DR Hi-Beams Low B - .125 or .130?

[Tony G]

I'm going to order a set of DR Hi Beams for my Nordy vJ5, but I'm not sure which size low B to go with. I've always loved Hi Beams on my Fender Jazz, but that obviously doesn't have a low B. I hope hi beams will sound just as good on my Nordy, but is there any advantages to one size of the low B over the other?

Edit: I should mention I plan to the medium set: 45-65-85-105-?

[SteveC]

Never tried a .130. I lik ethe .125 I have on my bass now. I've never liked heavy strings, though.

[RCCollins]

.130 might just be more boom than you're hoping for. Voted .125 for your first go-round. If that doesn't quite cut it, move up.

[thehurlatron]

I voted .125

IMO, I've always felt I get the nice low end, but a little more focused/controlled sound from the .125 over the .130 or .135. For me it seems the .125 is a bit more "even" with the rest of the stings. ( so no G D A E BBBBBBBBBBBB )

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by thehurlatron

I voted .125

IMO, I've always felt I get the nice low end, but a little more focused/controlled sound from the .125 over the .130 or .135. For me it seems the .125 is a bit more "even" with the rest of the stings. ( so no G D A E BBBBBBBBBBBB )

Really, even with the loose tension of Hi beams? I would have thought that bringing the gauge up to .130 would help give a hi beam low B more stability and sound more focused.

[Tony G]

I expected there to be more chatter about this topic considering it seems like one out of every 2 people here seem to use hi beams.

[maconbass]

The .125 Hi-Beam is the most even, punchy B string (in the mix) on my Sadowsky J out of the different namebrands I've tried. I have not tried the .130 but don't feel the need to.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Never tried a .130. I lik ethe .125 I have on my bass now. I've never liked heavy strings, though.

+1 I've been using the Hi Beam .45-.125 set for quite a number of years. I kind of like the 'logical feel and extension' of the .20 increments up and down the strings. It feels and sounds like more of an extension of the E string (which I prefer at this point versus the 'watch out, he's playing the B string' monster boom). It seems easier to intonate more accurately also than the super fat ones, although that's a minor issue.

My primary basses are 34" scale, but have VERY stiff flat sawn rock maple necks (like the Nordy), and the .125 feels tight and has similar tension 'feel' to the other strings.

I'd try the .125's. If you are looking for a slightly meatier and slightly tighter feeling B, it's easy to go up to the .130 next time.

I really like that even balance though!

[Gordon of Eden]

I voted other. I have been trying to like the hi-beams. I used to use them on my Modulus basses with good results but have not been liking them at all on my F bass or stingray 5. I've gone back to my beloved Blue Steels. I find they have a "springier" sound and a bit more flexible feel. I wish they offered a .130 but the .128 is OK. I find a .125 un-playable

[Tony G]

Well, I've gotten some good advice here, but I think I'm going to go the opposite way. I'm going to try the .130 first, and if it is too much I'll simply go back down to the .125.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Well, I've gotten some good advice here, but I think I'm going to go the opposite way. I'm going to try the .130 first, and if it is too much I'll simply go back down to the .125.

In some ways, that's probably the safer bet, since most prefer a slightly 'bigger' B string. Let us know what you think.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by KJung

In some ways, that's probably the safer bet, since most prefer a slightly 'bigger' B string. Let us know what you think.

This is what I was thinking. The Low B on my MTD 635 is so close in tone and playability compared to the rest of the string on that bass, that I was kind of taken back on it. My Nordy on the other hand has a slightly more thick sounding low B, offering more of a deep pillow of bass rather than the deep roundwound growl of the MTD's low B. I like both for what they are, but sometimes favor the deep pillow (like I used to get on my old Roscoe SKB3006). But the strings I've had on my Nordy haven't quite brought me complete satisfaction as I've had everything but Hi Beams since I first got the bass.

[Modern Growl]

Hey Tony, any thoughts?
I'm kinda stuck deciding between 125's and 130's myself...