Low B going from .128 to .130 - is there much of a difference?

[Marley's Ghost]

Looking for opinions. Does .002 really mean that much? Does it affect intonation or nut spacing?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

anytime you change strings from one size to another or different brands you should re-check / set the intonation.

[KJung]

Hard to say, since string tension and tone depend on more than just the string diameter. Within the same brand/model of string, you will notice a slightly higher tension between those two guages... nothing that will change your life.

Per the above, you will need to reset intonation and saddle height.

[Marley's Ghost]

Reason for asking is that I am looking for alternatives to the Carvin/LaBella 40/60/80/100/128 Nickel string, but I cant find any other brand that sells this size in a nickel/hex type. I found a DR Low rider nickel 4 set 40/100 and a single 130 on juststrings, but I am really trying to avoid messing with the setup if possible.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Changing brands / types of strings it is an unavoidable process...

Although, you wont NEED to do a big adjustment on the neck or any at all in most cases... Intonation / Action setup is a breeze however, should take 5 minutes... less if you don't count plugging in a tuner... (which can be the hardest when you cant find it!)

[Grateful]

The same gauge from a different manufacturer may have totally different tension and you'll potentially be in the same boat.

Here's what you can do: If you know which LaBellas the Carvins are, you can go to the LaBella tension chart here: Welcome to La Bella Strings!

Find your gauge and corresponding tension. Then try to find a tension chart for other manufacturers and get something similar.

Personally, I use (and highly recommmend Circle-K strings. I have the balanced sets on my 5 string Carvins and they sound and feel amazing. Their tension chart is here: Circle K Strings - Gauges and Tension

What I love about the balanced set is that each string feels the same and the sound is even. No screechy G strings or muddy B's. Don't let the funky gauges throw you off! It works!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Reason for asking is that I am looking for alternatives to the Carvin/LaBella 40/60/80/100/128 Nickel string, but I cant find any other brand that sells this size in a nickel/hex type. I found a DR Low rider nickel 4 set 40/100 and a single 130 on juststrings, but I am really trying to avoid messing with the setup if possible.

Per the above, you will need a set-up no matter what. That is typically a very minor deal. Much more to intonation than pure tension or string size.

You might try the Dunlop Nickel light set... great strings, and a very good price. Not sure how close to your guage, but probably pretty close.

[onewebfoot]

Originally Posted by Grateful

Personally, I use (and highly recommmend) Circle-K strings. I have the balanced sets on my 5 string Carvins and they sound and feel amazing. Their tension chart is here: Circle K Strings - Gauges and Tension

What I love about the balanced set is that each string feels the same and the sound is even. No screechy G strings or muddy B's. Don't let the funky gauges throw you off! It works!

My first set of Circle Ks arrived yesterday. I wanted a larger B string than I have ever used (previously my largest B String had been .125 or .128). With this *balanced* 5-string set (CKS-136S5BH) I went to: .041 - .057 - .076 - .102 - .136.

I will install them later today on my Fretless Zon. I think it is my fretless experience that might benefit most immediately with the balanced approach. [Yeah, screeching G string indeed.]

But I'm curious if they will accommodate DOWN tuning (not drop tuning) half a step, to Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb.

I appreciate the fact that the B string (which looks HUGE in diameter compared to the G string) doesn't achieve its full diameter wrap until after the bridge.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by onewebfoot

I appreciate the fact that the B string (which looks HUGE in diameter compared to the G string) doesn't achieve its full diameter wrap until after the bridge.

If you like this - look for strings that are "Taper-Wound" or also called "Taper-Core"

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Reason for asking is that I am looking for alternatives to the Carvin/LaBella 40/60/80/100/128 Nickel string, but I cant find any other brand that sells this size in a nickel/hex type. I found a DR Low rider nickel 4 set 40/100 and a single 130 on juststrings, but I am really trying to avoid messing with the setup if possible.

Trying to avoid doing a setup is futile, as you need to do it a couple of times a year anyway.

And you should be getting your strings from Bass Strings Online!
Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop...

I recently replaced my Circle K balanced set with DR Sunbeams, 40-100 with a .130 B with great results. DR's are balanced sounding strings anyway, and the feel of the round core Sunbeams is just heavenly. This is what I use on my 35" Spector, if you have 34" you might want a higher gauge of Sunbeams because of their low tension.

[onewebfoot]

This DR Sunbeams report is a backwards coincidence for me, as I just replaced my slightly lighter gauge DR Sunbeams to the .045 - .130 5-string Sunbeams set on my fretted Barker -- my only other bass (at present). On my Barker fretted, the Sunbeams have been great.

[MAJOR EDIT] I just wish the Sunbeams went to a .135 B-string option, which they don't (that I can find). So looking for a higher gauge of Sunbeams (than .130 on the B) is a GREASED GOOSECHASE.

With that, I'm likely going to Circle Ks on my Barker also. $35 lesson learned. I LOVE Circle Ks in this application (combination of down tuning half a step and moving to slightly higher gauge). Wish I could love the Sunbeams more in my specific context, which is weird and unusual - I admit that, BUT I CAN'T. And it's increasingly hard for me to respect any string maker that can't go above .130 with the B string.

And having installed the .135 (B) 5-string set on my Zon, i'm sold on Circle Ks, against Sunbeams both on my Zon (fretless) and on my Barker. It's kind of an identity crisis for me, but so be it. Go for the Circle Ks!

[Marley's Ghost]

Originally Posted by Grateful

The same gauge from a different manufacturer may have totally different tension and you'll potentially be in the same boat.

Here's what you can do: If you know which LaBellas the Carvins are, you can go to the LaBella tension chart here: Welcome to La Bella Strings!

Find your gauge and corresponding tension. Then try to find a tension chart for other manufacturers and get something similar.

Personally, I use (and highly recommmend Circle-K strings. I have the balanced sets on my 5 string Carvins and they sound and feel amazing. Their tension chart is here: Circle K Strings - Gauges and Tension

What I love about the balanced set is that each string feels the same and the sound is even. No screechy G strings or muddy B's. Don't let the funky gauges throw you off! It works!

What size did you put on the Carvin 5ers?

[Marley's Ghost]

Ordered the Low Rider Nickles 40-60-80-100-130 from Slapinfunk. Will report back when I put them on my XB75.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

What size did you put on the Carvin 5ers?

I put the .136 Balanced set. The are about equivalent to a medium.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Ordered the Low Rider Nickles 40-60-80-100-130 from Slapinfunk. Will report back when I put them on my XB75.

Lo-Rider nickels are great strings, and Slapinfunk is a great guy.

[Marley's Ghost]

I received the Lo Rider Nickels super fast from Slap, and installed them on Wed. I am still tweaking the setup, but the main problem I seem to have is the B seems lower in volume, and the low c is hard to fret. The intonation on the first 4 frets on the B is way off. I still working on getting the relief to Carvin spec (.015). It is about .018 now.

On the positive side, they seem much more lively than the Carvin/Labellas. Once they break in, they are going to be great. I am just trying to decide whether to widen the nut slot for the B.

[Marley's Ghost]

So I will answer my own question: In this case, the .130 it failed. Perhaps it was not the gauge but the lack of taper, but the DR string just was horrible. I tool it off and replaced it with the Carvin .128 and will see how the DR and Carvin strings mix.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

So I will answer my own question: In this case, the .130 it failed. Perhaps it was not the gauge but the lack of taper, but the DR string just was horrible. I tool it off and replaced it with the Carvin .128 and will see how the DR and Carvin strings mix.

That's a shame.

You may be a tapercore type of guy. If so check out these options:

Taper Core Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Could you have twisted the B string during the install?

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Could you have twisted the B string during the install?

Also, did you adjust the B string saddle? If it was tapered before I would think it would need to be adjusted for the nontapered.