Low B for a 5 string bass...

Amin · #1 03-16-2010, 10:26 AM

Hello everybody.

I'm new in the world of 5 string bass...
I just got one saturday.. (I really fell in love with it..)

It was strung with horrible strings, so I replaced the first 4 strings (G D A E).

But I have no Low B to put on...and I would like to get some advice about that...

Any experiences, comments, ideas, suggestions are more than welcome..
I was thinking about a Spirocore Low B, as it has got clarity and power, but did'n know if different tensions are available...I would need the weich tension..it seems to be quite perfect for this bass..(A and E are spiro weich..)

Many thanks in advance!
all the best

Anyway, my bass is dark, and it is 105.5 cm long.

Ed Fuqua · #2 03-16-2010, 10:59 AM

Ask Paul Warburton.

billyfalconer · #3 03-16-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amin

Hello everybody.
But I have no Low B to put on...and I would like to get some advice about that...

I've got a full set of Spirocore mediums, including the B, on my five-string, and am happy with them (it's my nightclub bass, & not for orchestral work).

sjd007 · #4 03-22-2010, 07:36 PM

I also replaced the strings on my 5iver recently (few months ago). I put on Belcanto's as I am mostly playing arco. The low B string is the biggest fattest thing I have seen in my life. Boy does it vibrate!

There aren't that many sets that include the low B. Spiros include one, for that brighter pizz sound.

I'd highly recommend the belcanto's for bowing, but they may be a little flat for pizz, at least on my bass, and that seems to be the opinion of TBer's here too. They are warm, definitely not a "zingy" string at all, like the cheap #$@* ones I took off.

What strings do you have on there now?? If you have spiros, just go the spiro... esp if your bass is a litttle dark.

Paul Warburton · #5 03-22-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Ask Paul Warburton.

You called?

Looks like you are primarily a classical player, no?
Like 007 says, it depends wholly on what you have on the bass now or what you are planning for the other four.
I'm a Jazz pizz player and the Thomastik Mittels on all five fit my purposes perfectly and have for the last 30 some years on my bass. Under the bow it's a whole other ball game. That Spiro B may stand out too much if you use duller, darker strings on the others. The attack is much more stark and that string will be harder to get moving under the bow.
As always, it depends on the bass and how you play it.
For you, it's sounds like you need a good blend more than anything.
Good luck and have fun.

ElMon · #6 03-22-2010, 08:33 PM

I have a BSX Allegro 5 string coming to me, and if I don't end up liking the D'Addario Hybrids that are coming on it, I might slap on a set of Velvet Garbo's and buy a specially made low B from Velvet. I"m curious if anyone has used Velvet strings, or other gut-emulating synthetic strings like Pirastro Obligatos in a 5 string set?

I LOVE using these gut-like strings on my Acoustic bass, but am concerned that a stiff steel string might just be the way to go to reproduce the pitch of that low B string.
On a side note, I must tell Paul Warburton that listening to his clips:http://www.talkingblues.net/talkinbass.html REALLY made crave those low notes. Great playing and tone.

Paul Warburton · #7 03-22-2010, 10:50 PM

Thanks, man. Nice of you to mention that.

Amin · #8 03-23-2010, 07:02 AM

Thanks Paul, and thanks sjd007..!

Yes, I am an "arco player", and as my bass is very dark, I need something to get it clearer.. And I was thinking to a spiro B as clarity (and power) is what I need on this bass..
Now the bass has a spiro mittel G, spiro weich on D A E and an unknown horrible B string that came with the bass. As I find the weich tension perfect for these lowest strings, I asked Thomastik for the right spiro low B in commerce matching the weich tension...
I got an answer from Mr Rieger at Thomastik, who was really helpful.
Here's his kind reply:

Dear Amin,

I guess you use the ¾ set (3885,0w).. so there would be 2 possibilities:

The 3885,6 (a ¾ C1-string tuned down) would have about 29,00 kg tension on 104cm.
The S41 (a 4/4 string low B string) would have 31,30kg on 104cm.

The tension of the other strings you find in the catalogue. To compare easier I gave you the tensions on 104cm. I hope this helps and send..

Best regards from Vienna,
Bernhard Rieger

Finally I have chosen the C1 string which I will tune down (B)..I think it will be more or less the same tension as the E weich on my bass (it is 105.5cm.. longer than the 104cm stated in Mr Rieger's measurements..)...I'll let you know when it will be on the bass!

Thank you so much for your posts.

Bill Bentgen · #9 03-23-2010, 07:47 AM

I play only orchestral music. I've used Flexocores for all 5 strings on my Pöllmann for the last 11 years. They are extremely easy to bow, really respond well, and they sound good on my bass.

Paul Warburton · #10 03-23-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amin

Finally I have chosen the C1 string which I will tune down (B)..I think it will be more or less the same tension as the E weich on my bass (it is 105.5cm.. longer than the 104cm stated in Mr Rieger's measurements..)...I'll let you know when it will be on the bass!

That sounds, all things considered, like a good decision.
Makes sense.
Yeah, let us know and good luck on that.

ElMon · #11 04-07-2010, 11:57 AM

Wanted to follow-up on this after I got a chance to review the Velvet B string I recently added to my Garbo set on my BSX Allegro EUB.

A few caveats......

I do NOT bow and can't report on that subject

My experience with Low B's on EUB/URB is limited to this Velvet B and a D'Addario Helicore Hybrid, which I hate to say was a floppy mess, no matter how I set the action.

That aside, I LOVE this string. The tension is even with the other strings in the set, and with medium action produces a strong fundamental all the way up to the second octave. Plenty of sustain for my needs, and tonally a good mix between the dark sound of gut/hybrid strings and the bright/punchy sound of steel strings.

ElMon · #12 04-07-2010, 06:37 PM

Here's some clips I recorded showcasing that Velvet B

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...93#post8957393

Amin · #13 04-08-2010, 05:35 PM

Thanks for posting!

Well, the Thomastik Spirocore 3885,6w string (a weich low C for a 3/4 instrument tuned down to B) is on my bass.
It sounds very easy and clear, but it seems to be too soft...and it does not keep so much the bow pressure..maybe I made some wrong consideration...it would have been better a medium C tuned down instead of a weich C tuned down...

I wrote back to Mr Rieger at Thomastik (he is really a nice and helpful person...!) and he gave some other suggestions.

I think I will go with the s41 ( a low B for a 4/4 instrument..)
I report down here the tension in kg for the various Thomastik's low fifth string... hope this could be of some interest for the community.

Tension measurements are here intended on a 104cm bass.

S40 medium> 27,5kg on B
S41 medium> 31,3kg
3885,6 medium> 29,0kg on B
3885,7 medium> 32,0kg

all the best

GFDBGuy · #14 04-08-2010, 07:39 PM

I'm using Flexicores on a new 7/8th Christopher Master Series Bass. The bass came with Helicore Hybreds and they were awful! Next I tried Corelli's, which I like for my Juzek. The B was awful! The Flexicores are dark sounding overall and the bow response is great. The B string is the best sounding one I have tried, full and focused. I only use this instrument for orchestra. Has anyone tried the new Evah B string?