Light / flexible nickle 5 string set

Nickthebass · #1 11-13-2011, 12:44 PM

I have a new 5 string due in a couple of months and need to pick some strings for it. They'll be going onto an alder body / rosewood board J type running into a GB Streamliner.

They need to be:

1) Lightish gauge (nothing more than .40 G string for example)
2) Flexible (probably round core I guess)
3) Nickle
4) Available in the UK

I've got a couple of ideas on the short list but I have two questions:

1) TI Jazz rounds ... anyone any experience with that .118 B string? Does it work or does it just sound flaccid (be honest!!!)

2) Are there any alternatives aside from TI Jazz rounds and DR Sunbeams?

mmbongo · #2 11-13-2011, 12:58 PM

I was going to suggest DR Sunbeams. Not much use in looking elsewhere

Nickthebass · #3 11-13-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I was going to suggest DR Sunbeams. Not much use in looking elsewhere

The only problem I have is that I'm struggling to find anyone in the UK who will sell me a .120 low B

mdogs · #4 11-13-2011, 03:17 PM

Circle K is still your best bet, just order them.

dirtbird · #5 11-13-2011, 03:29 PM

I've thought the DR Lo-Rider Nickels were very nice that I tried recently.

Looks like these guys have them in stock in the UK in a 40-120 gauge:
DR Lo-Rider Steel 5-String Bass 40-120 Lite LH5-40

mmbongo · #6 11-13-2011, 03:34 PM

The only problem with LoRiders is that they are higher tension by design, and the OP is looking for lower tension, which is what Sunbeams are designed for.

You can order them from the USA, I don't know how much shipping is though.

If you go here, he has the .120 singles. You can even build your own custom set using whatever gauges you want!
Buy DR Sunbeam Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

Nickthebass · #7 11-13-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

The only problem with LoRiders is that they are higher tension by design, and the OP is looking for lower tension, which is what Sunbeams are designed for.

You can order them from the USA, I don't know how much shipping is though.

If you go here, he has the .120 singles. You can even build your own custom set using whatever gauges you want!
Buy DR Sunbeam Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

This is an option ... actually the cost of having a set shipped to the UK bassstringsonline is the same as the LoRiders from the UK site.

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 11-13-2011, 05:27 PM

I noticed someone recently built a custom set in their cart with .040 .060 .080 .100 .120 sunbeams...

It will be much less in cost if you buy a 4 string set .040 .060 .080 .100 = NLR-40 Sunbeams

and add a single .120 Low B.

If I saw this order come through with all singles, I would have adjusted the price and refunded the difference...

Joebone · #9 11-13-2011, 05:31 PM

Yes on the DR Sunbeams...more flex than any other nickel round that I knos, fat nickel sound, smaller gauge available.

ixlramp · #10 11-14-2011, 12:57 PM

D'Addario do a XL nickelplated roundwound 120, i find them flexible. XLB120.

fretlessguy · #11 11-16-2011, 08:35 AM

S I T Strings Electric Bass Taper Wound Nickel Long 5 String Light, .045 - .125, TNR545125L

They work for me. My qualifications are the same as yours.

stflbn · #12 11-16-2011, 08:39 AM

I keep coming back to XL's. Buy 4-string sets and add a single Tapered B-string.

dave64o · #13 11-16-2011, 11:39 AM

I usually prefer higher tension strings but I really the Sunbeams that are on my Warwick.

I've seen a lot of good reports about S.I.T. strings and they look interesting for the price. I have an SX I'm currently Frankenstein-ing and I may put a set of S.I.T. Power Wounds on it just to experiment. But if not, I'll most likely go with another set of Sunbeams.