Bass Tuning: EADG or BEAD?

[JaySwear]

obviously the bass isn't even in my possession yet, but when is it too early to worry about these things?

one of my biggest inspirations for bass would be Ross Valory of Journey (sorry, Randy Jackson). according to wikipedia he's one of the innovators of the BEAD tuning. this is compounded on top of the fact that most of my music library is probably playing 5 strings. i only know of one song for sure that uses the G string (from way back when i started playing on bass 6 or 7 years ago). i know more are out there, but it seems like i could play higher on the D string instead of playing lower on the E string (obviously impossible).

so what are your views? how do you have your 4 strings tuned, OR how important do you find that low B string on you 5 string bass? my bass would only be a 34" scale, so i'm worried i'd have more of a fart simulator than a usable low B string if i used this tuning. especially with passive pickups. any tips or opinions appreciated!

 

[rockskate4x]

It helps to have a longer scale length, but since your not doing that, definitely try some heavier string gauges to tighten things up. Active pickups/preamps can also help.

 

[line6man]

definitely try some heavier string gauges to tighten things up.

I think it goes without saying that he would be picking out a BEAD string set.

 

[rockskate4x]

I should have been clearer. Try a heavier 5 string set since your not going 35 inch scale or higher like most of the 5 strings i see today.

 

[line6man]

I should have been clearer. Try a heavier 5 string set since your not going 35 inch scale or higher like most of the 5 strings i see today.

I don't see what the difference is using a BEAD four string versus playing a Gecko, or other 34" 5 string.

What are the 34" 5 string players doing?

Honestly, this thread would get a MUCH better response if posted on TalkBass.
Questions about BEAD tuning come up like once a week, so there should be plenty of info. :blob7:

 

[JaySwear]

Honestly, this thread would get a MUCH better response if posted on TalkBass.
Questions about BEAD tuning come up like once a week, so there should be plenty of info. :blob7:

yeah, thats where i'm probably headed with this question now. just wanted to see what the thoughts were here as well

 

[rockskate4x]

I should have been clearer. Try a heavier 5 string set since your not going 35 inch scale or higher like most of the 5 strings i see today.

I don't see what the difference is using a BEAD four string versus playing a Gecko, or other 34" 5 string.

Gecko's and most of the 5 string basses I see (non-fender) are more than 35 inch scale

 

[line6man]

I should have been clearer. Try a heavier 5 string set since your not going 35 inch scale or higher like most of the 5 strings i see today.

I don't see what the difference is using a BEAD four string versus playing a Gecko, or other 34" 5 string.

Gecko's and most of the 5 string basses I see (non-fender) are more than 35 inch scale

Sorry, I was thinking of the Deluxe 5s.
The Geckos are indeed 35" scale, but the Deluxe 5s are 34".

 

[JaySwear]

thats true. and if regular tuning can hold up on a 32" or even 30" then a B on a 34" isn't such a stretch.

i guess my biggest question is if you found yourself with a low B and no G would you feel limited, or like you just got an extended range? this isn't my first time with a bass, but it's not like i've practiced on 4's and i'm moving up to 5's. i haven't had one for maybe 6 years. so i'm not sure if this is a decent idea or if i should learn the basics first. the way i see it is it's still 4 strings. my scales would just be a little different.

i'd probably set it up for standard for now, but order another nut to be put on for heavier strings. chances are i wouldn't glue the nut i have now. if i file it down so it just fits then i won't need to worry about it. my acoustic's nut isn't glued and i've never once had a problem with it.

 

[line6man]

i guess my biggest question is if you found yourself with a low B and no G would you feel limited, or like you just got an extended range?

It depends entirely who you ask. You get people on both sides.

Some people never use their G string, and don't miss it with BEAD tuning.
Personally, as a solo player, I can't live without the G string.  (I play more notes on the G than any other string.)
I've thought about going the opposite direction a few times now, with a sort of four string tenor tuning. (ADGC, like the top four strings of a six string.)

Honestly, your best bet is to go play a five string bass, and resist the urge to use the G string for any reason, and then see how well that works for you. :dontknow:

 

[drewfx]

The other option, which I personally prefer, is to do EADG and put a d-tuner on the E string to take you down to D at the flip of a switch (though I think they will go as low as C). I really don't really need to go below low D much anyway, but YMMV.

Of course some other people will tune in 5ths like a cello (CGDA), but...

 

[line6man]

The other option, which I personally prefer, is to do EADG and put a d-tuner on the E string to take you down to D at the flip of a switch (though I think they will go as low as C). I really don't really need to go below low D much anyway, but YMMV.

I do that as well, but I've never understood why so many people consider the detuners to be substitutes to a five string bass?
With a detuner, your E string goes down to a D, but on a five string, your lowest string is a B, so you're missing some notes with the detuner...
Plus, you don't have an E string any longer, your E becomes a D string.

Detuners are great for a lot of things, but transforming a four to a five is not one of those things.

 

[mgaut051]

My $0.02:

I'm an amateur (very amateur) bass player (funny, because in french, amateur means "person who likes", and I would like to be good at bass.  :laughing7.
I have a fender mex J that's strung up BEAD, and I like it much more that way. I never used the G string much, and the growl of that low B, used judiciously, is marvelous. Can't beat it. I've got girlie hands, so 5-string never tickled my fancy. But to me, BEAD is what 4 strings were meant to be.
Yeah it's a big gauge, no it's not floppy. And I love it.
Had flatwound on it for a while, and loved that too, but now I have my Ripper (EADG) with flats and that's even better (pure gold - would reccomend to anyone).

 

[AprioriMark]

I actually did this (BEAD) when I was 16 (I'm 32 now) on a 70's P-bass.  At the time, I think I ordered some Thomastik Infeld strings that were supposedly higher tension.  This worked out great for me, and the only reason I didn't continue using it was that the bass was stolen and I stopped playing with the group I'd built the bass for.  I didn't notice any tension issues with the 34" scale, but it was a long time ago.  I also did CGDA on an upright about the same time, and I sorta wish I'd switched my electrics over to that.

-Mark

 

[Malta]

I don't personally like/enjoy playing 5 strings much so I have my 4 strings setup EADG, BEAD, CGCF, DGCF.

 

[JaySwear]

thanks for all the replies. i think i've come to the conclusion or "why not?" might as well try it for a while. if i absolutely hate it then i can order a new nut and string it up to standard

 

[AprioriMark]

thanks for all the replies. i think i've come to the conclusion or "why not?" might as well try it for a while. if i absolutely hate it then i can order a new nut and string it up to standard

Exactly.  You will need to adjust the truss rod... just figured I'd mention that.

-Mark

 

[Jeremiah]

The only negative I can think of is that some 4-string bridges have slots or holes that are not wide enough for the heavy gauge B strings to fit through. I don't know if this would be the case for any of the bridges Warmoth routs for, but I have owned one bass where this was a problem ( a crappy "Charvette" by Charvel.)

Also, you would probably need to cut the nut slots larger.

 

[JaySwear]

thanks for all the replies. i think i've come to the conclusion or "why not?" might as well try it for a while. if i absolutely hate it then i can order a new nut and string it up to standard

Exactly.  You will need to adjust the truss rod... just figured I'd mention that.

-Mark

very true, a set up would be needed to switch from one to the other.

and to Jeremiah; i never even thought of that! i've had some trouble with strings being too large to fit (tried some 12's on a guitar a long time ago and the low E wouldn't fit through the tuning peg) and i could definitely see that being a problem here... so new question, does anybody know if a low B would fit in a gotoh 201 bridge?

 

[line6man]

does anybody know if a low B would fit in a gotoh 201 bridge?

Just pushing the E string through the hole is a tight fit. There is pretty much no way a B string will fit unless you drill it out larger.

btw, I know that someone is going to pull a ridiculous innuendo from this post.  :tard: