are a couple set-up issues. You'll need to re-cut the nut to accommodate the heavier gauge strings---they won't seat properly in the nut and cause intonation problems if you don't. You'll also have to adjust the truss rod to compensate for the higher string tension.

 

I had to shim the neck pocket on my bass, as it has a Gotoh 201 bridge and the thicker base plate made a shim necessary to get the action where I wanted it.

 

As for your choice of bass, stick with a long scale 34" bass. Medium or short scale will sound and play like crap. Go with the T-bird.

 

Having said al that, it's a pretty easy conversion. Good luck!

[X the Dead Pawn]

Cool guys thanks

[zachoff]

I just did this a few weeks ago. I was told at the store to use a lighter 5 string set, 125-40, instead of the more "normal" 135-45 because of tension issues. My bass, an SX P, is still settling into the strings, but it plays pretty well and sounds good. I did have to perform a complete setup and also mess with the pickup heights. I just used the strings to widen the nut and it seems to be fine.

 

So, no replacements of anything should be required. Just a complete set up and a widening of the string slots in the nut.

[X the Dead Pawn]

MMMmmm sounds like I proably shouldn't string it 65-85-105-130 then?

[knuckle_head]

I just did this a few weeks ago. I was told at the store to use a lighter 5 string set, 125-40, instead of the more "normal" 135-45 because of tension issues. My bass, an SX P, is still settling into the strings, but it plays pretty well and sounds good. I did have to perform a complete setup and also mess with the pickup heights. I just used the strings to widen the nut and it seems to be fine. So, no replacements of anything should be required. Just a complete set up and a widening of the string slots in the nut.

 

They offered up misinformation.

 

I know of very few sets beyond mine that give balanced tension - and if they were balanced tension then it wouldn't matter ultimately as a B string would pull the same as a G string.

 

A .135 will have less tension at B than a .045 at G.

 

Edit - this might help; www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

[zachoff]

They offered up misinformation. I know of very few sets beyond mine that give balanced tension - and if they were balanced tension then it wouldn't matter ultimately as a B string would pull the same as a G string. A .135 will have less tension at B than a .045 at G. Edit - this might help; www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

 

Huh... So, what string set would you recommend from your site? It's a 34" scale. I'll probably keep it BEAD because I like it.

[knuckle_head]

For BEAD there are 4 string sets that go .135 .100 .075 .055

 

I'm revamping sets as I have more gauges to choose from now, but the .100 E feels pretty good and it does balance well.

[GRANKOR]

 

Thanks for the help dedpool. Grankor when you say mud do you mean Cream style mud or you know mud mud. Basically is the TB p bass a one trick pony? P.S. Who the Hell is TBroom?

 

 

Cream mud with the tone up full or sludgy complete lack of definition with the tone rolled off. I still don't think it would be good for BEAD, the B string would sound terrible I think

[zachoff]

 

For BEAD there are 4 string sets that go .135 .100 .075 .055 I'm revamping sets as I have more gauges to choose from now, but the .100 E feels pretty good and it does balance well.

 

 

Gotcha... I'll check out your site for sure... I'll have to get a .125 set though. I agree with the 100 E being best, but the .125 B string barely fit through the hole in my bridge and I don't want to do any metal drilling... I had to get pliers and yank it through.

[knuckle_head]

I get that - if you use a file it's safer, but nudging down is certainly easier.

 

Report back whichever way you go.

 

[X the Dead Pawn]

Well, I went to GC and my local shop but, so far the vintage modified p sucked, IMO so did the Epibird. But the Laguna MM24's pickup sounded incredibly good for the $199 price tag turns out it was a alinco and it was the loudest Pickup I ever heard and it's passive.

 

But the front runner turns out to be a 5'er the ibanez gsr105ex had really straight forward rock tones just a master vol. and pickup vol. it was a dualcoil cremaic and, it had alot of punch. I used my Fender rumble 15 setup on all basses I named.

 

So it's down between (I think) the Ibanez GSR105ex/GSR100ex or the Laguna MM24. The problem is I can't find {censored} about them online. Any suggestions?

[isaac42]

They offered up misinformation. I know of very few sets beyond mine that give balanced tension - and if they were balanced tension then it wouldn't matter ultimately as a B string would pull the same as a G string. A .135 will have less tension at B than a .045 at G. Edit - this might help; www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

 

I even read on some company site that they tried a set with balanced tension, but it sounded like crap.

 

Made no sense to me.

[Kindness]

 

Made no sense to me.

 

 

That's because you are smart.

[X the Dead Pawn]

BUMP

[Poltergeist]

http://www.thomann.de/pt/ghs_3045_h_boomers.htm

 

those are great for low-tuning, i use them on my Squier P, tuned to C# and B. Work fine.

 

 

totally nevermind the EB-3 for low tunings... the P would be a way better choice, and, as it is a clearer sounding bass, i'd ever recommend a Jazz bass. Except if you're gonna use alot to record. Then i'd recommend the P, 'cose they're just awesome in that department.