B String Question

madbassplaya · #1 01-26-2013, 06:55 AM

Been playing a while now and I started with a 5 string bass with a low B, so i'm not a 5 string noob.

I see a lot of guys going bigger in the B string world .135 plus. I've tried a .135 one time and it was HUGE to me. I've been using a .130 for a while now but I'm just not satisfied with the tone of the string as I have been with a smaller B string (.125). I've used three different brands with a .130 and none of them satisfy me as much as the tone of a smaller string.

Why is this? it's only .05 of a difference.

Mr_Music90 · #2 01-26-2013, 08:44 AM

Well, the difference is tension

The thicker a string is, the higher the tension. So, Some people prefer a .125 B, others (like me) a .140

madbassplaya · #3 01-26-2013, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Well, the difference is tension

The thicker a string is, the higher the tension. So, Some people prefer a .125 B, others (like me) a .140

I like a more taut string but the smaller B's seem to sound less thuddy and more natural.

**MostlyBass** · #4 01-26-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I like a more taut string but the smaller B's seem to sound less thuddy and more natural.

I agree. I've also found different gauge B strings react differently depending on the gauges and setup of the other strings. I' tried 125s - 143s (143 from Circle K) and 135 or 140 seems to be the sweet spot for me.

But Circle K does make a great string!

73jbass · #5 01-26-2013, 09:41 AM

If you are playing a 35" scale bass, anything over a .130 probably isn't needed. String style,core,and technique all factor in too. I used .135s on all my 5 and 6 strings (34"),but I lightened up my touch a while back,and a .130 does just fine.

brianerwin · #6 01-26-2013, 09:43 AM

I started out with the .130 on mine as it came with the bass as standard I assume. I like it a lot
But I guess I just got used to it. The 135 & 140 sounds really big, maybe would be more loose on the
Bass guitar, not sure though. It would have to be a major adjustment to the nut on my bass to go bigger.

Mr_Music90 · #7 01-26-2013, 10:10 AM

What is it what you are looking for?

madbassplaya · #8 01-26-2013, 10:14 AM

Maybe i'm just more used to the sound of a smaller B now? I used .125 for years and it was great and I used a .128 once (labelle, I believe) and it was outstanding as well. I've recently started using some different sets that I really dig the EADG strings but I don't care for the .130 B string. I've tried bigger B's and smaller B's and it seems I enjoy the smaller a bit more.

I'm guessing that a .130 plus has more wraps on it and that's what is causing the difference in tone.

SoVeryTired · #9 01-26-2013, 02:47 PM

The worst B I tried was a .135. The best was a .136. It's not just about the gauge.

(If you hadn't guessed, the .136 is a Circle K.)

madbassplaya · #10 01-26-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

The worst B I tried was a .135. The best was a .136. It's not just about the gauge.

(If you hadn't guessed, the .136 is a Circle K.)

So what do you think the difference between the two? Is it the core, or the number of wraps?

Epitaph04 · #11 01-26-2013, 08:12 PM

I'm really liking the 125 I have on my Bongo, but that's more of a feel thing than anything.

madbassplaya · #12 01-26-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

I'm really liking the 125 I have on my Bongo, but that's more of a feel thing than anything.

I used a .125 Sunbeam on a Bongo 5HH and Stingray 5HH and they both killed!

groooooove · #13 01-26-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Been playing a while now and I started with a 5 string bass with a low B, so i'm not a 5 string noob.

I see a lot of guys going bigger in the B string world .135 plus. I've tried a .135 one time and it was HUGE to me. I've been using a .130 for a while now but I'm just not satisfied with the tone of the string as I have been with a smaller B string (.125). I've used three different brands with a .130 and none of them satisfy me as much as the tone of a smaller string.

Why is this? it's only .05 of a difference.

.05 is a huge difference.. it may be a small number, but when it comes to a musical instrument, and its strings, the smallest adjustment can make a huge difference.

if you found what you like, stick to it. what works for you is what matters, even if my B string is half an inch thick.

SoVeryTired · #14 01-27-2013, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

So what do you think the difference between the two? Is it the core, or the number of wraps?

I couldn't really say. I'm not sure what Circle K do differently but it's the first B that feels and sounds like a regular string, rather than one that needs special treatment and a light touch. Possibly the number of wraps. The result is that it looks big but doesn't feel it and doesn't produce a dead thud.

Mr_Music90 · #15 01-27-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

I couldn't really say. I'm not sure what Circle K do differently but it's the first B that feels and sounds like a regular string, rather than one that needs special treatment and a light touch. Possibly the number of wraps. The result is that it looks big but doesn't feel it and doesn't produce a dead thud.

Plus the gauges that Circle K makes are a bit different then most string producers make

rimbaud · #16 01-27-2013, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

If you are playing a 35" scale bass, anything over a .130 probably isn't needed. String style,core,and technique all factor in too. I used .135s on all my 5 and 6 strings (34"),but I lightened up my touch a while back,and a .130 does just fine.

Yep I've experienced the same thing: while using a 36" fiver, 130 was quite good, 135 perfect; Then coming back to a 34" JB, had to came down to a 125 tappered, 130 was even to muddy, probably because of the lack of definition due to shorter scale.

SoVeryTired · #17 01-27-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rimbaud

Yep I've experienced the same thing: while using a 36" fiver, 130 was quite good, 135 perfect; Then coming back to a 34" JB, had to came down to a 125 tappered, 130 was even to muddy, probably because of the lack of definition due to shorter scale.

I think that's the opposite actually. A longer scale would mean that a lighter string would have more tension so, for example, a .125 on a 35" may have the same tension as say a .130 on a 34". So you'd want a heavier gauge on a shorter scale to avoid it being too floppy.

capnsandwich · #18 01-27-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Been playing a while now and I started with a 5 string bass with a low B, so i'm not a 5 string noob.

I see a lot of guys going bigger in the B string world .135 plus. I've tried a .135 one time and it was HUGE to me. I've been using a .130 for a while now but I'm just not satisfied with the tone of the string as I have been with a smaller B string (.125). I've used three different brands with a .130 and none of them satisfy me as much as the tone of a smaller string.

Why is this? it's only .05 of a difference.

It really depends on the bass, the strings and your touch. I've had 5 strings that had floppy B strings and never really satisfied me. Then, I've had basses with great B strings and I've used the same strings gauge and everything. Also, some people play with a heavier touch and can benefit from a lighter gauge string. Others, like myself, are finesse players and a lighter gauged string sounds a little thinner to me than a heavier one. String construction, especially the core, come into play as well. A hexagonal core will feel tighter than a round core string.

String Theory · #19 01-27-2013, 08:53 AM

I like the tension on the B string to match the E. The best strings I have played are the Circle k Strings .142. I have also had success with Daddarios .145.

millsbass5 · #20 01-27-2013, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

If you are playing a 35" scale bass, anything over a .130 probably isn't needed. String style,core,and technique all factor in too. I used .135s on all my 5 and 6 strings (34"),but I lightened up my touch a while back,and a .130 does just fine.

^^^^
"but I lightened up my touch..."-QUOTE

That's the key right there to a good-sounding low "B". No matter what gauge you use.