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I don't if this has been discussed before, but to tune your Bass to BEAD do you need to add a B string from a fiver or can you detune your normal EADG. I've just put some new flats EADG on a fretless and detuned it to BEAD the strings are slack, but it seems to work. This give it a sound similar to a slack Double Bass. What's your thoughts.

I've done drop C on an E string before and it worked great. I actually think it was at the point where any more detuning would cause major clacking.

As long as you avoid clacking I say right on!

I use the BEAD strings from a 5-string set for this tuning. be aware though that you'll need to adjust your nut to accommodate the larger string diameters.

you should have no trussrod issues, since the difference in string tension for most string sets will be minimal

all the best,

R