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5 string J Basses with killer B strings?

Zanderwestcoast

Zanderwestcoast

Supporting Member
Oct 3, 2010
418
270
Victoria, BC
#1
I may be in the market for another 5 string Jazz style bass, or boutique type bass with single coils. I would appreciate any good feedback specifically in relation to 5 string J's that have great B strings yet still have a vintage feel and sound.....

What I would consider a "good" or "great" B:

- Is tight, well focused, notes ring clear and deep.
- feels like a natural extension of the instrument while retaining
the charachter of bass.
-not floppy or boomy sounding with poor intonation even higher up the neck.

Among my 8 basses I have a Nordy VJ5. It is a 34.5 inch scale.
Overall I love this bass. Plays super fast. Well built and great vintage tone that I love. My only complaint is that the B is not as "connected" or defined as I would like. The intonation and clarity of notes I find poor.

I know lots of guys prefer the 34" scale but i don't know.....I think 35" stands to give you a more focused and tighter B.
Any thoughts?

Zander
 
#2
Zanderwestcoast said:
Among my 8 basses I have a Nordy VJ5. It is a 34.5 inch scale.
Overall I love this bass. Plays super fast. Well built and great vintage tone that I love. My only complaint is that the B is not as "connected" or defined as I would like. The intonation and clarity of notes I find poor.
Click to expand...

I've never played a Nordy but I wouldn't imagine it would have a bad B string.

If you like 35 inch scale go with lakland or you could try Nino Valenti. He's building me a 35 inch scale J now.
 
#6
I have a modulus genesis 5er with single coil barts. it has a 35 in neck and has the best b around imo. Great bass I just took the pre out and run it passive. it sounds better than ever.
 
#9
My Warwick Corvette standard 5 has an killer B, even on a 34" scale. Its tight, focused, every note on it has the same value as all the other strings.. Its what I would consider a perfect b string.

I dont know how newer models sound (they are made in Korea now, mine is German) but you should definitely check the classifieds here for one. There a few for sale.
And they've got two jazz pickups so thats right up your alley.
 
#11
There is allot of debate about a 35" vs 34" inch scale.
You can read this somewhere in Talkbass world.

That said, I have a Sadowsky Jazz 5, (34") with single coil pups, and its outstanding. B is strong.

I have an AC, LG-5, (34") with Jimmy's pickups and its just as good as the SAD, maybe even a touch better in a different way. Very even through all strings.

My Mike Lull 5 Pbass is just as good with the longer (35") scale.
The Lakland's I have (35") also have outstanding B's.

The difference for me is not the B string, its the G, D, A, strings.
These are the strings that sound different with 34" vs 35" inch scales.

Only way I know to find out what you like is...Play it!

Enjoy
 
#12
I've owned the following basses with killer B's.

34":
Sadowsky Metro P/J
35":
Lakland DJ5
Lakland JO5
Lakland 55-01
Lakland 55-02 (x3)
Lakland 55-64 LOG
Lakland 55-94

I still own the following basses, also with killer B's
Carvin B25P
Carvin SB5000
Carvin B50 (x2)
Reverend Mercalli

I've owned these which stand out as having particularly poor B-strings, IME:
Washburn Taurus T25
An older SX

I hear Dingwalls are famous for their B strings, though I;ve not tried one.

IME, 35" is not required for a good B string, nor does it guarantee one. The B's on the 34's I won are 100% as solid as the 35's I had. But when I have encountered a dead B, it's been on a 34".
 
#14
ChetChetney said:
My Lakland 55-94 has a killer B, it's just a killer bass in general.
Click to expand...

I agree...I have had a Lakland 55-94 deluxe since 1997. I also have a Roscoe SKB 3005. Both have killer B strings that put my Nordy's B to shame.

I guess its a balance of finding that more modern tight focused B combined with an overall vintage feel. I was thinking of a Roscoe with single coils as I love there necks. Perhps Alleva Copollo, but I have noticed a bit of floppiness to the B from the clips I've heard.
 
#18
Stingray5 said:
My Mike Lull M5V has an absolutely killer B string.
Click to expand...
This! I love mine!

lull1a.jpg
 
#19
I have a few 5 strings, and have played many. IMO the new (2010) Fender American Deluxe Jazz has a B as good as it gets. I am tuning down a half step and it is tight, well defined with great intonation. At its price point it is a bargain. I had to fool with the electronics to get it right, but it is excellent.
 
#20
A Dingwall SuperJ 5 will give you a 35" B (down to 32" on the G).

The thing I don't particularly like about 35" scale basses is what it does to the treble strings; they sound too bright and feel too tight. Sure, you'll get a good sounding B, but you sacrifice the tone and feel on the other strings. That's where a fanned fret bass excels.
 

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