Dead B String

[Tahoe_Ed]

I think that I may have gotten a dead B string. I am not sure because I am playing through a small practice amp. GK MB 210 won't be here for another two weeks. All I get from the string is a super dull thud not a warm resonating low tone. It has a somewhat better sound in the upper registers. Suggestions? Wait until I get a better amp, contact the reseller for a replacement (this is a $39!! string) or "What did you expect it's a flatwound."

[basspro]

Hey Ed, we've missed you at the Nevada bassist club.
Well a B string thru a small practice amp isn't the best way to tell if you've got a dead
string or not.I would suggest you play through another amp first before you consiter it a bad string. Have you always used flats?

[Tahoe_Ed]

I started with rounds but quickly moved to flats, to the dismay of my instructor. I love the sound, maybe it is my generation and the music that I grew up with. But they do define the sound that I strive for. Right now I use them on my Gibson SG and the Washburn CB15. I have Fender Tapewounds on my Ibanez ABG. How about you?

[bassist4dalord]

What kind of flats are they that the B costs $39?? D'Addario Chromes B singles are ~$20 iirc.

[mmbongo]

How can you tell if a flatwound string is dead?

[Tahoe_Ed]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

What kind of flats are they that the B costs $39?? D'Addario Chromes B singles are ~$20 iirc.

These are Pyramid Golds. I really like them on my Gibson SG and put a set on my 5'er. Total cost for all 5 strings was almost $100. There was only one US distributer that had a set for a 5 string. Tried Chromes and took them off after 3 days. I did not like their brightness.

[tobie]

Originally Posted by Tahoe_Ed

I think that I may have gotten a dead B string.

If it's a new string, it's highly unlikely. Can you perhaps test it on another guitar? Isn't the nut 'pinching' it? Does it sound 'dead' when you play it fretted?