Orphix Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Hiya all, First post and immediately seeking advice! Have recently joined two bands - one that uses standard tuning and another that requires down tuning to a low B (to perform old school, big riffage metal). Currently only got the one bass (EB MM 'Ray) which can cope with the low tuning after a lengthy setup quite handsomely but really rather have this bass tuned in standard to perform all the funky in-ya-face type stuff for the other band. Obviously using the same bass for both bands is a nightmare due to having to change the setup and have never got on with any 5-string (awkward, I know). So looking to go to a BEAD tuning and buy another bass to fill this requirement - any suggestions? Any advice in general?? Was kinda thinking about a Fender P - or am I completely off the mark with that idea?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGEvans Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 hey hey.I use a korean spector 4 string and quite often tune BEAD.no problems at all,and its 34 inch scale.i think that most decent basses could cope with it to be honest.t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I used an Ibanez P clone tuned (& strung) BEAD - 130 B string. There's actually less stress on the neck with BEAD than with EADG, so you may not need to adjust the truss rod. You'll probably have to widen (NOT DEEPEN!!!!) the nut slots. Apart from that, that's it. I'd pick up a semi-decent squier P or Jazz from a Cash Converters or the like.......... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-SQUIER-PRECISION-BASS-GUITAR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3ef73c1197QQitemZ270435881367QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-SQUIER-PRECIS...alenotsupported[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Precision-P-Bass-Goth-Tattoo-Design-Squire_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem1e57bef996QQitemZ130321152406QQptZUKQ5fMusicalQ5fInstrumentsQ5fGuitarsQ5fCVQQsalenotsupported"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Precision-P-Bass-Got...alenotsupported[/url] G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 How about a hipshot tuner (I know it only goes low D)..... Or just get another Stingray in another colour and get it adjusted by a repair guy. That way,you're familiar with the 'Ray and you can adapt to both bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trent900 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Borrow a 6-string from someone, suffer with it until it don't seem so bad, then get a 5-string. Suddenly you'll love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orphix Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 Cheers for this guys - alot of helpful suggestions! Got a little bit of money burning a hole in my pocket so no worried about spending a bit of cash on something. A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 I think you should bite the bullet and get a 5 string. It's a better long term option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Took me a little while to get used to a 5 after a 4 but once I did, I've never looked back. One thing to bear in mind for tuning BEAD is scale length - 34" is great for a 4 but (imho) 35" or 35.5" sounds better for a bass with a low B - keeps it tighter and clearer. That's down to presonal preference of course. The bigest problem is when teaching a newbie student who has a 4, and they're studiously copying my finger movements - the extra string can confuse easily. I tend to take it off for the lesson and put it straight back on afterwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 [quote name='Orphix' post='556581' date='Jul 30 2009, 09:06 PM']Hiya all, First post and immediately seeking advice! Have recently joined two bands - one that uses standard tuning and another that requires down tuning to a low B (to perform old school, big riffage metal). Currently only got the one bass (EB MM 'Ray) which can cope with the low tuning after a lengthy setup quite handsomely but really rather have this bass tuned in standard to perform all the funky in-ya-face type stuff for the other band. Obviously using the same bass for both bands is a nightmare due to having to change the setup and have never got on with any 5-string (awkward, I know). So looking to go to a BEAD tuning and buy another bass to fill this requirement - any suggestions? Any advice in general?? Was kinda thinking about a Fender P - or am I completely off the mark with that idea??[/quote] how does a B sound on your present equipment...i couldnt get it to sound well on my boy racer combo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Have you checked out the new Sterling's by MusicMan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkypenguin Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 the Spector LX 435 is designed to use that tuning, constructed with 35" scale length rather than 34" to cope with drop tuning. maybe look into that? [url="http://www.spectorbass.com/bass_euro_Euro4LX_1.html"]http://www.spectorbass.com/bass_euro_Euro4LX_1.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc B Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Ibanez do a 'him out of Slipknot' signature version of the ATK bass set up as BEAD so that may be a good bet. A status Graphite would be another good bet with the graphite neck and the standard 35" scale on current headed basses. Status aren't cheap mind! Timmy C from RATM uses a Custom Shop Fender Jazz strung BEAD, so a USA made Fender should be up to it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHUFC BASS Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 [quote name='trent900' post='556653' date='Jul 30 2009, 10:37 PM']Borrow a 6-string from someone, suffer with it until it don't seem so bad, then get a 5-string. Suddenly you'll love it [/quote] You joke but thats exactly how I got into playing 5-Strings. I used to play 4-strings and one day got a Status S-2 6-String and played that for years. I always like the low B but had no real use for the high C string. When I got my first 5-string it just felt right and now I only play 5-string basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Mr. Crow's point (earlier in this thread) remains valid ... there's no point going with a low B if you play through a tiny/cheap/crap combo. Make sure your rig can handle the tuning before you commit. I played at a jam last night in a smallish pub where the non-regular house band bass player brought along a full GK rig with a 410. I had my Prosebass Custom 5-string with a 35" Lakland neck. The sound of the low B was just awesome. I played the same bass on Tuesday at The Spice Of Life jam in the West End, going through a tiny Hartke thingy with a single 10" speaker and it was utterly pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sturm Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 i have a veteran sidewinder, im thinking of going BEAD with that, it only cost me £15 so its not like im gonna lose anything if it doesnt work out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_6ao7 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) Warwick Corvette Taranis 4 string & standard tuning is BEAD [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72495"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72495[/url] Edited August 7, 2009 by ray_6ao7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 [quote name='ray_6ao7' post='562816' date='Aug 7 2009, 02:59 PM']Warwick Corvette Taranis 4 string & standard tuning is BEAD [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72495"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/72495[/url][/quote] That's a nice bass....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasha Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1249665237' post='562953'] That's a nice bass....... [/quote] I have this Bass "Taranis" (4 string) it has a very nice sound. I am trying to find out why "Warwick" discontinued making those (any ideas?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 [quote name='Pasha' timestamp='1391810867' post='2361692'] I have this Bass "Taranis" (4 string) it has a very nice sound. I am trying to find out why "Warwick" discontinued making those (any ideas?) [/quote] They didn't sell well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I've got a patch on my eventide pitch factor, that I use to tune down so it's like being BEAD, and that works for me and is less hassle than setting up a bass specifically for that tuning... Might be an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rk7 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I have a tanglewater jazz that is strung BEAD. Cheap as chips and surprisingly effective. thank you please RK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Almost 5 year old post alert!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1391854889' post='2361967'] Almost 5 year old post alert!!! [/quote] It's good to find the old threads rather than always start a new thread without searching first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 [quote name='NickH' timestamp='1249044416' post='557104'] Took me a little while to get used to a 5 after a 4 but once I did, I've never looked back. One thing to bear in mind for tuning BEAD is scale length - 34" is great for a 4 but (imho) 35" or 35.5" sounds better for a bass with a low B - keeps it tighter and clearer. That's down to presonal preference of course. [/quote] Longer scale length for low B in most cases is a complete red herring. Unless you go to 36" scale or longer (and then the higher tuned strings tend to suffer) an extra inch on the overall length of the string makes little difference to the feel and sound of it. Getting a decent feeling and sounding low B is more about the overall construction of the bass then a slight increase in the length. IME anyone who makes a 35" scale bass with a good low B is equally cable of making a good 34" scale one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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