ID these or XL's?

[ErnieD]

Im about to change strings on my used L2500 for the first time. It now has a set of strings I really like, they are just getting old n worn, kinda like me, I just cant ID them to replace em. Maybe someone here can help, they have black cloth winding at tuner end and all 5 strings are exposed core (sorry no pics to offer). I just bought some EXL170-5 reg lite gauge nickels (130-B) just from placing the new strings against the old ones and eyeballing em, looks like the old ones are the same gauge or very close, thats cool and it looks like they are nickels too, again cool.
The new XL's are not tapered or exp cored, just solid if you will. The old strings on my bass are strung thru body, the exp core of all 5 strings do not touch the bridge saddles. If I use the XL's, will I notice a sonic difference using solid wound strings now or any other issues? Im waiting a couple days to use em or take em back and shop some more. The old strings have a nice thump to em. Thanks for any help here y'all.

[Koki]

You wont have any big problems. Maybe you will need to adjust the intonation and that's it. D'addarios are great strings. EXL 45-105 are my favorite D'addarios.

[ErnieD]

Well the B string was too short to string thru body on my L2500. New pack of EXL-170-5strings, reg light gauge, long scales. I had to string the B string on the bridge, the other strings went thru body fine. Now the B string sits up a little higher than the other strings, a little awkward feeling. Is there a extra long scale XL170 B string I can order. What are the XL-165's like?

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by ErnieD

Well the B string was too short to string thru body on my L2500. New pack of EXL-170-5strings, reg light gauge, long scales. I had to string the B string on the bridge, the other strings went thru body fine. Now the B string sits up a little higher than the other strings, a little awkward feeling. Is there a extra long scale XL170 B string I can order. What are the XL-165's like?

yes, go to the D'addario site..they do make extra longs


however...how can where you string the B affect the action???

just lower your saddle

...and don't forget to adjust your intonation on all of your strings...

also, here's a tip...when putting on new strings...once you've got your intonation set...push down on the string just in front of the bridge, to give it a good break angle over the saddle...this will help the note definition A LOT!

[ErnieD]

The B string was clacking all over the place strung thru body, the tapered end at the headstock did not clear the nut, so I had to restring it on the bridge to get thru a gig tonite. All the other strings went thru the body fine, again none are tapered. The intontation stayed on the money, even the B, strung over the bridge. I could not tell a difference sonically. Even tho the B string sits higher than the other strings its intonated(?), did not have to do an adjustment Should I lower the saddle to get the B lower, then re-intonate? Once I got to playing I could not feel the higher B string as I played. But I'd like to string the B thru the body just the same, dont want to stress the bridge, if thats possible. But all seems well otherwise. Is there a XL 170 or other Da'D B string thats exposed core or tapered I can use, in case I decide to change it out?

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by ErnieD

The B string was clacking all over the place strung thru body, the tapered end at the headstock did not clear the nut, so I had to restring it on the bridge to get thru a gig tonite. All the other strings went thru the body fine, again none are tapered. The intontation stayed on the money, even the B, strung over the bridge. I could not tell a difference sonically. Even tho the B string sits higher than the other strings its intonated(?), did not have to do an adjustment Should I lower the saddle to get the B lower, then re-intonate? Once I got to playing I could not feel the higher B string as I played. But I'd like to string the B thru the body just the same, dont want to stress the bridge, if thats possible. But all seems well otherwise. Is there a XL 170 or other Da'D B string thats exposed core or tapered I can use, in case I decide to change it out?

first...you're not going to stress the bridge...the B is the lowest tension string in the bunch, and having only one through the bridge is not going to stress the bridge in the least.

I don't think that D'add makes a tapered core...they do make extra long gauge strings, though...check out their entire line on their website...you can get singles from juststrings.com...

if you don't notice anything while you're playing, then leave it...

if you want to adjust the action, then reintonate, it's up to you, it 's a personal thang...

[ErnieD]

Thanks PLRBass, I lowered the saddle and now the B string sits a little lower and not higher than the rest of the strings. The intonation was just barely off and I fixed that. I had already ordered another set of XL-170's, cheap online, as backups for this set on my L25K but now with what I know of the shorter B, think I'll take the Slinkeys off the Sray 5 and try the XL's on the ray based on another thread I just read here. I still want to try some DR's on the G&L next string change, Sunbeams maybe? Never used any DR's before and I like a nice low end thump out of my L25K, playing mostly in passive. The XL's are sounding pretty good so far.

[Liko]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

I don't think that D'add makes a tapered core...they do make extra long gauge strings, though...check out their entire line on their website...you can get singles from juststrings.com...

They do make a tapered B, in .125, .130 and .135 gauges. I don't know if they make em in super long (for 34" string-through-body or any 35"). JustStrings should be able to get you one, or you can see if there's a dealer nearby that does D'Addario's Bass Station, which allows you to pick any four-string set and customize your 5th and 6th strings.

EDIT: Here ya go; Tapered XL .130 in Super Long scale - Just Strings
They also have the non-tapered in Super Long which will match the rest of your strings and will allow you to string it through-body.

To fix the issue of the bridge-strung string being higher than the rest, you can "set" the string over the saddle. Detune the string slightly, then press firmly with thumb and forefinger on the string just on either side of the saddle. You'll create a bend in the string. Tune the bass back up and that bend will result in the string lying flatter over the saddle for a lower overall action. It also gives slightly better sustain (better anchor at the saddle for transfer of vibration) and more stable tuning (same reason; better anchor point at the saddle). If it's still high, then consider lowering the saddles.