A Good B-string is hard to find...

fretlessman71 · #1 05-31-2008, 11:45 AM

Lately it seems like every B string from every set I buy doesn't sound right (save for one). Doesn't matter which of my 5 strings I put it on, or what brand I put on which, every B string has this unbalanced, wobbly, wooly, phase-y sound to it, like I'm running it through some strange effects. Oftentimes the strings are DRs, but I've noticed it with Ernie Ball and Rotosound as well. (Don't tell me D'Addario; I don't like the way they sound in the first place.) It just doesn't seem like there's a good consistent B string out there...

..except for one. I got a set of LaBella Super Steps (good gravy! I think I've typed this 3 times today; I really don't mean to sound like an ad OR a broken record folks, please forgive me!), and it gave me a solid, clear, B, and the tone was good all the way up to the 12th fret. Subsequent sets have also done well on the B string.

So do any of you have good luck with a particular string maker as far as the B string goes? LaBellas are hard to find in this neck of the woods...

Steve · #2 05-31-2008, 11:51 AM

I've had issues with DR taperwounds.

I've never had an issue with Sadowsky strings and I've been through close to fifty sets.

I've never had issues with Dean Markley SR2000's

CrashClint · #3 05-31-2008, 11:59 AM

I have never tried the Super Steps, how do the rest of the strings sound.

On my Roscoe basses I use DR Black Beauties/Red Devils and have not experienced the problem you are having.

I have tried Clear Tone strings and they absolutely sounded horrible on my Roscoe. All the strings seemed to have some funky overtones.

fretlessman71 · #4 05-31-2008, 12:09 PM

Steve, good to know it's not just me. I've never tried/seen Sadowsky strings around here in No. Colorado; I'll be on the lookout.

Clint, the rest of the Super Steps strings sound equally terrific. A little brash, so if that's not your thing, be warned, but I've liked mine an awful lot.

nemo · #5 05-31-2008, 12:13 PM

Yep, full satisfaction with - guess what - LaBella Hard Rocking Steel B.
My go-to strings for fivers with rounds.

DavePlaysBass · #6 05-31-2008, 12:58 PM

Labella HRS has definition and punch that I have not heard on other B strings.

knuckle_head · #7 05-31-2008, 02:36 PM

Balancing the set may assist in more cogent/cohesive tone and behavior - and from a construction perspective I like Dean Markley and La Bella B strings.

fretlessman71 · #8 06-01-2008, 03:35 AM

I found a few sets of LaBella 5-string Super Steps at a place in Denver on the way to the gig. And lo and behold, they've made all the difference. I'm hooked! Sure wish more people out here in CO knew about these strings. What a difference in tone quality! Yumpin' Yiminy!

DavePlaysBass · #9 06-01-2008, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

I found a few sets of LaBella 5-string Super Steps at a place in Denver on the way to the gig. And lo and behold, they've made all the difference. I'm hooked! Sure wish more people out here in CO knew about these strings. What a difference in tone quality! Yumpin' Yiminy!

In CO I find that I need to use the INET for about everything. That is if you are picky. If you are cool with Fender and Daddario for all your needs, you can typically find that locally.

PilbaraBass · #10 06-01-2008, 04:36 AM

My Squier V came stock with Fender 7150 Stainless Steel strings...the B is a .125 and sounds pretty darn good...the feel of the strings is a little rough for me (I have D'Addario nickels on another bass and think they feel quite a bit smoother), but the sound is nice and deep with a good growly overtone...

I'd like to give the Fender nickel wounds a try, possibly with a .130 B instead (i like to be just a tad tighter).

Like to give the LaBellas a try, too..but I'd have to source them from America, I fear.

pickles · #11 06-01-2008, 09:47 AM

Super Steps are a lot like dean markley SR2000s. I like them, but the Hard Rockin Steel and Slappers sets (taperwound instead of exposed core) have even better low Bs.

jasper383 · #12 06-01-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

I found a few sets of LaBella 5-string Super Steps at a place in Denver on the way to the gig. And lo and behold, they've made all the difference. I'm hooked! Sure wish more people out here in CO knew about these strings. What a difference in tone quality! Yumpin' Yiminy!

These people have the best prices for La Bella strings I have found:

http://imperialguitar.stores.yahoo.n...-la-bella.html

No affiliation. I'm amazed at the price differences for La Bellas out there.

Captain_Arrrg · #13 06-01-2008, 10:04 AM

When I first put a set of Sunbeams on my 6, I had the same problem. Once I got used to playing it though, the tone was amazing.

As for buying strings, +1 for what Dave said. I buy mine from juststrings.com.

pickles · #14 06-01-2008, 12:26 PM

I get all my labellas from imperial.

CrashClint · #15 06-01-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

Steve, good to know it's not just me. I've never tried/seen Sadowsky strings around here in No. Colorado; I'll be on the lookout.

Clint, the rest of the Super Steps strings sound equally terrific. A little brash, so if that's not your thing, be warned, but I've liked mine an awful lot.

I appreciate the insight. I have thought about trying these, but I was wondering how bright they would sound. I kind of prefer the softer sound.

pickles · #16 06-01-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

I appreciate the insight. I have thought about trying these, but I was wondering how bright they would sound. I kind of prefer the softer sound.

Go with LaBella Slappers.

tomvelsor · #17 06-01-2008, 04:22 PM

i can almost guarentee if you put any of those low B's on a fodera, it would sound tight..

i havent used a differnt brand of strings in a real long time though..i always use S.I.T. strings, give them a try if you like. never had trouble with the low B, even on my old $300 johnson 6 string.

fretlessman71 · #18 06-05-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

Go with LaBella Slappers.

Right. They're a nickel version of the same string, without the exposed core aspect.

bassbrock · #19 06-05-2008, 11:08 AM

I've used about a dozen or more sets of Curt Mangan Nickel Wound Bass Strings and all the strings, including the Low B, have been extremely consistent. Not a single dud in the pack(s). This is over a three year period that I've been using them. I change about every 3-4 months.

http://www.curtmangan.com/bass.php

Worth a try. I've been extremely pleased with the tone of these strings on all my basses. I even used them on the JB Player Acoustic-Electric bass I just sold.

Jackrockson · #20 06-05-2008, 03:05 PM

Bass is the best one string it you know!

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