PaulWarning Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 I've just bought a set of 5 string bass strings (because they were as cheap as 4 string ones), I've only got a 4 string bass, has anybody fitted the thicker 4 strings out of a 5 string set of strings (120,100,80 and 60's) to a 4 string bass (with standard tuning)? what happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 It's really common. You'll probably have to adjust the nut a bit (the B string might be thicker than the groove currently cut for your E string), but other than that, shouldn't be much to do. Depending on the tension of the strings, a slight truss rod adjustment might be necessary, but that depends on the brand really. There shouldn't be much tension difference between a 4 string set made up of a low B or a high G all other things being equal. So it just depends on whether you have a reason to do it Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicbassman Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Yup, Sibob beat me to it - they'll certainly be very loud, but they'll put an extra load on the neck so I guess you're very likely to need to adjust the truss rod to compensate. But I disagree with Sibob about 'not much tension difference' - you might find you need a new set of fingers as well....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 just idling thinking really, with the increased tension would you be able to lower the strings without getting fret buzz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 20 minutes ago, musicbassman said: But I disagree with Sibob about 'not much tension difference' - you might find you need a new set of fingers as well....................... Yes, I think Sibob missed the part about wanting to tune the thicker strings to standard EADG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 1 hour ago, LewisK1975 said: Yes, I think Sibob missed the part about wanting to tune the thicker strings to standard EADG. Yeah so did I! I do use those strings on a four string tuned BEAD (I hate 5-strings but we have some songs in B) but I can’t imagine tuning them to standard pitch. I do use a 120 4th string on my “normal” basses but that’s tuned to drop C#. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Sibob said: It's really common. You'll probably have to adjust the nut a bit (the B string might be thicker than the groove currently cut for your E string), but other than that, shouldn't be much to do. Depending on the tension of the strings, a slight truss rod adjustment might be necessary, but that depends on the brand really. There shouldn't be much tension difference between a 4 string set made up of a low B or a high G all other things being equal. So it just depends on whether you have a reason to do it Si I think the OP wants to tune the bottom 4 strings of a 5-string set up to E A D G. However if he wasn't the B string of a standard 5-string set is quite a bit lower tension than the G. Generally, the highest tension string is the D with the other strings progressively dropping off in tension as you go higher and lower, although the drop off is usually greater as you go lower. Have a look at the string tension charts for those manufacturers that publish them. Edited February 1, 2018 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 1 minute ago, BigRedX said: I think the OP wants to tune the bottom 4 strings of a 5-string set up to E A D G. Oh possibly, now I'm re-reading it. Yeah.....don't do that. lol Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, Sibob said: Oh possibly, now I'm re-reading it. Yeah.....don't do that. lol Si No don't. D'Addario publish some string tension charts. For example a 100 gauge XL nickel round is 36.5 lb at E and tuned a fourth up to A is 65 lb All the grim details are here: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 I decided not to do it, it was just a thought and wondered whether anybody had tried it, anybody want a 120 DR neon pink string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Neon pink ? Ouch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 4 minutes ago, fleabag said: Neon pink ? Ouch very punk rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 More ' Girls Aloud ' surely Paul ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 120? That's pretty light gauge for a low B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, BigRedX said: 120? That's pretty light gauge for a low B. well they're light gauge, the others are 40 - 100 so it makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 On 2/1/2018 at 13:22, PaulWarning said: I decided not to do it, it was just a thought and wondered whether anybody had tried it, anybody want a 120 DR neon pink string? Not quite the same as a neon pink G string so, pass. Sorry. It's completely the wrong gauge for my cleft. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 9 hours ago, SpondonBassed said: Not quite the same as a neon pink G string so, pass. Sorry. It's completely the wrong gauge for my cleft. That image is now lodged in my head. Thanks for that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 2 hours ago, SICbass said: That image is now lodged in my head. Thanks for that.... Be thankful that it is the only place it lodged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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