Are there any metal bassist that use a 4-string bass, but with a 5-string set, excluding the G-string?

My friend said he was planning to do that, and I think it's a brilliant idea. I've always thought 4-string basses look coolest, but that extra low B-string really comes in handy. So it's a really brilliant idea, using a 4-string bass but with the strings for a 5-string, excluding the highest one which you almost never need anyway.

Or just tune it differently? I don't know how much you could push that, though I suppose if strings are made for it, you should use them.

Yeah, you could just tune down regular 4-strings 5 half notes, but that will make them really slack, and besides, the fifth string is thicker and thus it makes a fatter sound.

I don't think the B string would fit into the E slot.

I did that to my guitar - used a 7 string set and ditched the high E - so standard tuning, just B to b instead of E to e. Wrecked havioc on my neck because of the heavy strings, so I'm switching it back to regular strings and getting a ESP baritone guitar for the B to b setup.

Would have worked just fine if you had gotten it properly set up.

This should probably be in the musicians forum.

That is an incredibly stupid idea.

be careful you dont fuck up your bass... the extra tension might warp your neck. to be honest, i doubt you really need to go that low just to tune down to B, just buy thicker gauge strings. that'll save you money anyway since you're not paying for the extra string

there's actually less total tension on a bass tuned BEAD than there is on a bass tuned EADG, with the same EAD strings and a .125-.130 B.

this should be in the musicians forum.

if you really want to tune a 4-string to B then you can do one of three things
a) buy a 5 string set and ditch the high G
b) buy a thicker 4 string set (although a 4-string with a 34" scale will not hold a B well with anything less than a .125)
c) buy separate strings

more than likely you will need to modify the nut because most 4-string basses do not have a nut that can accommodate a .125+ gauge string. you will need to readjust the saddles on the bridge so it's properly intonated.

you may also need to do a truss adjustment because there will be less total tension placed on the neck, which may or may not do anything at all.

I have my 34" Soundgear bass tuned to B with no problems and I didn't do any further setup other than adjusting the saddles to have it intonated for B.

Jeff Caxide of Isis tunes BEAD, though he also has a 5-string or two.

Thats what I use, it sounds better and more bright when in drop tuning, probably should do it if you're planning to record that bass

Please stop playing bass!

Why, because I'm not too lazy to go 5 frets higher if there is a bass line that goes that high?

I have my Bass set up that way. Works fine tuned down in A, but I had it set up by a specialist bass shop - got the intonation set so that it wouldnt fuck up the neck etc.

It's a good idea man, i did that with my first bass and it worked great as bass set to B before I got my 5 string. Great idea and you should go for it!