5-string basses with tight, clear sounding B strings

[fourstringbliss]

My next bass is going to be a 5-string, but what's the point of having a 5 if the B is floppy or muddy sounding?

I owned a Lakland 55-01 before and that had a really nice B, but I didn't care for the sound that much.

What are some other basses with tight or at least clear sounding B strings? I want a B that balances well with the other strings.

 

[wujuu]

what do you currently own? there are many basses with a "nice" b-string, ranging from different scales and tensions...probably anything high end will have a satisfactory b unless you are looking for something really specific

from personal experience, i would say the sr5 has a solid b string..and i'd stay away from mim fender 5's...the roscoe or marcus have "nice" 5's imho

if you want string to string consistency you can adjust that with pickup height, slant, and string heights..hope this helps

 

[sethlow3]

The best I've ever played and felt were

Musicman Stingray 5
Modulus Quantum 5
Roscoe LG3005
Yamaha BBN5A

Right now I only have a Stingray 5 and would get the Quantum next if I had the bread.

 

[sethlow3]

what's the point of having a 5 if the B is floppy or muddy sounding?

If you like tapping, the high C tuning is SUBLIME!

 

[steve21]

Lakland 55-02. Different pups.

Ibanez SR505/SR905/SR1005

 

[bassteban]

All the Warwicks I've owned had very good B strings; I have one of the few(IME)Fender 5's w/a good B; Musicman's also nice. Ken Smith does a great B, Yamaha TRBs are good, Pedullas are good...
Lots of good B basses out there.

 

[Woodchuck]

Sadowsky, Lull, and I've heard that the Valentis have a sweet B.

 

[Munjibunga]

MTD 535-24, Yamaha TRB5P-II, and that Roscoe LG3005 is beginning to grow on me.

 

[Spencer!]

+1 on Modulus, their B's are thundering. Zon has the best feeling B I've played, but Jerzy Drozd has the most punchy, clear B.

 

[jokerjkny]

34" scale:
Sadowsky
Ken Smith

35" scale:
Roscoe
MTD
Fodera

then again, its also about technique, too.

 

[Baryonyx]

Two of the most thunderous Low B's I've ever heard were on a fretless Pedulla Hexabuzz (and the bass played brilliantly as a whole too) and a Warwick Through neck Thumb. Amazing tension, clarity and punch from both of them.

 

[slap_happy]

+1 for the MM SR5, but that's probably closer to the lakland sound you were trying to get away from. Modulus Q5 would be a good choice as well. Any good 35 scale obviously..

 

[Baryonyx]

And for a cheaper suggestion, the Ibanez BTB405 model has a fantastic low B and a great all round sound if you don't mind playing a 35" scale bass.

 

[Marcus]

I prefer the sound of the B on my Zon Legacy Elite.

Very clear, and defined, much like every other string ^_~

 

[Earwigger]

I think the MusicMan and Fender B strings are lacking in general, especially the Fenders. If you pay 3000$ for a Zon, it had BETTER have a great B string IMO. If you want an average-price factory bass with a good B, try Warwicks or Ibanez.

I was screwing with a Fender American Jazz 5 at Guitar Center and the B had tons of sound, but no note. I couldn't tell what was being played when I hit it, it was like a feedback hum.

 

[embellisher]

Man, there are so many nowdays. What is your price range?

Some of my favorites:

34" - Zon, Pedulla
35" - Peavey Cirrus, Modulus, Roscoe, Lakland USA

 

[wujuu]

If you like tapping, the high C tuning is SUBLIME!

i second that with a big smile

sublime indeed

 

[Blues Cat]

Dingwall AB's. Very balanced and one of the best B strings, ever.

 

[VinceLovesF]

I think the JP Basses, MTD, Fodera, F Bass have some of the finest Bs!! (I don't know the others high end nor all basses lol!)
I will say that only for me, but I don't think Fender makes good Bs, they're OK that's it for me....

Vince

 

[BurningSkies]

Check out Dingwall. Beautiful B and even across the board.

You'll dig it.