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[ProDigit]

What would happen if I'd replace the silicone strings with regular (no thin, roundwound) bass strings?
The BEAD or BBEA strings of a 5 string bass, on an ashbory, tuned as EADG?

If I use BBEA, tuned as EADG, the string tension of AD and G should be ok, but the E string would use the same string as the A, resulting in lower tension.

I could also tune with roundwound BEAD strings, but then overall string tension might be a little low(strings might be sloppy).
Just wondering if anyone ever tried this before...

[Brock]

Metal bass guitar strings would:
1. Not function at such a short scale.
2. Potentially hurt the neck since it doesn't have a truss rod.
3. Eat away at the plastic fingerboard as though there was no tomorrow.

You can run a standard set of Ashbory strings at BEAD and it works nicely.

-Brock

[ProDigit]

Well, one of the things with metal strings is that they are heavier, and with the reduced length of the neck, may need less tension.

It may be true that roundwound strings would eat the fretboard.
Same is on my Squier Vintage Jazz bass, which also has a plastic fretboard.
However the damage there is only very little, and cosmetic, just like would be on a wooden fretboard of a fretless bass.

Some users had suggested to put flatwounds on them, but then it's sound would be more like an upright, and less flexible!

Just exploring possibilities... Not that I would do any of that, because flatwounds are not my style of strings; just wondering if the ball end would fit on the bridge.

[tauzero]

Well, one of the things with metal strings is that they are heavier, and with the reduced length of the neck, may need less tension.

Frequency is inversely proportional to length, and directly proportional to the square root of tension. So, as the length would be about half that of a standard bass, to keep the same frequencies, the strings would have to be 1/4 of the tension that they are on a standard bass. That would be pretty floppy.

[Gman]

I believe that metal string would snap the headstock right off

[ProDigit]

Well, one of the things with metal strings is that they are heavier, and with the reduced length of the neck, may need less tension.

Frequency is inversely proportional to length, and directly proportional to the square root of tension. So, as the length would be about half that of a standard bass, to keep the same frequencies, the strings would have to be 1/4 of the tension that they are on a standard bass. That would be pretty floppy.

Yes, I see, but noone says you can't put BEAD strings tuned as EADG?; you'd be tuning the string 5 semi's higher for the smaller neck,which kind of compensate.
Besides the rubber strings are floppy as is.

[tauzero]

Yes, I see, but noone says you can't put BEAD strings tuned as EADG?; you'd be tuning the string 5 semi's higher for the smaller neck,which kind of compensate.
Besides the rubber strings are floppy as is.

You could experiment on a standard bass to find out how well that would work. Take an EADG bass and tune it down to ADGC and see what the string tension is like - it won't be exact but it will be pretty close.