B string note definition

[daveriedstra]

I play a five string Ibanez, and I love the idea of the extra range that the fifth string offers, but even a new B string has pretty poor note definition -- the attack is slower, upper harmonics ring out stronger, pitch isn't very clear, etc.

I've looked it up online, and it seems the consensus is to switch to a four string. My instructor says to only use it if necessary or in thick textures where the definition won't matter that much anyways.

Are there any general tips on getting better note definition out of your fifth string?

[Meatrus]

Do you mean a four string tuned BEAD? If so, I cant see how that would offer any more note definition (in fact I would go so far as saying it wouldnt). Its the same as a 5 string minus the G.

It may be worth experimenting with some different strings and gauges, I havent noticed any of the 5 and 6 strings I have owned sounding poorly. It could be you just dont like the sounds of notes that low.

[Joe Smithberger]

Try some taper wound strings like the Circle K balanced set on the 5.

[ZolkoW]

try a smaller (yes!) gauge. someone suggested me to do this, I was sceptical, as I like stiff strings better, but it worked. no I'm using 130 B instread of the usual 135.

[murphy]

I use 125 B strings.....usually a set of DR High beams.
The B will not sound like the other strings....usually a bit thicker and darker sounding up and down the neck

[billbern]

I've had very good luck with hex core stings improving B string issues. I don't know if it's the tension or what, I just know the B string sounds better.
Dr Low Riders in my case.

[jacoby75]

5-string basses tend to be pretty hit or miss with the quality of a low B. I play exclusively 5 strings now, and it depends on a lot of factors:

-the quality of the bass
-the tightness of the neck pocket
-quality of the tone woods
-electronics
-set up
-string gauge
-playing style
-size and power of amp and the speaker's ability to reproduce the low B frequencies.

There's no easy answer. I have only played a handful of basses with a really impressive B string. Having a bass that is 35" scale seems to help tighten up and focus the B string. I played a cheaper Schecter Stiletto Studio and a Yamaha TRB, both of which are "cheaper" in my opinion, 35" scale, and have very tight and focused B string. Lakland also makes basses that are known for having a tight B. However, I also just got a MIA Fender Jazz 5 with an awesome B, and that's 34" scale. I was impressed. Being able to string through the body helps too.

[daveriedstra]

Thanks everyone, you guys are awesome. I'll try out some of these suggestions, particularly the strings (saves me buying a new bass).

what I meant by the sites suggesting to use a four string is that they say to give up on the b string, hahah.

[Bass-Adrenaline]

Thats somethign you have to watch out for. There are die hard 4 banger fans who will do anything to get people away from 5ers for some reason. Ive met a few of these people and all i can do is lol. In most cases they just refuse to acknowledge the benefits of a 5 or just arent good with them/havnt really given a good 5er an honest try.

[Tandrew]

I currently have a Ibanez Sr505, the B string isn't flawless, but it works well. I typically tend to use it for notes between the 1st and 10th fret for both fingerstyle and slap.
It's difficult for me to articulate the notes higher up on the B string of the fretboard that sound good to my ears.

I'm using Ernie Ball Roundwounds (that have actually lasted a decent amount of time) and I feel there is pretty good articulation from the B string. On another note I also have D'Addario Chromes (flatwounds), I had a much tougher time producing a sound that I enjoyed from the B string (the string gauge is thicker).

I would also suggest playing closer to the bridge to try and get more feeling out of the B string. Good luck.

-Tan

[Ric5]

Turn down the bass and turn up the mids. This will bring out the growl on the low B.

[darkstorm]

Ive only played a small handfull of fivers with very good sounding low B string. Most dont sound that good for low B to me.

[DavePlaysBass]

I find the La Bella 128 tapered B to be the best. It may make your Ibanez sound a lot better. Hard Rockin' Steels, Slappers, Pedullas, and Carvin Rounds all use the La Bella 128 taper.

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

Originally Posted by Sheldon D.

We've experimented with all increments between 34" and 37", but have really focused on 35" and 37". Here's what we've found. We also have the luxury of being able to deal directly with string designers and manufacturers as well as design and manufacturer our own pickups so we're slowly getting a feel for what affects what.

Neck stiffness affects the string feel and tone. Floppy necks make the strings feel looser. Stiffer necks add clarity and focus to the B. You can make a neck stiffer with carbon fiber, stiffer woods, thicker dimensions etc.

Scale length to my ears affects harmonics. Shorter scales make it more difficult for the string to flex easily in the upper harmonics, damping them. This also results in the upper harmonics being further and further out of tune, with more energy dumped into the lower harmonics resulting in a warmer, thicker, denser tone. The attack is faster and with lighter strings the pitch rises more on the attack.

Longer scales allow more room for the upper harmonics to develop, they'll be more in tune, which is very noticeable when plugged into a tuner. The tone to my ears is more full-range, open and transparent. The attack is a little slower with less pitch rise. In general, you can play further up the neck without the notes warbling.

To be fair we've spent over a decade dialing in our strings for the 37" B, so they are pretty dialed in. However I have to assume that all the other string manufacturers have spent a good amount of time tweaking their strings for a 35" B so our comparisons are as accurate as I think you can get at this point.

To sum up: scale length is important, string design is important, neck construction is important, pickups are important, setup is important, body woods are important.

You can tweak one ingredient to compensate for the other and get good results, but in the end, why not tweak all of the ingredients to the max?

Everything contributes to (or detracts from) the sound of the guitar, and the performance of the B string. A well made (rigid neck) instrument will have a better B than a poorly made one . Amplification can help, but I believe the guitar is the determining factor.

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

Try a WATSON

[purpletornado]

Interesting thread. I just recently picked up a '99 BTB 1005 and the strings that came with are OK but the B is slightly less stiff than I would like. I got a set of DR Black Beauties, .045"-.105" + .125", with the bass so I decided to give those a try. After a little while I didn't really like the brightness of them. they sounded a little twangy for my tastes so I've been trying to figure out what string would give me a deeper tone and a slightly stiffer B. Does higher gauge on a B string equal stiffer feel? Or is that dependent on other factors?

Anyone have experience with the LaBella Deep Talkin' Stainless Rounds? How would flats fair in this situation?

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Ric5

Turn down the bass and turn up the mids. This will bring out the growl on the low B.

Roger that. You'll go thru a gazillion strings looking for the right one but, all too frequently, the problem lies with the bass itself. There are a handful of nasty bumps in the lower freq's that can mask the true color of your B string. Boosting the low-end just accentuates the problem; you're better off cutting the offending freq's to bring the B to life. A single band para EQ works wonders in this arena. I've been playing around with my fivers and pretty much found a repeating problem in the 80-90 hz region....but that's with my bass rig. YMMV.

Riis

[songwriter21]

You absolutely CANNOT go wrong with this B string. Every company says "piano-like clarity", but this B actually has that sound and it lasts forever.

This is, hands-down, the BEST low B string on the market. I don't endorse La Bella or work for them-I'm just extremely picky and these are unreal.

[hstingrayh]

I play Sting Rays 5 and use D'Addario nickel and ss,my B string on all of my basses are tight and solid.Setup is the answer!