Strings For Fender Jazz V

[AHDBassist]

I have got two sets of DR Hi Beams medium for my Jazz V and both times the low b broke. It appears the string is too long and doesn't taper soon enough anyone had this problem?

[hammer2748]

Up until this past Monday 3/28, I was using them on my Fender Jazz V without incident.

Not to hijack the thread, but if you're not happy with the DR's consider the Dunlops. I laid a set of Dunlop nickel-wound 45-125's. Worked 'em in for a couple days, have a show tomorrow night, we'll see what these things sound like in a couple weeks, but so far, I'm loving the tone. Seems to sit in the mix differently, but in a good way. Defnintely less zing than the DR's, of course being Nickel, I expected that and I'm good with it, but very, very punchy while maintaining solid clarity in the lows and low mids...definitely a fan at this point. We'll wait 'em out and see how they settle in.....stay tuned.

[bassist4dalord]

Is it through-bridge or top-load?

I got good tone from D'Addario nickels on my Jazz V.

[AHDBassist]

Top load. I love love LOVE DR Hi Beams. It's like they were too long didn't taper down soon enough....

[Febs]

Originally Posted by AHDBassist

I have got two sets of DR Hi Beams medium for my Jazz V and both times the low b broke. It appears the string is too long and doesn't taper soon enough anyone had this problem?

Where did the strings break? Were the breaks in the same spot on both strings?

[AHDBassist]

As you can see the core split as it started to wind around the peghead.

[worxforme]

I used the Dr's strung through when I had my FJ5.

FWIW I later switched to Dunlop Nickles and I only strung the B through and I actually liked them better with my J5. It took a bit to get used to the feel but after that...

[AHDBassist]

Originally Posted by Febs

Where did the strings break? Were the breaks in the same spot on both strings?

Yes. They broke in exactly the same spot as shown in the pic.

[rojo412]

I've used Ken Smith TCRM sets for the entire time I've had my J and never broke 1 string (knock on wood!).
$30/set at bassemporium.com.
Best. Strings. Ever.

If your strings break up there, it's because the functional string length is too long for the bass (the fat part shouldn't wind around the post). I see that a lot in medium scale basses (32") with long scale strings (34").
Get 34" scale strings and you'll be fine.

[AHDBassist]

Originally Posted by rojo412

I've used Ken Smith TCRM sets for the entire time I've had my J and never broke 1 string (knock on wood!).
$30/set at bassemporium.com.
Best. Strings. Ever.

If your strings break up there, it's because the functional string length is too long for the bass (the fat part shouldn't wind around the post). I see that a lot in medium scale basses (32") with long scale strings (34").
Get 34" scale strings and you'll be fine.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Oh well time for string set number 3 lol

[hammer2748]

would the problem go away going through the body rather than top-load shortening the "functional length"?

[Doug Parent]

You have a MIM Fender with 5 in line tuners which means the B string tuner is pushed closer to the nut compared to American Fenders with 4 + 1 tuners. I solved this same problem by installing a Hipshot A style bridge with a string through body option, and drilled a hole for the B string and installed a string ferrule on the bass of the body. Problem solved.

I exclusively use La Bella (Carvin brand) SS strings (less than $15) and the length of the string (before it tapers) is too long given the distance using a stock top load bridge. Other than finding string that have a shorter B string (before the taper) I know of no other solution.

The new Fender MIM basses are 4 + 1 tuners and that solves this issue.

Hope that helps.

[AHDBassist]

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

You have a MIM Fender with 5 in line tuners which means the B string tuner is pushed closer to the nut compared to American Fenders with 4 + 1 tuners. I solved this same problem by installing a Hipshot A style bridge with a string through body option, and drilled a hole for the B string and installed a string ferrule on the bass of the body. Problem solved.

I exclusively use La Bella (Carvin brand) SS strings (less than $15) and the length of the string (before it tapers) is too long given the distance using a stock top load bridge. Other than finding string that have a shorter B string (before the taper) I know of no other solution.

The new Fender MIM basses are 4 + 1 tuners and that solves this issue.

Hope that helps.

Hmmm that's what I suspected. Since this is a budget bass I'll try to find a shorter string first I reckon.

[CElton]

Are you bending or crimping the string at a 90 degree angle before you cut them to length? Hi-Beams are wound on a round core and if you don't follow the installation instructions on the package, they will unravel from the core.

[jasper383]

Can you string through the body on this bass?

DR strings are pretty long, and going through the bridge on a 34" scale bass can be trouble--the fat part of the string goes up on the peg, and can break. I have had it happen with flats, but not rounds. That's what looks like it happened.

Send DR an email, and describe what happened. They may want to see the strings.. You never know, they may send you some new strings.

If you can only go through the bridge, get some D'Addario or Ernie Ball strings. They are shorter and will taper before the post.

[Pilson_fan]

I have a Fender MIM V (top-load), and I had the same thing happen to me (string breaking at the post) with SIT Powerwounds. Í swithced to Fender´s 8250-5M set, with good results.

[AHDBassist]

Thanks for the quick responses. It appears the DRs were too long so I will try another brand. I wish they made a shorter set.