Guitar and Bass string guages for B E A D (F# B) tuning?

[HAMERMAN]

Tuning to anything other than standard tuning is pretty new to me and I need some help. I recently started playing bass with a band that uses B E A D F# B tuning.

Tuning my main bass down to B E A D the tension is lower than I am used to but it's still pretty playable. I am using a medium or light gage regular set. Is there a heavy set that would make more sense? This bass is headless so one restriction will be I need to stick to double ball strings which will limit my selection.

I would also like to set one of my guitars up with B E A D F# B tuning so I can work on some riffs for the band. I usually use guitar strings on the light side (0.009 to 0.048) and using a set of those strings tuned down was definitely not playable. What guage range do I need to switch to to? I want to go heavy enough to get back into "normal" tension range but would like to stay with as light a set that will let me do that. The guitar has a Floyd on it so I think that helps a little since I shouldn't have to make changes to the nut or anything like that.

[JohnnyB]

Giggable basses have gotten so inexpensive you may be better off hitting the pawnshops and used instrument racks for an Ibanez, Dean, Cort, Squier, etc. 5-string bass. If you detune your 4-string to BEAD you'll definitely need your nut recut (low B is typically 115-130 ga.) Right now a Dean Edge 5-string is on the GC Used website for $159.

As for the string gauges for de-tuning a guitar to BEADF#B, that's pretty much a baritone or bajo sexto range. Usually these instruments have a 27-28" scale, but anyway, a good start would be to look at the gauges of bajo sexto strings, which seem to be from 24-78 to 24-92.

Or get one of these--29.75" scale.

[geoff_hartwell]

I have an import Hamer cruise 5 string if you're looking for one.

email is geoffhartwell@geoffhartwell.com

GH

[HAMERMAN]

Forgot to mention I am a lefty. I do happen to own a 5 string Cruise lefty and I plan on using that but the Steinberger is far easier to drag to practice.

As for the guitar I didn't know I had to go that heavy. Both guitarists are using standard guitars so I am now curious to know what they are using - I will have to ask at next practice. Maybe I will just have to settle for as much tension as I can get with "normal" strings. :-)

[JohnnyB]

Forgot to mention I am a lefty. I do happen to own a 5 string Cruise lefty and I plan on using that but the Steinberger is far easier to drag to practice.

As for the guitar I didn't know I had to go that heavy. Both guitarists are using standard guitars so I am now curious to know what they are using - I will have to ask at next practice. Maybe I will just have to settle for as much tension as I can get with "normal" strings. :-)

The standard guitar scale (25.5") would demand a heavier gauge than needed for a 28-30" scale to get the tension and pitch range required. Remember, B-to-B tuning is almost halfway to bass tuning.

Notice that the bajo sexto low B strings range from .078 to .092, so there's some leeway there, but a .056 will probably be too floppy, especially on a 25.5" scale.

[Stevieconlon]

I have several basses tuned BEAD--I just used the lower strings from 5string sets and had the nuts recut and the basses set-up for that tuning. I think the bass player for Rage Against the Machine uses this tuning. In terms of double-ball strings, I have an adapter for my Steinberger that permits me to use regular strings--I just need to carry the allen wrench for the adapter.

[Armitage]

Common seven string guitar sets are;

.009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042, .056

.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .059

Just leave off the high E and you've got your B to B gauges right there.

I use the .009 to .056 on my Ibanez RG7-620 seven string.

The D'Addario nickle wound Jazz Medium set is a stock .011, .016, .024, .032, .042, .056 set if you usually use .009s.

[Mindseyes]

Back when I was gigging on bass we tuned pretty low (drop c I think) After lots of trial and era with lot's of different string gauges I finally felt at home on Curt Mangan 50-110's, they had a nice feel (tension) without feeling to giant under my fingers.

For guitar when tuning that low on my Les Pauls 11-56's feel good to me.

[Armitage]

I just checked out my six string F-Bass, and it's strung guitar like, B E A D F# and B. I use Labella Super Steps on it, the 029-045-065-085-105-128 set.

[JohnnyB]

I have an adapter for my Steinberger that permits me to use regular strings--I just need to carry the allen wrench for the adapter.

Here's an example, but you may have to get the holes enlarged for 128-65 ga. strings. It'll certainly expand your selection string selection to, oh, just about everything.

[tomteriffic]

For the guitar, D'Addario makes a set called Jerry Jones Baritone. I had a Jerry Jones, tuned to either B or A, depending, and they worked great, with comfortable string tension. I forget what the individual gauges were, though.