The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: thijs on October 22, 2008, 12:49:35 PM

Title: Low B on a 4-string bass
Post by: thijs on October 22, 2008, 12:49:35 PM

I was wondering... i'm a big fan of low bass sounds.
Would I do any harm to my 4-string basses ('70 one's) when I use the 4 lower strings from a 5-set, put them on and tune them into B-E-A-D?
Doing so, I think I might be able to catch the lowest of the lowest in my bluesrock sound.

Someone an opinion?

Title: Re: Low B on a 4-string bass
Post by: SKATE RAT on October 22, 2008, 05:26:46 PM

you can do that.but you would need to mod your nut.

Title: Re: Low B on a 4-string bass
Post by: Dave W on October 22, 2008, 05:40:18 PM

Right, and you don't need to worry about harming the neck. In typical string set gauges, a B-E-A-D setup is slightly lower in total tension than E-A-D-G tuning. You're dropping a small diameter string tuned to high G which is usually higher in tension than the large diameter string tuned to B. Hope that makes sense.

Title: Re: Low B on a 4-string bass
Post by: thijs on October 22, 2008, 10:46:20 PM

Thanks..!
Gonna try it.