Never use my G string

[SteveXFR]

I realised that I don't touch my G string (the one on my bass) while playing with either of my metal bands or while playing any of my favourite covers at home. Is this unusual?

I play notes that exist on the G but find they sound better on the D or A string. I have quite a bright tone with quite a lot of high mids so maybe Ive made it unusable. Whatever the reason, I replaced a probably unused G with the rest of my strings earlier. 

[ezbass]

I use the G quite a lot in my band, but that’s down to the genre (Mod, Northern Soul, etc) and the original recordings use that part of the neck quite a bit it seems (early systems being less able in the low hz dept). However, I reckon I could go a gauge heavier on the G, just for a more even tone (I already use 45-100 to try & achieve that). 

Edited 4 hours ago by ezbass

[James Nada]

If I didn't use the G I'd replace it with another E the same octave as the regular E.

May as well have a spare ready to go.

 

[Lozz196]

I’m pretty much the same, rarely use the G, preferring the thicker sounding notes of the A & D strings. On some songs this isn’t practical but whenever possible avoid the G.

[mr4stringz]

Given that’s the case and with you being in metal bands I’d be tempted to go BEAD. Loved my time playing in that tuning for a few years.

[Reggaebass]

8 minutes ago, mr4stringz said:

Given that’s the case and with you being in metal bands I’d be tempted to go BEAD. Loved my time playing in that tuning for a few years.

Ive got one jazz strung permanently like that, I like that tuning 

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, SteveXFR said:

I realised that I don't touch my G string (the one on my bass) while playing with either of my metal bands or while playing any of my favourite covers at home. Is this unusual?

 

I don't think so. I am in a general cover band and a metal band. The metal band almost never go past the first 2 strings, the cover band does all of them. I guess metal just stays in the mud!

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

53 minutes ago, mr4stringz said:

Given that’s the case and with you being in metal bands I’d be tempted to go BEAD. Loved my time playing in that tuning for a few years.

Good shout ! I have this setting on my Warwick corvette . Had it done a couple of months ago, and wondered why I didn’t do this much sooner!

[SteveXFR]

57 minutes ago, mr4stringz said:

Given that’s the case and with you being in metal bands I’d be tempted to go BEAD. Loved my time playing in that tuning for a few years.

 

I have done that in the past. The only thing that puts me off now is the thought of modifying the expensive bridge and brass nut on my Spector to accept the heavier strings and the cost of putting it back to original. Maybe I should trade it for a 5 string.

[itu]

57 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

...and the cost of putting it back to original. 

I have my Status MM4 neck that Rob built to BEAD tuning. I use it now with EADG tuning and obviously thinner strings. Works like a dream. No need to modify anything. 

[SteveXFR]

6 minutes ago, itu said:

I have my Status MM4 neck that Rob built to BEAD tuning. I use it now with EADG tuning and obviously thinner strings. Works like a dream. No need to modify anything. 

 

Id need to file the nut and bridge to accept the thicker stings. I can only just get a .110 string in the E string slot in the bridge. 

[itu]

Bridge needed just some filing, and nut was made by Status. E (.95) and B (.120) are interchangable without issues. No buzzing or any other unwanted moving. 

[Mottlefeeder]

I had been playing BEADG fives when I decided to try fretless. I started with a borrowed BEAD four to see how I got on and the band almost immediately added 'Crazy little thing called love' to the set list. That triggered a rethink and I quickly moved on to a BEADG five fretless. Unfortunately I found it was not for me, and I now only play fretted fives.

David