String Gauge for 4 string tuned down BEAD

[The GroovyPlucker]

I'm just in the process of getting a squier vm fretless precision bass special, 2 pickups, 3 pots.

Previously I had a squier matt freeman with spb2's on, down tuned BEAD, my tech did find it a bit tricky to adjust the truss rod but did it and it was a good job, only reason I haven't got it is I wanted a fretless active 5. I now have a fretless and am gonna mod it with spb3's badass bridge etc.

So any thoughts on string gauge, I previously had a 5 string set on the matt freeman, but could a 4 string heavy gauge do the trick, I know you can get down tuning strings specially for this but i thought they were quite heavy.

Also any ideas on a good pre-amp for a precision special with three pots, not essential but I'd like the extra twang.

 

Cheers

 

Mark

[Dood]

I'd suggest sticking with the standard BEAD string as they will be the right tension for the 34" scale D'Addario can do separate strings so you needn't buy a 5 string set and ditch the G. I can't seem to tag D'addario's account in this post weirdly. 

For a preamp, well I guess it has to be East Uk! John East does a preamp specifically for the Precision bass that is highly regarded. 

[The GroovyPlucker]

sorry, so you mean any standard 4 string set, or the specific 4 string tuned down strings, can't remember who make em now, possibly DR. Had a john east before but wasn't massively impressed, although that was in a jazz, the precision one fits onto a standard p, but mine has three pots and jack on the side, was wondering if there's room for say an aguilar in the cavity under the pick guard, mind you would be awkward for battery change as you'd have to take off the pickguard, maybe my tech can route out a batt compartment on the back. I'll check some vids for the je p preamp, thanks for getting back to me though, much appreciated 

[FinnDave]

Just buy the B string that goes with the set you have and move them all one position along the fretboard. Worked for me!

[BigRedX]

Start by trying the 5-string set with the same E A D and G strings that you would normally use, but make sure that the low B is at least 128 minimum for a 40 - 100 set. IME most low B strings are too low in tension compared with the rest of the string unless you go slightly heavier than normal.

However getting a good balanced sounding and feeling low B is a bit of a dark art and you may have to trial and error your way through several sets to find what works best for you. Unfortunately what works for one player on one bass won't necessarily work for you on your bass. 

[The GroovyPlucker]

thanks for that BigRedX, I could cope with the previous down tuned 4 with 5 string set on, but thought I might get away with a slightly lighter gauge, i.e. not as thick/heavy B, without going to slim of course, think a standard B is 135 is that right? the main thing seemed to be getting the tension on the neck right as far as my tech was concerned, I like a medium/high (ish) set up as I dig in a play aggressively, finger style, not much noodling with me, but as you say trial and error, thanks for the reply

[BigRedX]

135 tends to be at the heavier end of the scale for a low B so unless the rest of your strings are heavy gauge that should be fine. There should be much to do regarding the truss rod going from G-E to D-B, it might need slackening off a bit as the low B is lower tension than the high G. Most of the work would be widening the nut slots. 

[The GroovyPlucker]

No worries, thanks for all your useful advice, think I'll stick with this idea of tuned down 4's now as I've had a problem trying to find the right 5 with fender pickup positioning which I'm most comfortable with, also finding a slim enough neck for my smallish hands, I'll try a few string combo's and hopefully get it sounding blinding, 

[FinnDave]

D'adarrio have an app on their site where you can put in the gauge of strings you use now, how far down or up you want to tune it, and what gauge you need to achieve the same tension. Worked for me!

[The GroovyPlucker]

thanks for that FinnDave

 

[FinnDave]

1 minute ago, The GroovyPlucker said:

thanks for that FinnDave

 

You're most welcome, when I changed strings the trussrod adjustment was minimal and the bass felt just the same as if had with EADG tuning.

[ambient]

Amazon sell separate D'Addario strings, just buy maybe a 125, 105, 085, 065, or whatever your preferred gauges are.

[The GroovyPlucker]

yeah, not really thought about that before, good call ambient, cheers

[BigRedX]

10 hours ago, ambient said:

Amazon sell separate D'Addario strings, just buy maybe a 125, 105, 085, 065, or whatever your preferred gauges are.

IME buying a 5-string set and chucking away the G, nearly always works out cheaper than buying individual strings. Also that low B is way too light gauge compared with the others. For those gauges I'd be looking at a 135 minimum.

[ambient]

49 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

IME buying a 5-string set and chucking away the G, nearly always works out cheaper than buying individual strings. Also that low B is way too light gauge compared with the others. For those gauges I'd be looking at a 135 minimum.

We all have our own preferences I guess. A 125 is what you'd find with those strings in a set. Personally I use a 110 B string on a 6 string bass, I tend to buy a 4 string heavy set and then buy lighter G and C strings. At the end of the day it's what you play and how you play. I do a lot of chordal stuff, and find that very light gauge works well for that. It obviously wouldn't work for other types of playing.

[The GroovyPlucker]

Cheers guys, I'm doing pretty basic route note stuff, doing rock n pop covers, lot of 80's stuff with that 80's twang, but also need punch n growl, my 1986 Ibanez Roadstar 5 String was just that but couldn't work with the tight string spacing, hence going back to a more manageable 4 string with fender pickup arrangement on the body, again what I'm most comfortable with, don't do upper registry noodling around the bridge, but I dig in finger style quite aggressively and use a medium to high action. Probably try a lighter B string i.e. 125 and see how I get on, 125 is usually in the med/light 5 string set.