Lightest gauge Low B nickel string

[Sundogue]

I recently converted my 5 string to a 6 string and I went with lighter gauge strings for the EADGC (100-80-60-40-30) but my Low B is a 130. Not a big deal, but it's a big string.

I'd like to try a lighter gauge B string. Anyone know who makes the lightest gauge Low B nickel string? I'm thinking a 120 or even a 115 to try out.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

.120 and .115 are fairly common.

There are a few different makers...

D'Addario XL Nickels: .120
DR Sunbeams: .120
DR Nickel Lo-Rider: .120
Dunlop Nickel Plated: .120 - They also make a .115
Fodera Nickel: .120
Ken Smith Burners: .120 and a .120T Tapered string

GHS Boomers are available in .115 .116 .120 .121

Dean markley has a SolidBass .120

Thats it off the top of my head...

[Derek Kiernan]

For the Circle K sets (balanced tension), their .130 B matches their .098 E. Your 130 probably isn't so far off what you need to match with that E, which is already likely less tension than all the other strings in your set. I'm not sure I would search out a lower gauge B.

[Sundogue]

I would definitely look at the actual string tension of any string I might try. Tension isn't always related to the gauge.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[ixlramp]

Circle K Strings have .112 and .118 sets: Circle K Strings - Standard Balanced 6 Strings
These are 'balanced': equal tension strings. So a .118 B is the same scientific tension as a .090 E.
Tension chart here: http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf
I wouldn't go lighter than a .112 B at 27 pounds, below that tension i find big strings start to lose their excellent tone and become excessively floppy.
They also do sets with a.051 as the lowest string ... light enough?
CK strings are nickelplated steel outer wrap around steel inner wraps, top loading bridges only due to short tapered section.

[mmbongo]

I personally wouldn't use lower than a .125 because I can't stand a floppy B string, but of course that's my personal preference.

Best bet it to order a few singles and see what you like. Bass Strings Online is the way to go:
Buy Single Electric Bass Guitar Strings and put together your own custom set from Bass Strings Online.

[String Theory]

Stay with the .130. I have never liked .125s for a B-string.

[klokker]

I have Thomastik Infeld Powerbass strings on my L-2500. They have a .119 B string. Nickel too.

I much prefer a lighter guage B string. But I like a good roundwound "ring" and lots of harmonics.....the lighter guage B strings are the way to go for me.

[Shegmaface]

I use DR drop down tuning strings with a 115 E string used as a B string. I buy a separate 40 hi beam G string to complete a 5 string set.

[rydin4lifebass]

I just put a set of Power Slinky's on my bass with a .135 B string. Does anyone know the tension for that string versus the tension with others discussed in this thread. I'm curious to see the tension comparisons for a .135 compared to a similar .125 or .120.

[ixlramp]

See the tension chart for XL nickelplated roundwounds here: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf You can use the D'Addario charts to approximate other brands.

[joe vegas]

Smith makes a fine .120 (regular and tapered).
D'adarrio has an excellent .125.

I use them both, spread out between four 6-strings.
they sound full, punchy and articulate, and keep their brightness for a good while.