Help me with 35" and good B-string

hgrind · #1 11-10-2008, 04:35 AM

I've got a Lakland Skyline Joe Osborne 5-string. I currently use DR Hi-beams 45-65-80-100-125. I'm looking for alternatives for two reasons; I want to be able to buy this gauges in one package (makes it easier) and most importantly, I'm not 100% satisfied with the B-string. The alternatives I've come up with are:

- SIT Rock Bright Nickels (125 B-string and cheap)
- D'Addario EXP XL (130 B-string)
- La Bella Slappers (125 B-string)

I've heard good things about the La Bella B-strings, but I don't know about the others.

Thanks in advance for any help!

DavePlaysBass · #2 11-10-2008, 08:03 AM

Labella does make a good B string. But they do not do a lot of 45-100 sets. I would be surprised if you would be able to find a 45-100-125 set from Labella.

Darkstrike · #3 11-10-2008, 08:07 AM

Lowriders?

hgrind · #4 11-10-2008, 08:14 AM

DavePlaysBass, they actually have Slappers sets with 45-65-80-100-125.

Those three sets I have listed all have 45-100 with eiter a 125 or a 130 B-string in one set.

Darkstrike, maybe Lo-Riders have a great B-string, but then I have to order a single 125/130 string in addition to a 45-100 set.

Darkstrike · #5 11-10-2008, 08:18 AM

Ah, didn't know that.

prokfrog · #6 11-10-2008, 11:56 AM

Aren't the Labella's tapered on all strings?

prokfrog · #7 11-10-2008, 12:01 PM

[. The alternatives I've come up with are:

- SIT Rock Bright Nickels (125 B-string and cheap)
- D'Addario EXP XL (130 B-string)
- La Bella Slappers (125 B-string)

The SIT standard set isn't long enough, and hteir extra long offering is not in those gages.

I'm having the same dilema

hgrind · #8 11-10-2008, 12:02 PM

I think the Super Steps are. I actually don't know about the Slappers. Maybe they're like the Hard Rockin' Steels. Aren't they tapered on E and B?

prokfrog · #9 11-10-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgrind

I think the Super Steps are. I actually don't know about the Slappers. Maybe they're like the Hard Rockin' Steels. Aren't they tapered on E and B?

I recently bought a set of slappers. Nowhere could i find any info whether they were tapered or not , so i assumed they were not because typically, it's stated somewhere. Not even on the LaBella Site!! The B E A & D were all tapered upon arrival.

pissed me off

basshero1107 · #10 11-10-2008, 03:16 PM

i have a schecter elite 5. its a 35' scale and has an awesome b string. it may be because of my d'addarios. i dont know what model they are but they are super bright and give me a really clear b string. the only thing is that they dont last too long. but thats what i would recommend.

rogueman · #11 11-10-2008, 03:16 PM

D'Addario EPS and XL makes a PSB 130,135 and 145 in Super Long scale for 35' and over. Get your favorite shop to stock S/L Sets for you. I just got some Pro Steels and they sound great.

Liko · #12 11-10-2008, 04:28 PM

I use D'Addario EXL170-5SLs (do not get long scale for a 35" fiver; you'll need super-longs) on my Yammie fiver. It's what it came strung with. I have never put coated strings on any bass, and have not even seen EXPs in a fiver much less super-long (they have them though). What I do know is that the EXLs tend to go dull faster than it's worth it to buy them, and I use EXPs on an acoustic guitar with far better results than non-coated sets on my electric with about equal play time. If the EXP lasts twice as long for half again the price, I say go for it. GC doesn't keep either set in stock, so if you have to special-order anyway you might as well keep those particular experiences few and far between.

That said, La Bella makes some damn good strings, so if you have to special order, why not try a pack of each? Haven't heard of SIT and therefore cannot comment.

JEDI BASS · #13 11-10-2008, 04:41 PM

I'm pretty happy w/ my Laklands and DR longneck B strings. I've played many brands on many 35" basses. A better B is a longer B. If you can't go longer like a 37" Dingwall bass, the next best alternative is a fatter B. I wish more manufacturers would make better balanced sets w/ lighter D and G strings w/ heavier E and B strings (135 110 85 60 40) would be nice.

Anyways, good luck finding packaged sets to meet your needs. You'll probably end up doing like I've done in the past and ordering individual strings from juststrings.com .

rockambo · #14 11-10-2008, 04:55 PM

I use the D'addario 145 guage string for my B. Once you use it, you're pretty much stuck with it, but it makes a big difference.

http://www.juststrings.com/dad-xlb145tsl.html

I have seen these other long strings that stop the wind and have an extra few inches of core without tapering down. I don't know who makes them, but they also look like an interesting option because you can feed them through a string thru body or around the tuner much easier.

hgrind · #15 11-11-2008, 09:40 AM

prokfrog, according to La Bella, the Slappers were tapered, but they're not anymore. You must have gotten an old set then.

prokfrog · #16 11-11-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgrind

prokfrog, according to La Bella, the Slappers were tapered, but they're not anymore. You must have gotten an old set then.

Good to know

Thanks!!!

Solarmist · #17 11-11-2008, 07:20 PM

SIT strings are fantastic for the $$, and last.