Members The Aardvark Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 That is the question.I'm seriously considering restringing my bass BEAD. I almost never use the G-string ([bevis voice] huh huh, I said G-string[/bevis voice]) and I think I'd wind up actually using all four strings on my bass if I did this. UNLESS the B turned out to be just mud. I'm playing through a GK 700RB into a 2X15 right now but I'll soon change to a GK SBX4X10 and then later add a SBX1X15 to that. So, will I get a clear clean growl, or mud?
Members Benjamin Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I strung my fretless P/J bass to BEAD because the G was losing momentum for some reason. I have never looked back. What kind of bass are you considering modding?
Members mrcrow Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 this is something i have mulled over for some time.. its a stop gap way to the 5'er school of playing...you learn the new positions but imho...you will MISS that top G and the lovely melodic notes above the octave my jump will be straight to a 5 at least i will have the 4 comfort zones to play in until i get 'acclimatised' to that wobbly thumb rest and all its ....goodie low notes.. just my..
Members da_witch Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by The Aardvark That is the question.I'm seriously considering restringing my bass BEAD. I almost never use the G-string ([bevis voice] huh huh, I said G-string[/bevis voice]) and I think I'd wind up actually using all four strings on my bass if I did this. UNLESS the B turned out to be just mud. I'm playing through a GK 700RB into a 2X15 right now but I'll soon change to a GK SBX4X10 and then later add a SBX1X15 to that. So, will I get a clear clean growl, or mud? Buy a 5 stringer Aardvarken.
Members gazman Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 What bass is it? I'm gonna guess that if you restring to BEAD, that you will stop using the D string, just like u stopped using the G.
Members Thunderbroom Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I'm playing a MIM Fender P bass tuned BEAD. It works well with my country band. I also have a 5 string that I play as well.
Members Fran da Man Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 mrcrow don't you play praise and worship? Is it traditional hymms? My 5 is an absolute must as was proven last night while working on/playing a new tune to me; Redeemer, Savior, Friend...thats one pretty song and using well placed crescendos in the deep end had me in goosebumps
Members Benjamin Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Upon second thought, I am going to switch back to heavy gauge EADG. Maybe I am missing something in one of our songs. I guess I can maybe add a little octave to compensate. Until I get a 5 at least.
Members Fran da Man Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I thought you never looked back....
Members mrcrow Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by Fran da Man mrcrow don't you play praise and worship? Is it traditional hymms? My 5 is an absolute must as was proven last night while working on/playing a new tune to me; Redeemer, Savior, Friend...thats one pretty song and using well placed crescendos in the deep end had me in goosebumps yes old friend...i think i should be getting those low D's and C's...no to mention the B on some of our songs... we dont do a lot of trad hymns but i do feel a fretted E at times would score better... i use the top G more now to melodise some riffs and make them sort of impromptu figures.. this is ongoing and i feel now with our exchange i may be really ready for the 5 string
Members Fran da Man Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by mrcrow yes old friend...i think i should be getting those low D's and C's...no to mention the B on some of our songs... we dont do a lot of trad hymns but i do feel a fretted E at times would score better... i use the top G more now to melodise some riffs and make them sort of impromptu figures.. this is ongoing and i feel now with our exchange i may be really ready for the 5 string Good for you mrcrow, i hope a 5 will be a good fit for you. They're not for everybody though, takes some getting used to; i'll have to figure you've play a few here and there? I'll send you a pm of some of our songs we do...most unfamilar folks can't believe it's PW. I used to d/l alot of them on winmx but the RIAA shut it down. I use verticalmusic.com to hear some. By top G you mean G on the E? edit: having those 5 extra notes plus a fretted E adds a whole new dimension to the bass and rythm end.
Members Benjamin Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by Fran da Man I thought you never looked back.... True, I think that's because I just didn't think about it, until now
Members The Aardvark Posted October 12, 2005 Author Members Posted October 12, 2005 Right now I'm using a fretless Yamaha BB404F which is kind of a J-Bass knockoff. Although I'm planning on getting a Ric soon.
Members chubrocker Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I say DO IT! I'm preparing to do it. I use my 5er all the time, but I just feel more comfortable with a 4 string. I don't use the G string, but use the low C and D constantly. I get too much in the guitar register and my sound gets lost when I play too much in the upper register. I'd like to do it to my old Peavey, but the neck is too narrow. I'll need to get an older P and J bass or go the SX route.
Members birdboy7007 Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I could never BEAD, I love that G string! Love it I say!
Members lug Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by chubrocker I say DO IT! I'm preparing to do it. I use my 5er all the time, but I just feel more comfortable with a 4 string. I don't use the G string, but use the low C and D constantly. I get too much in the guitar register and my sound gets lost when I play too much in the upper register. I'd like to do it to my old Peavey, but the neck is too narrow. I'll need to get an older P and J bass or go the SX route. FYI, the a typical BEAD string setup puts slightly LESS tention on the neck than a EADG setup.
Members the hammer Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Way back in the day before 5 strings were common I tuned one of my Aria Pro II's to BEAD so that I could play the low D. It worked pretty well for me for a long time but I'm going to have to echo Wendy on this one and say go for a 5 string. Once I got my first 5 string in 1990 I realized how nice it was to have the G string back so almost all the basses that I've bought since then have been 5 strings.
Members zachoff Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I had trouble setting intonation dropping to D. I don't think it would be possible on most basses to drop to B and be properly intonated.
Members Thunderbroom Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by zachoff I had trouble setting intonation dropping to D. I don't think it would be possible on most basses to drop to B and be properly intonated. When I dropped my P bass to BEAD a few weeks ago, I had to adjust the intonation. It took a little patience, but I got it.
Members The Aardvark Posted October 12, 2005 Author Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by zachoff I had trouble setting intonation dropping to D. I don't think it would be possible on most basses to drop to B and be properly intonated. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about downtuning, I'm talking about re-stringing using the BEAD strings from a 5-string bass set.
Members zachoff Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by The Aardvark Just to be clear, I'm not talking about downtuning, I'm talking about re-stringing using the BEAD strings from a 5-string bass set. If you're currently strung eadg you'll still need to re-intonate... Hopefully you won't run out of room at the saddle. I almost did dropping from E to D.
Members james on bass Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I say try it out. It's not that big a deal. At the worst, you waste some time setting intonation a couple of times and have a B string lying around if you don't like BEAD. I kinda wish I kept my 4 string fretless Ibanez. I would've tried BEAD knowing what I do now.
Members Ripfence Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 I am kind of interested in this too. I have a American Jazz bass and I have a couple packs of 5-string bass strings. In order to go "B" what would I need to do? Would I have to have the nut re-slotted? Would the neck hold up under the extra tension?
Members lug Posted October 12, 2005 Members Posted October 12, 2005 Originally posted by Ripfence I am kind of interested in this too. I have a American Jazz bass and I have a couple packs of 5-string bass strings. In order to go "B" what would I need to do? Would I have to have the nut re-slotted? Would the neck hold up under the extra tension? You have to cut the nut, so to go back you might need to replace it. (I "V" cut the nut on the T-40, and it still works for EADG fine). There will probably be less tension, not more, on the neck.
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