Ken Smith B-string sounds undefined. The bass or the strings?

Chad.mundt · #1 09-24-2007, 04:34 AM

I have a Ken Smith BSRJ5-MW 5-String. I string it with the Ken Smith Tapers. I was wondering if anyone else who owns Ken Smith with a low B string that is undefined. This sounds bad, but I don't remember if the B was as bad as it is now. Does anyone else have issues with their Ken Smith Bs? The E doesn't sound great eiher.

Any other general advice?

billbern · #2 09-24-2007, 05:57 AM

I've got a KSB BSR5M, string it with Ken Smith Taper Wound Stainless. I think the "B" sounds great. Balanced with the other strings, well defined, not boomy.
Has the setup on the bass and/or the rig you're playing through changed? How old are the strings?
Bill

hasbeen · #3 09-25-2007, 06:20 AM

sorry to ask the obvious but how old are the strings?

And here's an odd thing: My Ken Smith hates Ken Smith strings but my MTD loves them. Go figure.

The low B on my Smith is MUCH improved by using a non-tapered B. I use D'Addario XL's and it's tight and punchy.

DavePlaysBass · #4 09-25-2007, 07:30 AM

Check your setup. Make sure you are not choking the B with a too low of saddle. If in doubt on a B, check out a Labella Hard Rockin' Steel set with a 128 Taper B. The Sadowsky Bs also are at the top of the heap.

FrizzleFry · #5 09-26-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

Check your setup. Make sure you are not choking the B with a too low of saddle. If in doubt on a B, check out a Labella Hard Rockin' Steel set with a 128 Taper B. The Sadowsky Bs also are at the top of the heap.

Yea thats what happened to me with my B string, saddle was to low. I had the Normal B and it sounded bad, compared the the Tapered B set of Smiths I had

alangoldstein · #6 09-27-2007, 05:46 AM

never use tapered low b that kills it.

also, if u put the pickup too close to the string, or the string too low near the pickups, that will kill it too. ( false harmonics)

u want that low b to vibrate and shake the room.

there will be some basses out there that no matter what you do, they just have ****** b strings whatever string you put on .
ive had 2 of these duds. im not saying the brands tho here, u can PM me for that info =)

at that point? sell it.

i cant stand those dinky tapered ball end low b strings.

also go with 125 or fatter. no more 120 for me.

also make sure you intonate with a really super accurate tuner. alot of basses i come across, people have not intonated properly, or once they switch from taper end, to full wrap they didnt bother checkign the intonation. use a strobe tuner ( peterson )