Strings and Lower tunings (Bb and B)

BtsBassPlayer · #1 08-11-2011, 10:46 PM

I Just bought new strings yesterday, and played a show last and i feel as if today they are already shot and done. why is this?

also when i play my fattest string in my low low tuning of B, it sounds unclear and very wobbly. can i do anything to tighten up the sound and get a consistent tone out of it like my other 3 strings give out when i play open notes on them?

knuckle_head · #2 08-12-2011, 08:34 AM

There are very few B strings in sets that are of adequate size to keep up with the tensions the rest of your set has which is why your B is so wobbly. As well, most B strings have 4 wraps of wire which choke the overtones out of a string.

If you like a .100 E string a .130 or .135 will have a similar tension. If you prefer a .105 E your B string ought to be in the .140 to .145 range.

I cannot speak to which manufacturers use fewer than 4 wraps on their B strings, but mine certainly are. If you are willing to thread through your bridge rather than through-body, I may be able to help you.

BtsBassPlayer · #3 08-12-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

There are very few B strings in sets that are of adequate size to keep up with the tensions the rest of your set has which is why your B is so wobbly. As well, most B strings have 4 wraps of wire which choke the overtones out of a string.

If you like a .100 E string a .130 or .135 will have a similar tension. If you prefer a .105 E your B string ought to be in the .140 to .145 range.

I cannot speak to which manufacturers use fewer than 4 wraps on their B strings, but mine certainly are. If you are willing to thread through your bridge rather than through-body, I may be able to help you.

i mainly use dunlop medium gauge .45-.105 and yes i do thread through the bridge and not through the body. i just love those mediums because of the twang they give off but its just that E string that gives me that "fart" noise.

knuckle_head · #4 08-12-2011, 02:34 PM

A .110 would be slightly looser than the .085 you have at A - your .105 is ALOT looser. That may be your culprit.

A .105 would sit better next to a .080

Edit; Wait . . . you're using a .105 for Bb? Everything I've said above will get you to E and Eb - you are looking at a .136 to .142 if you are trying to hit B if you have aggressive technique.

BtsBassPlayer · #5 08-12-2011, 03:56 PM

Beyond The Shore - Jaws (LYRICS) - YouTube

i have to play that (^^^^) live along with other songs that are either in Bb or B

You could call my technique very aggressive. I play hard and full. Im 290 lbs and 6,5 so my regular touch is bound to be a little harder then most.

JeffBTZ · #6 08-12-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtsBassPlayer

Beyond The Shore - Jaws (LYRICS) - YouTube

i have to play that (^^^^) live along with other songs that are either in Bb or B

You could call my technique very aggressive. I play hard and full. Im 290 lbs and 6,5 so my regular touch is bound to be a little harder then most.

I'm not sure your size and weight dictate how strong your bass playing muscles are. It depends more on how and what you use those muscles for. I'm a pretty small guy and I love high tension strings. Johnny Hiland is a pretty big guy, and he's probably got one of the smoothest, lightest touches out there. It's all about the control.

Anyway, playing in drop B or Bb standard or whatever, a regular E string isn't going to EVER sound good (to my ears... maybe someone digs that flabby mess, but I'm not a fan.)

If you're playing in that low of tuning a lot, you should either invest in a 5 string bass, or get a 5 string set and put the B, E, A, and D strings on. I've never heard of any 4 string set made to go that low.

FunkMetalBass · #7 08-12-2011, 05:04 PM

If you don't have a 5-string, I strongly suggest you tune your bass BEAD. If you play heavier like I do, get a set of Circle K Balanced 150's (4-string set). You won't be sorry.

ixlramp · #8 08-12-2011, 06:13 PM

So what tunings do you use and switch between?

BtsBassPlayer · #9 08-18-2011, 07:32 PM

B-G♭-B-E and then a half step down sometimes..

DUNLOP Bass Strings 6 packs New in Box .45-1.05 Nickel | eBay i just won this

Solarmist · #10 08-18-2011, 08:47 PM

^ You got a deal alright, but use them for standard tuning.

ixlramp · #11 08-18-2011, 09:19 PM

See other thread

Achtane · #12 08-18-2011, 09:22 PM

Just get Circle K and save yourself the trouble.

BtsBassPlayer · #13 08-18-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achtane

Just get Circle K and save yourself the trouble.

im not sure what that is! ha

knuckle_head · #14 08-18-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtsBassPlayer

im not sure what that is! ha

Circle K is my string company, and I make sets specifically balanced for drop tunings. You should be looking for gauges similar to;

.142 .094 .070 .053 if you like a .105 E

.136 .090 .067 .049 if you like a .100 E

.130 .086 .065 .047 if you like a .095 E

If you're willing to bridge mount rather than thread through your body my strings will work for you.

Josh Pelican · #15 08-18-2011, 11:24 PM

I have a bass in Drop B and set of Circle K's .130-.047 strings. I love the feel. I can play soft or aggressive and it sounds wonderful. If you're tuning down from that for some songs, I'd probably go for the .136 or .142 set.

Just my two cents!