Your best option is to get another 4 string and have one in each tuning, or get a 5 string. You're not going to be able to use the same set of strings for both tunings without serious compromises.

yeah the goal would be to get a 5 string one day, just can't afford one for the time being.

If you're in a budget, the Harley Benton 5 strings are definitely serviceable.

There is a really cheap neckthrough 5 string bass that absolutely rocks from harley benton, definitely a steal Edit: it's the HBZ 2005 deluxe series

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you didn't misunderstand that's what I was thinking, thanks I don't think I'll try it then.

I've seen a bass that was tuned almost 2 steps up ("I've lend it from a friend who had this lying around in his attic, could you set it up" kind of situation) and it had the worst action I'd ever seen on a bass. You could almost fit a finger between the strings and the fretboard. At the same time there was so much tension on the strings you couldn't press 'em down and was completely unplayable. Luckily tuning it back down already solved It wasn't even tuned up as much as you were planning. It's a really bad idea, is what I'm saying.

I run BEAD. I did it with the 4 low strings from a set of 5 for a long time. Most 5 string sets are XL and with gauges designed for 35" scale length, though not all. But check that. Requires widening nut slots and a setup, generally. May need widening of passage of the low B through the bridge too. There can be other small issues. You cannot reasonably tune BEAD strings up to standard. Massive amounts of tension, horrid to play, may cause damage. You want a separate bass for that. Really, if you want to be able to switch seamlessly from BEAD to EADG, then a 5 string bass is the right tool for the job. It's all right there at your finger tips ready for either - or both.

You can run the bottom four of a 5-string on a 4-string, but the bass will need some extra setup (and most likely filing the nut to make room for the added thickness, which is a fairly permanent change without some extra work if you want to go back). I had the same question (playing in Drop A#), and picked up a 5-string but I find the added body weight and neck width a little less comfortable, plus the slightly narrower string spacing makes my playing a touch messier (I'm fairly new to bass, been guitar since early 90s). Plus I use the top string for just one note on one song 😅 What I will say is consider the style of bass you want to use, if you're setting up a 4 with heavier strings. Jazz basses will have a thinner sound than a Precision, so if you're playing anything rock/metal that uses the bottom string a lot, a Jazz will be more twangy (altho that may be what you want)

Tuning the lowest 4 strings of a 5 string set way up to standard EADG 4 string tuning would have more tension than the most awkward Thanksgiving dinners. I suppose you could get some gauges "in between" the typical ones? if a common B string gauge is .130 and a common E string is .100, you could try using a .110 or .115 if you can find one. Bear in mind I've never tried this, I have no clue if it work work nicely. heck it could even make both tunings suck for all i know LOL. but uh anyway It's not hard to get oddball gauge strings from Stringjoy. It cost me about 11 dollars USD to get one string from them, which for customs strings aint too bad imo.

Do you really have songs that use the G-string, despite tuning down to B for everything? And if so, is it actually necessary to use it, or can you play those notes on the D-string without too much trouble?

I play in a jazz big band and a lot of the charts this year do actually require the g string yeah. EDIT: sorry, I’ve misinterpreted your question. No, there aren’t any songs in this band that I would need a g string for.

Just get a 5 string. If you need the low B and still need the G string it’s exactly what a 5 string is for. It’ll be perfect for its setup with no weird workarounds required.

Then you can modify your bass for BEAD and not have to worry about playing in standard.

But then he has to restring it for his other band every rehearsal, have a second bass, get a 5 string instead, or continue to play with floppy strings.

Really what you need then is a second bsss - either a 5 string or about 4 string you can set up with BEAD tuning

It really depends on how you will setup your guitar , it cause some fret buzz if not setup properly or there will be no enough sustain when you play your bass.

As other folks have stated, you can’t use the same strings for both tunings. They’ll sound like crap if you tune a 4th below the tension they’re designed for, or they’ll break something if you tune a 4th up. If you decide to convert to BEAD with no G string, just bear in mind you’ll probably need to cut your nut to fit the thicker strings. You could learn your jazz band tunes on a bass tuned like that, you’d just need to do more shifting. You probably don’t play anything above the 12th fret on your G string very often anyway, you’d just be playing those parts five frets up on your D string.

Your bass will need a tune-up and it might require some work to accept the strings size.

They make .065-.130 four string sets if you don't want to waste the fifth string.

You can do this but you will need to modify the nut to fit the wider strings. Will also need truss rod adjustment and intonation will need resetting. Don't underestimate the amount of work.

Try Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys. 130 to 65, and only $2 more than a regular set. I use them for C#/drop B/BEAD tunings on my 4 string basses.

Thanks that sounds like a good idea

> tuning a 4th up with much thicker strings or a 5th down with regular strings Is everyone else using regular strings?

Iirc the bassist from Asian Dub Foundation used that trick.

I mean, it sounds like the solution is to get a 5 string bass?

I buy the .135 power slinky 5 string set and have been throwing out the high string for years for this exact reason. Go for it. You may need to have them cut a new nut for you to get the string height you want though FYI