Oldman Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Guys, I’m looking at downsizing from fivers to fours, trouble is, I like the low B hence BEAD tuning. I’m not sure my ‘88 Thumb NT four will accomodate this tuning, any experiences in this field? Also I will need an unlined fretless four to complement my reduction in strings, any experiences on conversion with a new ish bass Bolt on or NT? I anticipated doing this a few years ago when I also owned an ‘89 NT Fretless Thumb so bought two Justanut 5 string width nut screws, never did it sold the Fretless, still have the nut screws. Thanks for looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) Other than needing to maybe widen the nut slots what problems did you envisage? Edited December 27, 2020 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Your 88 Thumb has the brass adjust-a-nut 1 with the rotating brass screws? It should be fine. With a Warwick you're more likely to find an issue with the B string fitting the bridge as the ball-end wraps on non-tapered strings can be too wide for the narrow slot in the bridge anchor, so try a B from a Warwick set initially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Black label tapered B is easier to get hold of than the Red Label version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 Result, yes the adjust a nut, thank you, I have some used sets of strings I’ll try before I buy. 🤗 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 26 minutes ago, BigRedX said: Other than needing to maybe widen the nut slots what problems did you envisage? Slack B, undue tension on the neck, I’m not a techie I would have just popped a string on and tried it🤫 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Low B will be considerably lower tension than the G it is replacing, so you may need to slacken off the truss rod. Loose feeling B is down to the gauge of the string and construction of the bass. IME neck through is always better for low B compared with bolt-on construction, and going slightly heavier on the B always helps (don't worry you have to go extremely heavy on the gauge before it's a higher tension than typical G). You will need to experiment with string types before find the right ones for you and your bass. Warwick Black Label suit me very well but my bass is quite a bit different to your Warwick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) - Edited March 11, 2022 by Jus Lukin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 13 minutes ago, BigRedX said: Low B will be considerably lower tension than the G it is replacing, so you may need to slacken off the truss rod. The B will be replacing the E, ah, just sussed it, I’m removing the G 🤗 yes I can slacken the truss rod. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 16 minutes ago, Jus Lukin said: It's pretty common to tune BEAD, and the physics is no different on a four or five. With the appropriate setup, you'll be good to go! Simple approach that’s me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebadon2000 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 I see string manufacturers are selling BEAD string sets GHS Boomers has a set with 3 gauge sizes. I have seen a few others also names escape me now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 I’ll check that out thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnt Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 I'm playing with this at the moment on my HB MP4-EB, but with strings that are a bit too light (lowest 0.120"). A 5-string set is on the way and could even be here tomorrow, so I'll set it up properly then. I don't know how good a tone I'm going to get on a 34" scale, I'd really prefer something longer, but we'll see. This bass has a zero fret, so the nut shouldn't be critical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 Warwick’s seem to have good reputation on the low B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 No experience with Warwicks I’m afraid but I’ve been stringing Precisions BEAD for years and love it. As above - widening of nut slots, slackening the truss rod a tad and correct setup and you should be fine. My strings of choice are the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Yeah I’ve done this on a Sandberg VM with great results. Just check your truss rod, adjust the nut width as necessary, opt for a tapered b string set and you’ll be good. I really enjoyed having the bead set up and it makes a lot of sense for many folk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldman Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 (edited) Thanks, I’ve sussed out the GHS string set at £27.00, ill just try a spare B I have then go the tapered route. Ive got a bit more on my mind at the moment. https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/GHS-4ML-B-DYB-BEAD-Tuned-Bass-Boomers/art-BAS0009355-000 Edited December 29, 2020 by Oldman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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