Searching for THICK B Strings

XtheDeadPawn · #1 12-04-2009, 11:34 AM

Honestly I've been scouring the net looking for B strings thicker than .135 and can't find anything can someone please tell me where to get some or some brands or something?

Preferably nickle plated roundwound 5 string set with a .105 E string and an (atleast) .50 G string?

bassist4dalord · #2 12-04-2009, 11:37 AM

http://circlekstrings.com/store/index.html

3 Minute old thread!

XtheDeadPawn · #3 12-04-2009, 01:00 PM

Woah calm down look I saw that thread but, I'm not really looking for a balanced tension set plus, I need a regular store bougt prepacked tension EADG set but, was looking for a place that sold like a .150, .140, .145 B string.

lug · #4 12-04-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Woah calm down look I saw that thread but, I'm not really looking for a balanced tension set plus, I need a regular store bougt prepacked tension EADG set but, was looking for a place that sold like a .150, .140, .145 B string.

Circle K has traditional tension set as well with very large B strings as well as the balanced sets. Examples of traditional string sets:
.124 .096 .072 .055 .040
.150 .118 .088 .068 .052
.160 .124 .092 .068 .052

I don't think they sell individuals but you could always ask Skip, he's a member here and also the luthier of the Knuckleworks extended range basses (plus a really great guy!) I don't know of anyone that sells oversized B strings by themselves but maybe someone else will pipe in here........bump!

XtheDeadPawn · #5 12-04-2009, 04:31 PM

Thanks

bassist4dalord · #6 12-04-2009, 04:34 PM

Yeah, it's VERY unlikely to find a string thicker than .135 at any guitar store.

Meatrus · #7 12-04-2009, 05:06 PM

Not Nickel, but Rotosound dropzone have heavy Bs, and Dropzone plus even higher (175!), they are pretty easy to get hold of too.

XtheDeadPawn · #8 12-04-2009, 06:04 PM

Wait I heard of those do they eat up your frets/fretboard though?
That's my main concern that and Nickel is known for being pretty mellow sounding but, if the Dropzones can sound mellow I'll give 'em a shot.

Meatrus · #9 12-05-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Wait I heard of those do they eat up your frets/fretboard though?
That's my main concern that and Nickel is known for being pretty mellow sounding but, if the Dropzones can sound mellow I'll give 'em a shot.

Rotosounds arent mellow out the pack (the opposite in fact), but can be after playing them for a while, as long as you set your amp accordingly (reduce highs if necessary).

Dont be bothered about your frets if its a fretted bass, modern frets are tough.

XtheDeadPawn · #10 12-05-2009, 05:51 PM

Cool thanks guys anybody ever tune the B string down to an E before?

I'm new to the 5 string world so I'm wondering if it's possible?

XtheDeadPawn · #11 12-05-2009, 05:54 PM

Too better restate my question how low can a B string go on a 34 inch scale 5 string bass without it sounding like your kicking a tin can around?

ggunn · #12 12-05-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Cool thanks guys anybody ever tune the B string down to an E before?

I'm new to the 5 string world so I'm wondering if it's possible?

In general, the thicker the string the less you can tune it down from its designed pitch before it starts to flop around like a fish out of water.

Meatrus · #13 12-06-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggunn

In general, the thicker the string the less you can tune it down from its designed pitch before it starts to flop around like a fish out of water.

No, its the opposite to that, thats why your B string is bigger than the rest, and not the other way round. And why people who droptune always have bigger strings.

A standard B string on a 34" bass shouldnt sound tinny at all, if your going to tune down to E your going to need the Dropzone plus or similar (maybe even higher). However I cant think what you would play on a bass tuned like that, as far as I know nobody uses that tuning, (it wouldnt be the same as the normal E) and the lowest I have seen is F#.

So I would probably forget it, as the sound will be so low you will struggle to hear it, and you may need a MASSIVE string, then a massive set to go with it, which wont be good for the neck at all.

thirtypoint87 · #14 12-06-2009, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

Cool thanks guys anybody ever tune the B string down to an E before?

I'm new to the 5 string world so I'm wondering if it's possible?

Probably not well. You'd need a much longer scale neck for the note to manifest well at the instrument (think of how long the strings are on the bass end of a piano... and that E you're talking about is several keys to the left of said piano) and some heavy duty amplification.

Once that was all done you'd play a note that is 20.6 hz, literally the bottom of what our ears can detect.

(in the end, physics wins!)

ggunn · #15 12-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

No, its the opposite to that, thats why your B string is bigger than the rest, and not the other way round. And why people who droptune always have bigger strings.

I guess I wasn't clear in what I said. You can detune the high E on a guitar pretty far and still have it produce a tone. If you tune down the low B on a 5 string bass, it goes all floppy pretty quickly.

Meatrus · #16 12-06-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggunn

I guess I wasn't clear in what I said. You can detune the high E on a guitar pretty far and still have it produce a tone. If you tune down the low B on a 5 string bass, it goes all floppy pretty quickly.

Not meaning to sound argumentative. But Bs do that because they are tuned lower, not because they are large. It also doesent help that most Bs are a bit light, if you increase gauge the flop will go.

XtheDeadPawn · #17 12-07-2009, 12:12 PM

So in order for me to go low I need the thicker B string like I thought but, if I do I'll need to increse the scale? You've got to be kidding right? That means I'll need a custom made bass No WAY!!!! I'm wondering can I tune it down to say A?

dystopiate · #18 12-07-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtheDeadPawn

So in order for me to go low I need the thicker B string like I thought but, if I do I'll need to increse the scale? You've got to be kidding right? That means I'll need a custom made bass No WAY!!!! I'm wondering can I tune it down to say A?

Probably worth being a little more specific. Are you looking to tune waaaaaay down, or just a step down? Why do you need these strings to be available in a store instead of online?

LaklandBass · #19 12-07-2009, 12:34 PM

I have two of my basses with the B string tuned down to G and thats a .125 DR string. As long as you finese the string you can get decent tone from it. However Ill probably go with a .135 next time.

ggunn · #20 12-07-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

Not meaning to sound argumentative. But Bs do that because they are tuned lower, not because they are large. It also doesent help that most Bs are a bit light, if you increase gauge the flop will go.

Tuned lower and larger gauge go hand in hand. The thinner a string is, the more stretchy it is, so it has a wider window of pitch. You can tune down the high E of a guitar an octave and it will still support its own weight and oscillate. Try it with a low B on a bass no matter how thick it is and it will lie flat on the fretboard before you get down a third, I'll betcha.