Which brand/sets have tapered B strings?

[LifeIsBass]

I've got a Warwick Thumb 5 BO that needs a B string with a tapered end to fit in the bridge. The previous owner sent me a free pack of Warwick Red Labels with the bass so I've just been using that B string for the last few months. I've been using various other brands for the other other 4 strings because I really don't care for the 'Wick brand strings.

So, what other brands come with a tapered B?

Thanks!

[theLimeyBrit]

The previous owner of my 5er had it strung up with Elixirs, and the B was tapered on that set.

[Delberthot]

Elites from the UK are available as a 4 string set with a choice of 125 or 130 tapered B from the Bass Centre.

Alternatively you could just buy the tapered B with your choice of other strings

[KevinMG]

The easiest answer to give you would be: go to JustStrings.com and surf the site. They generally indicate where strings are tapered. You'll probably need to reference the manufacturer websites to further research for lengths. Since you have a 35" scale, the complicating factor is finding a string length long enough to clear the nut, and when dealing with tapers you need to make sure the taper is long enough to make it to the bridge. IME trying to find tapered B's for my string through body Fenders (which is effectively the length of a 35" scale) I had a hard time getting accurate info from the manufacturers and just had to try them myself.

SIT makes the Power Wound nickel sets for G&L basses, which are their only XL length product and come with a tapered .125 B on the 5-string sets. These should fit, but there are no other guages in this scale length. D'Addario's tapered super-long length was barely long enough to hit the bridge when strung through the body, but they fit the overall length. Fender makes the 8250's (nickel) for their string through body models, which have tapered E (.110) & B (.130).

You might be better off creating your own set by buying a tapered B separately. Depending on whether you want nickel or stainless, you have decent options here:

DR Longnecks (stainless) are tapered Lo-Riders and will fit the extra long scale. You can buy them individually at juststrings.com and pair up with a 4 string lo-rider set, though I've read about others pairing the Long Necks with a Hi-Beam set to get a more taught B string.

D'Addario probably has the best selection of tapered B strings in a variety of guages. Look for the "T-SL" at the end of the model name, which stands for tapered-super long (master of the obvious, I know). Tapered are available in XLs, Pro-Steels, and Half Rounds last I checked juststrings.com.

Ken Smith makes tapered strings (Bass Burners and Rock Masters) that you can buy separately or as a set. I've never tried these, but people tend to like Ken Smith strings from what I've read here.

Elixir makes tapered B strings as mentioned, that you can buy separately or as part of a set.

Hope that helps and good luck.

[LifeIsBass]

Awesome info KevinMG! Very much appreciated!

I'll probably end up going with the D'addario's since that's what I've been fairly happy with as of late for the other 4 strings on this bass. Price is good too.

Luckily, this bass is actually a 34", which makes things even easier.

Thanks again!

[bassic_element]

I fixed that problem with a vice grip hehehe.

[FoHBass]

In the 3 1/2 years I've had my 'wick, I've always just crimped the string with a vice grip, like bassic said. I always figured it wasn't a good thing to do, but Warwick recommends it on their set (of course after recommending their own strings), so it can't be that bad. Now if only DR Lo-riders came with more than a .125 low B...

[knarleybass]

Labella and also DR have taperd B string sets.

[snowdan]

simple...la bella hard rockin steel. best b string anyway.

[benmoore88]

sadowsky Bs are tapered and they are great strings!

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by benmoore88

sadowsky Bs are tapered and they are great strings!

Totally. Sadowsky strings are kick ass.

[SexFuneral]

Pyramids, they were so perfect.

DR's arent a bad string. I switched because I kept breaking them in like a week, always right at the saddle of the bridge.

SIT's are so-so. Ive heard talk of tapered Rotosounds, but havent found them in steels.

Most guitar shops peddle their own home made cables, ask around.

If only I wasnt allergic to nickel.....

[ibnzneksrul]

Dean Markley SR2000

[KevinMG]

Originally Posted by FoHBass

Now if only DR Lo-riders came with more than a .125 low B...

DR makes .130s for lo-riders. Juststrings.com has them in singles and as sets.