Using a E as an B

[sanitarium]

OK i'm talking about bass here but i'm sure it can be applied for guitar as well. I Can't get on with a 5 string bass at all and I need that low B as the guitarists in my band are switching to 7 string guitars. I don't like detuning because the string are way to slack to play properly and you get tons of fret buzz.
Would it work if I just bought a pack of strings for a 5 string and stuck them on leaving me with a G string I can have spare for my other basses? I know i'm have to sort the truss rod out but would this be the only problem. I really can't afford to spend #20 on a set of string that I may be wasting.

Thanks

[rory]

That should work...although you may need to widen the slots in your bass's nut to fit the thicker strings.

[sanitarium]

Ah yes, there's my other concern, If I widen the gaps in the nut then I won't be able to go back to the original strings would i?

[darren wilson]

I tried that exact thing on my fretless bass when i wanted the lower range of a 5-string. Unfortunately on my Badass II bridge, the heavy strings would not fit through the hole at the rear of the bridge, so i had to opt for a heavy-gauge 4-string set.

Why can't you get on with a 5-string bass?

[sanitarium]

Ah, I might not go for it then. I don't know why I can't get on with 5 strings, the neck dimentions feel all weird, though saying that If I was gonna get one with more strings then I'd get a 6!
I can't really afford a new guitar now anyway.

[darren wilson]

Well, it depends on the bridge. The Badass II loads the strings through the "tailpiece" part of the bridge and the holes are rather small. Other bridges may have larger openings to accommodate heavier strings. Bridges that load the strings through the body may also be a viable option. But try it out and see if you like it.

For what it's worth, Hipshot also makes a 4- to 5-string conversion kit that allows you to convert a Precision-style 4-string to a 5er.