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4 string Bass with low B

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  • 01-12-2004 3:15pm
    #1
    Malice
    Registered Users Posts: 15,065 ✭✭✭✭


    I'm just wondering if anyone has done this or has advice on this procedure:

    Basically I have a 4 string bass and what I want to do is put a low B string on it so that it's like a 5 string bass (without the G string) so that instead of being strung like this (high to low) G,D,A,E it's strung as D,A,E,B. I figure I may have to file the nut a bit to accommodate the thicker gauge string but I think my biggest concern is whether the neck will bend under the extra pressure. Will I have to adjust the truss rod in this case? Are there any other factors I'm missing?

    I'd rather not have to bring it to a shop and shell out for the sake of an experiment. If I had the spare cash I'd probably just buy a 5 string but I don't at the moment :( The guitar in question is an old Squire Precision Bass which has served me well so I'd rather not break it :)


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    #2
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    Yeah, tried this out about 10 years ago. Yes, you'll need to file the nut, probably each string slot and you may also need to file the bridge. A lot of 4 string bass bridges won't take strings as big as a 125, and you'll need a 125 or maybe a 130 to make it work. You'll need to do a general setup job anyway, same as if you were to leave it in E and put on a different gauge of strings. You'll need to intonate and tweak the neck but it shouldn't be anything dramatic. It's not major work and should be straightforward enough.


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    #3
    Malice
    Registered Users Posts: 15,065 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    Doctor J wrote:
    Yeah, tried this out about 10 years ago. Yes, you'll need to file the nut, probably each string slot and you may also need to file the bridge. A lot of 4 string bass bridges won't take strings as big as a 125, and you'll need a 125 or maybe a 130 to make it work. You'll need to do a general setup job anyway, same as if you were to leave it in E and put on a different gauge of strings. You'll need to intonate and tweak the neck but it shouldn't be anything dramatic. It's not major work and should be straightforward enough.

    Cheers for the reply Doc! One part I left out of the previous post was whether the process will cause any problems if/when I change back to the "normal" G,D,A,E setup ie will the E string tend to go out of tune easier now that it's got more space both at the nut and the bridge to move around in?


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    #4
    Doctor J
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,848 ✭✭✭✭Doctor J


    You may need to replace the nut, depending on your skill with the round file. The Squier Precision has a fairly straight string path from bridge to tuner so you should get away with it. Just be very careful, if you have to file the hole in the bridge, that you make it only big enough for the string and not the ball end, that'd be the big worry.


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    #5
    feylya
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,359 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    If you're interested, I've a cheap 4 string bass for sale over on the for sale instruments board. At least that way you won't **** up your main bass :D


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