Making the low B sound good

Sharpie555 · #1 12-30-2010, 02:05 AM

First off, if this is in the wrong forum i apologize, i couldnt decide where it fit best.

Ok, now on to the question.

I recently purchased a 5 string( an olp stingray) because i wanted to try it. I now find myself not playing it simply because the low B sounds boomy and awful. i put new strings on and got fairly thick gage strings so the B wouldnt be floppy but that hasnt seemed to help. Ive also tried playing with the eq on my amp and i cant seem to fix it there either.

is there something simple im missing? and does anyone have any ideas on how to "tighten up" the low B sound? thanks much in advance for any help.

btw, my rig is an eden nemisis rs-400 into a peavey 1820(2x10" and 1x18") cab if it helps

Hellbastard · #2 12-30-2010, 02:47 AM

I used this book
It's got a lot of exercises and tips to addapt your right hand technique, as well as many exercises to help you with reading the extended bass clef for 5 string basses. Chord voicing and left hand exercises in different positions.

sonic assassin · #3 12-30-2010, 03:52 AM

i also have the OLP stingray, and though it is my only functional bass, ill say that it doesnt have an astonishing B string. lakland has given me the best results there. clear as a bell.

this is my experience with that particular bass.

i too had to get the learning curve down. firstly, it cant be hit as hard as the others. lighten up the attack and it wont flub all over the place. try to hit it closer to the bridge. try to dump some of the subby lows on your amp so the fundamental of a 30hz signal doesnt make a mess.

i only play elixir strings, so they are ALL better defined than most, but it really helps with the B string. the B on a pack of ernie balls went dead in a couple days. DR hi beams are a suitable replacement.

if possible, play notes on the higher strings closer to the nut. everything is clearer there. if you have an amazing B, this might not apply.

Pbassred · #4 12-30-2010, 06:43 AM

The low B IS a big fat flubby string - I haven't found a brand of string that makes it not so. You need restraint when using it. You can't simply play everything a string lower any more than you can play guitar lines on a bass and have them sound the same.

I use my 5th string as an alternative to playing open strings (so moving the line up 5 frets). But those deepest notes, I save for whole or half notes. It takes that long for a recognisable note to emerge. Its an earth shattering sound if you don't over use it.

theduke1 · #5 12-30-2010, 07:17 AM

I have been playing 5 string for 4 years and found that Carvin strings give me the best sound. Also if you can string your bass through the body and over the bridge you get a better sound. You can buy the parts to drill out the body online pertty cheap and most bridges have the hole in them to drill through so you don't have to remove all the strings. Just be careful to drill a true hole.
you can also try LaBella deep talking bass strings for a smoother sound.

Huge · #6 12-30-2010, 03:29 PM

Switching strings can help.

I went from D'Addario XL's to their Halfrounds on my l2500, and it feels way tighter. All of them do actually, not just the B.

Samsound · #7 12-30-2010, 03:36 PM

Mine was only okay down low. Tend to play it more gently, and for sub-E stroke further back. This was playing DI. I got the VT Bass pedal fir Christmas and that amp sound really makes my B string come to life. So, if you're not already, try playing through an amp or amp simulator.

jgroh · #8 12-30-2010, 03:37 PM

Are you saying the tones are too boomy or the string too floppy? There was a tip in Gary Willis' 100 Bass Tips book that I want to try. Basically to tighten up a floppy B string you buy "PC board spacers" (which look like little cylinders) and you put the string through and then through the bridge. It pulls the string tighter. My L2500 can get a little floppy and I want to try it out.

Mete · #9 01-14-2011, 04:55 AM

Well that's one fat string

, Maybe it's because of your technique? Practice will help, after a while it'll be ok, and watch some videos of steve bailey, or some bassist playing with 5-6 strings. Try to adapt yourself to it. I started with 5 strings to play the bass so i got used to it, 4 stringed basses are making a problem for me at the first few minutes