best strings for 5-string bass?

Bogo66 · #1 05-08-2009, 03:27 PM

Who knows what strings are best for a new five string bass?...and where can I buy them?.... I like Bel Canto for my regular bass & my cello, but I don't think they make a 5th string for my other bass...thanks!

ClaytonH · #2 05-08-2009, 03:58 PM

I can never find that low B string. Sometimes I question myself "do they even make the low B?" because I've seen the high C before in the D'Addario Heliacor pack.

salcott · #3 05-08-2009, 10:46 PM

I looked one one dealer's site, and it looks like pretty much all the major manufacturers make a B string.

fergus currie · #4 05-09-2009, 07:06 AM

Tomastik Belcanto has a low B string.

Here's a link to a store that carries them. At 300 bucks for the full set they'd better be good!

http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_belcantobass.shtml

DFW5String · #5 05-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Belcantos were great on my 5-string.
The B is awesome, and also works well as a C in 5ths tuning.

sjd007 · #6 09-07-2009, 07:27 PM

Is there anyone else out there with experince of 5-string playing with a clear preference for one set over another? I am looking for a new set for my 4/4 5-string and play mostly orchestral, but having being brought up playing Jazz I may need to pizz at some stage in the future! I would guess at 80% arco, 20% pizz for me. My bass is big and projects well down low. I have an adjustable bridge, if that helps. My current strings (no-name chinese I would guess) have reasonable feel, but the low B is noticably flappier (lower tension) than the others.

Please feel free to throw ideas into the mix, I am aware that my options may be limited having a 44" scale 5-string bass (but one does quite like being different doesn't one).

Marcus Johnson · #7 09-07-2009, 07:43 PM

I had a Spirocore B on my EUB... it was earth shaking. Very quick arco response, as I recall. And it will last forever. Once it settles down, it might match anything you put on the rest of the bass.

sjd007 · #8 09-07-2009, 08:29 PM

Good to know!

From what I can find, it looks like Thomastic spiro's are available for 4/4 (wheras the dominants are only 3/4?)

Both sets have a low B/C option. I'd be interested to know if the dominant is long enough fr a 44" bass. People seem to be raving about them.

Other options would be:

Pirastro Obligato (cheaper!) or the permanent, or even flexoxore.

Super sensitive make the pinnacle for a good price.

Velvet (good reviews) have the anima and compass 180 that both would suit 4/4 bass with the low C option. Bit pricey though.

sjd007 · #9 09-07-2009, 09:02 PM

Oh, and just to be more fussy, I have tried both the low B and C tunings, and prefer the C as it is more natural between the strings. This probably means I need a fatter low C to keep the tension up?

A challenge... I need to get back to those tension charts (although not many listed for the 4/4 scale).

Paul Warburton · #10 09-07-2009, 09:49 PM

My Thomastik Orchestra low B string kills. (but so does my bass).

sjd007 · #11 09-07-2009, 10:41 PM

Awesome! Do you need much clearance for the low B? (off the fingerboard...)

I know what you are saying, I can feel the envy of the rest of the section when the notes dip below the low E...

Paul Warburton · #12 09-08-2009, 07:53 AM

Drop this guy a note on any clearance issues.
He's a good cat with much experience with five string DB's and will give you specific measurements

http://www.rossdoublebass.com/

sjd007 · #13 09-09-2009, 04:45 PM

For a 5-stringer do you go for a light set to reduce the added tension of having 5 strings pulling on the bridge / tailpeice, or do you go for higher tension to stop the big fat low B/C from flapping too much, or do you aim in between?

I think I am reading too much and confusing my small brain. Still, at least I have potential (unlike percussionists...

)

sjd007 · #14 09-12-2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Drop this guy a note on any clearance issues.
He's a good cat with much experience with five string DB's and will give you specific measurements

http://www.rossdoublebass.com/

Thanks!

And, oooh! Nice bass! Mine is now cowering in the corner making snide remarks about why I am looking at photos of your bass with "that look" in my eye!

Paul Warburton · #15 09-12-2009, 05:14 AM

Thanks, but my bass doesn't appear on the site. I did have a small hand in design of the kinda Montagnana pattern bass that my name is on.

Pics of my bass are here.

http://www.thetalkbasses.com/

Third down on the left. Putcher arrow on my name and click on Joseph Bohmann.
That oughtta really piss yer bass off.

Paul Warburton · #16 09-12-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjd007

For a 5-stringer do you go for a light set to reduce the added tension of having 5 strings pulling on the bridge / tailpeice, or do you go for higher tension to stop the big fat low B/C from flapping too much, or do you aim in between?

I think I am reading too much and confusing my small brain. Still, at least I have potential (unlike percussionists...

)

Depends on the sound and feel you're looking for. The Thomastiks sound and feel great on my bass. I'm thinking Starks on this one now for even more tension because I want a more projecting acoustic sound. I'm a jazzer and don't do alot of arco. But if you do, as our Fergus will warn you, you'd best be advised that the clearance between the middle strings are on the mark or you be bowing double stops all over da place.

sjd007 · #17 09-12-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Thanks, but my bass doesn't appear on the site. I did have a small hand in design of the kinda Montagnana pattern bass that my name is on.

Pics of my bass are here.

http://www.thetalkbasses.com/

Third down on the left. Putcher arrow on my name and click on Joseph Bohmann.
That oughtta really piss yer bass off.

Yes, that is where I was looking! Have downloaded the four tunes you have on the sister site as well, great stuff (esp that crazy string hopping thing you do about 2/3 way through paulo...). Great growling low B too, even with pizz. Mine only comes to life arco with current B string.

Thanks for all the advice on strings. I have made a wee table to try and compare different brands with what is available for my bass (112.5cm string length) which actually helps narrow it down. I just need to sit and mull for a while, then get out the credit card!

Paul Warburton · #18 09-12-2009, 07:03 AM

Thanks for listening to that stuff. The thing you're talking about is just a trick....not much music though. Dick wrote the tune for me and that makes it special. The bass playing the head on the out of "My One and Only Love" is something I can live with.

It sounds like your bass was origianally made as a fiver so everthing should be cool. Some of the ones I've played have been adapted to fivers and have some issues in terms of the added string pressure on the top plate. If a top plate is a bit too thin it can do some strange things to the sound when the low B is added.
Good luck, man.