Fender American Jazz 5

ron_a218 · #1 05-06-2006, 11:36 AM

Just picked up this 5 string and bought some D'addario round wound to put on and the big diameter of the B string won't reach the nut by about an eighth of an inch. They were long scale but I guess since this bass has a through body bridge it made them too short. Only had a problem with the B. I'm not particularly fond of these strings at least at first, they're better after a few days . They were very clangy at first ( like most new round wounds) but the fretted tone was good.

Anybody have a suggestion of some round wounds that fit this bass. I play fingerstyle and did do a search. I plan on trying several types and even maybe some flats but I don't need to buy any that won't fit. Thanks, you guys are great. Ron A

cb56 · #2 05-06-2006, 11:42 AM

That's weird, i used D'Addario's EXL 170-5 on my Fender 5 strung through the body when I had it, and they worked fine. Is yours the passive model or the deluxe. I do know what you mean though because they won't reach on the B or E string on my 35" scale schecter Elite 5.

telekaster · #3 05-06-2006, 01:11 PM

I haven't tried much with my new G&L 5 string, but it has a string-through bridge and came stock with SIT strings. They were surprisingly nice. I have since changed then to DR sunbeams and they are excellent - clear and warm at the same time. I will probably try the nickel lo riders next, but will go back to sunbems if I like them better. From what I've heard, DRs are long enough for most any bass. I got then at www.stringthis.com. They have great prices on DR.

I was looking into Daddarios too and I belive you'll need the super long scale to go string-through.

steveb98 · #4 05-06-2006, 01:17 PM

I use D'addario's on my Fender Dlx 5 and MTD 35" 5 they seem to have enough length. I get the long scale set not the extra longs and I do string the Fender through the body.

Maybe regular strings got put in a long scale package???

ron_a218 · #5 05-06-2006, 04:15 PM

My jazz 5 is the passive with all 5 tuners in a row on the head stock as apposed to some that have the G on the bottom. I don't think either arrangement would have any impact, just scale length and extra length to go thru the body. These were the D'Addario EXL 170-5 long scale. Maybe I just got a short B. The closest music store is 40 miles and they don't have alot of choice especially 5 string. They did have a good selection of fender, Smith and Dean Markley, anyone use these? Thanks

KevinMG · #6 05-15-2006, 03:15 PM

I have 2 through body Fenders - an American Deluxe P-5 string and American Jazz 4 string.

You will want to look for strings with a 37" scale length to the silk or taper. Look at the Bass Player string review for a better list with the scale length. Here is my experience:

D'Addarios in the normal long scale won't reach when strung through body. You will need the super long scale if you want to string through body. I don't know how others have successfully used the long scale without the B on 5's and E of 4's falling about 1/4" short.

From my experience DR's (Nickel LoRider & Sunbeam) & Dean Markleys (NPS Roundcore, NickelSteel) fit easily. I'm sure that translates to other models in these brands. SIT makes a special set for G&L that is longer for through body and has a tapered B. I made the mistake ordering the standard set once and fortunately SIT was kind enough to send me what I needed.

Right now I'm liking the Dean Markley NickelSteels. Less tension than D'Addario, more than DR. Strong mids, mellow top and settle in nicely. They also have a nicely finished look with a grey/silver silking. Reasonably priced too. My second favorite is the Sunbeam - I like the flexibility and they tend to have a more hi-fi tone.

Good luck.

Sean Baumann · #7 05-15-2006, 03:42 PM

I have a set of DR Hi-Beams on my 5 string Fender at the moment. I think they sound pretty good not that they have settled a bit. They are very ruff on my hands though, even more so than the MTD strings I use on my 535. I don't dig how flexible they are, they seem to have alot of string travel, especially on the B. This keeps me from getting the action as low as I would like. Though, perhaps I need to shim the neck or something, i don't know... Anyway, they sound pretty good, and I am able to string them through the body.