What to use on a Warwick 5-string?

Shroom · #1 09-20-2010, 08:12 AM

I 'm sure many of you know that for some reason the bridge saddle for the low B on most Warwick 5-strings is unusually narrow. I've been stuck with buying only Warwick strings and I'm sick of it.

Does anyone know any other brands of strings with a low B that will fit into a Warwick bridge? I don't know if a tapered B is what I'm looking for, so please enlighten me if that's that case.

If it helps narrow it down, I'm basically an all-around player, minus jazz, so I need a flexible tone to go with that. Up till now I've been using Warwick's steel strings (black label I think?), but they're just not doing it for me anymore.

OHSPyro89 · #2 09-20-2010, 08:16 AM

I'd just use a round file, but that's just me.

FunkMetalBass · #3 09-20-2010, 08:33 AM

A tapered B might work, but it depends on how much room you have from the talipiece to the bridge piece.

Round files will work as well. Just don't overdo it.

Shroom · #4 09-20-2010, 08:40 AM

With a round file, do you just file down the area that fits in the saddle? Is there any special technique to it?

I'm not sure if that'll work though. I think it'd take some serious filing.

deevit · #5 09-20-2010, 08:48 AM

A taperwound B string works fine. I always used Elixir strings when I still played Warwick.

mmbongo · #6 09-20-2010, 08:51 AM

Yeah you need either a tapered B or a small file. I like SIT's tapered B myself.

jpTron · #7 09-20-2010, 08:53 AM

I've used Black Labels, Web strings brand, Ernie Ball (yuck), D'addarios and now Rotosound 66. Rotosounds win.

chrisborgia · #8 09-20-2010, 12:49 PM

i always liked the smith strings with a tapered core for my warwick 5.

Z-Bass · #9 09-20-2010, 12:56 PM

I've been using a DR High Beam 5-string set that has a taper wound B for years on my Warwick. I love 'em. Lucky for me, a local store carries these in stock but there are enough online stores that carry a variety of brands.

Marton · #10 09-20-2010, 12:58 PM

Dean Markley SR2000 are tapered and pretty verstaile, in my experience.

QU!CK · #11 09-20-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marton

Dean Markley SR2000 are tapered and pretty verstaile, in my experience.

+1
I've had them on my Corvette Standard 5 in the past with no issues. I don't recall how I liked the tone though.

-J

Philonius · #12 09-20-2010, 01:40 PM

At first I was hesitant to take a file to my bridge tailpiece, and found that Smith Taper Core strings work well. But I decided that I wanted flats, and said screw it. 3/16" round file, clamp the piece in a vise, slow and easy does it; no big deal. Start out light so the file doesn't grab as you start the cut, use long even straight strokes, cut all the way down to the bottom of the existing string groove, make sure there aren't any rough/sharp edges left hanging out when you're done. Probably only need to file the B and maybe the E strings. Black magic marker does a good job of coloring the slot of you've got black hardware, otherwise it probably won't look very different at all when you're done.

Shroom · #13 09-20-2010, 10:10 PM

Oh you mean file the bridge piece? I don't think I could bring myself to do that to my baby. It does have black hardware, and even with magic marker I think I'd grimace every time I looked at it.

A lot of my favorite bassists use GHS Bass Boomers. Does anyone know if they have any tapered options, or if there are any strings with a similar sound to em?

**lowendfriend** · #14 10-02-2010, 02:46 PM

I use Daddario XL Chromes on my $$ 5 and secretly, I never bothered to file for a .130.

Be prepared to do a pretty radical setup adjustment on the two piece bridge and you'll pretty much have to crank the saddle all the way toward the bottom to intonate the B.

One Bad Monkey · #15 10-02-2010, 03:15 PM

Circle Ks have been my choice for all three of my Warwicks for the past year. They work just great, and the tapered B (and E) fit in the WW bridge fine.

If you're not sure you want to do the file thing, you can take a pair of pliers and crimp the wrapped part of a non-tapered B string down to fit. I did that for about a decade before finding the strings I use now.

bassman134 · #16 10-04-2010, 06:15 PM

I just put on a set or DR High beams for the first time, gigged with them Saturday and they were perfect! Nice clear sound, and a great feel. The bridge on my bass had been filed a bit by the previous owner, but the B still didn't fit. I put the string by the ball end in a vice and gave it a little squeeze. Fit much better. I did this previously with EB slinky's , which I will never buy again after playing these. Thanks the GC guy who recommended them.

Vintage Guy · #17 10-05-2010, 07:50 PM

I just put a set of GHS Bass Boomer Roundwound 45-126 medium lights on my 2001 Corvette Standard. I had a little problem with the "B" string,but I eventually got it to seat in the saddle,with out the use of a file. They have a great bottom,and bright sound. I have been using them for several years and have them on my G&L 2500. Hope this helps you out!

brotherbassj · #18 10-05-2010, 07:56 PM

my vote is DR longnecks...........tapered.....nice tone

Invisible_Sun · #19 10-05-2010, 08:07 PM

Right now, 95-120 D'addario XLs. Still looking though.

Luis Fabara · #20 10-06-2010, 06:50 AM

Warwick Black Labels were the best for my Streamer.
La Bella Hard Rocking Steel works great too.