Anyone play a .145 B string?

waytoodeep03 · #1 11-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Im Curious to the sound.

What thinking of getting one on my roscoe with nords

jasper383 · #2 11-16-2009, 11:48 AM

It will match tension-wise with a .105 E string. It may spoil you, and the regular .130 B will seem floppy forevermore.

About a year back I bought a custom "even-tension" set of D'Addario rounds and the .105 E and the .145 B had about the same tension. It felt really good, had lots of overtones, and I no longer had to "back off" the B string when hitting it.

You may need to file the nut to get it to fit.

bassist4dalord · #3 11-16-2009, 11:54 AM

What was the custom "even-tensioned" set? I'm really curios about this .145 B now. What bass did you have it on? I play a Squier Affinity Jazz V with Ernie Ball Slinky .130 and I want to experiment a little. Thanks!

jasper383 · #4 11-16-2009, 12:02 PM

Go to the D'Addario website and check out their PDF catalog. They publish tensions for all of their strings.

You'll see that most pre-made sets you would buy in a store are really far off tension-wise. The D string is usually way tight, the E string a little loose, and the B string flabby.

Create a set of strings that has similar tension (a few pounds one way or another) all the way up. Then buy single strings from a place like Just Strings, and test it out.

Also, Circle K Strings (a new string maker) sells pre-made even tension sets. No affiliation.

It's worth a try. I know of a couple people who swear by even (or "balanced") tension sets.

knuckle_head · #5 11-16-2009, 12:06 PM

FWIW - a .140 would balance a bit better with a .105, and they're a little bit easier to come by than a .145 IME.

paganjack · #6 11-16-2009, 12:07 PM

i use a .145 d'addario on my ATK305.
It. ROCKS.
I switched a few months ago, and I will never go back. I use the heavy set (.55-.110), it matches well enough. I can even drop tune the B way low (I've gotten a decent G out of it)
The higher tension makes the B a lot more useable.

THSL · #7 12-04-2009, 09:12 AM

The .145 from D'addario is very good for a low A string... It will make a nice B string... Also check out Ken Smith's .145... It's a little floppy for A, but B is nice...

Thumbs up for Circle K strings... I just got my set put on last night. it's .200/.150/.112/.084/.064/.046...

The .150 is an amazing A string, and the .112 is an amazing D string...

dystopiate · #8 12-04-2009, 09:40 AM

I have long prefered a 135 to a 130 for B. I also like slightly lower tension, else I probably would have tried a 145 by now. I've often wondered if the tone would be a little muffled b/c of the mass of the string.

I love balanced sets and find my tone and technique improve SIGNIFICANTLY. I'm surprised more manufacturers don't offer the option. You can buy single strings direct from D'addario for better pricing than I've seen anywhere else. I have been using them for a long time, but haven't for a little while b/c of the tone from DR hi-beams has me hooked.

I'm looking seriously into Circle K as I keep hearing good things -- if anyone has any comparisons on the tone of Circle Ks, please let me know!

bassist4dalord · #9 12-04-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THSL

The .145 from D'addario is very good for a low A string... It will make a nice B string... Also check out Ken Smith's .145... It's a little floppy for A, but B is nice...

Thumbs up for Circle K strings... I just got my set put on last night. it's .200/.150/.112/.084/.064/.046...

The .150 is an amazing A string, and the .112 is an amazing D string...

Holy cow! What kind of bass is this?

FunkMetalBass · #10 12-04-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Holy cow! What kind of bass is this?

Sounds like it's a Knuckle bass, 5-string, tuned an octave lower.

I wish more string companies made .140 or higher strings. I don't care for D'Addarios, otherwise I'd use their strings for sure.

I can't warrant Octave4Plus strings prices for my 6-string, especially because I feel they die rather quickly, so next on my list is Circle K strings.

Man, $55.00 for the 6 String Set-Balanced Medium 150 Low Circle K strings is still a bit much for my tastes.

RickenBoogie · #11 12-04-2009, 05:58 PM

So, a low B, an octave below a regular low B? Holy crap, I've never heard of anything like that. Can you even hear a note that low?,and, how about amplifying it?, can it be done???

JAUQO III-X · #12 12-05-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I can't warrant Octave4Plus strings prices for my 6-string, especially because I feel they die rather quickly

I know every ones body chemistry is different but this is the first I've heard of this in regards to Octave4plus strings. And there are a lot of guys playing them. Even guitar players.

But I'm a firm believer that there's a first time for any thing.