Circle K balanced strings help tremendously with that. Though I'd really like to try a fanned fret bass someday.
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5 string J Basses with killer B strings?
- Thread starter Zanderwestcoast
- Start date
Circle K balanced strings help tremendously with that. Though I'd really like to try a fanned fret bass someday.
Hi there,
I tried a lot of 5-string basses in the last months, mostly the cheaper ones.
But once in a music-shop I also tried the expensive models of different manufactures.
Most of the 34" basses had problems with the clear, tight and powerful B-string, not depending on the price of the instrument. Some had more problems, some less.
And then I tried 2 Spector basses, one Euro 5 from Czech republic and one US 5.
Both are 35" scale, as far as I know.
And none of them had any problems with the B-string.
Maybe you can compensate the B-string-problem on 34" basses with trying different kinds of strings, but I think it's the longer scale that helps.
The next bass I buy will have 35" for sure.
Greetz vom germany
I tried a lot of 5-string basses in the last months, mostly the cheaper ones.
But once in a music-shop I also tried the expensive models of different manufactures.
Most of the 34" basses had problems with the clear, tight and powerful B-string, not depending on the price of the instrument. Some had more problems, some less.
And then I tried 2 Spector basses, one Euro 5 from Czech republic and one US 5.
Both are 35" scale, as far as I know.
And none of them had any problems with the B-string.
Maybe you can compensate the B-string-problem on 34" basses with trying different kinds of strings, but I think it's the longer scale that helps.
The next bass I buy will have 35" for sure.
Greetz vom germany
No price range.....open to spending the dough if necessary. Doesn't have to be a fancy exibition top....I am leaning towards a brazillian rosewood fb
Haven't noticed that issue with my Roscoe or Lakland 55-94.....both 35" scale
They play very even through all frequencies and string to string balance is great. String tension is great.
As for Dingwall....I just can't get over the look of them! Not to my taste at all......
I have a Roscoe LG-3005 fretless. 35" scale, great B.
I used to have a Devon Diamond J. 35" scale, great B. a few of these pop up used at IMHO insanely low prices.
I used to have two Hanewinckel 6-strings. Both 34" scale, great B strings. Would still have both if I didn't suck at 6-string.
My Alembic is a 34" and has as good a B as can get, but since it is no where near a J bass......
In my farting around at various music stores, the other B strings on J type basses that impressed me are.......
I used to have a Devon Diamond J. 35" scale, great B. a few of these pop up used at IMHO insanely low prices.
I used to have two Hanewinckel 6-strings. Both 34" scale, great B strings. Would still have both if I didn't suck at 6-string.
My Alembic is a 34" and has as good a B as can get, but since it is no where near a J bass......
In my farting around at various music stores, the other B strings on J type basses that impressed me are.......
- Pedulla PentaBuzz and Thunderbass
- MTD Z5
- Sadowsky (I miss Low Down Sound)
The Carvin SB5000 and B50s sound killer, and are much, much cheaper than anything of comparable quality. Check out Ed Friedland's review of the SB5000 on YouTube.
The B50 is identical to the SB5000 aside from the body shape.
As other folks have said, don't overlook the American Fenders. Their current crop of 5ers is quite nice.
The B50 is identical to the SB5000 aside from the body shape.
As other folks have said, don't overlook the American Fenders. Their current crop of 5ers is quite nice.
Best I have ever played was on the Dingwall Afterburner II I used to own. Hated playing the bass due to the B being 36-37" and the fanned frets were something I could never get used to.
Beyond that one, my Modulus Quantum 5 has a great B as did my Lakland 55-02, Roscoe SKB 5 and 6ers and suprisingly... my 34" Sadowsky Metro.
Lots of good ones out there IME.
34" Fender 5ers can be pretty good, but definately a Jazz over a P5. Not a fan at all of the recent American P5's' B AT ALL.
Beyond that one, my Modulus Quantum 5 has a great B as did my Lakland 55-02, Roscoe SKB 5 and 6ers and suprisingly... my 34" Sadowsky Metro.
Lots of good ones out there IME.
34" Fender 5ers can be pretty good, but definately a Jazz over a P5. Not a fan at all of the recent American P5's' B AT ALL.
Maybe a bass with an Extended B string, as far as I know you find those in Foderas, and maybe some other boutique basses.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/foderas-extended-b-185453/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/foderas-extended-b-185453/
Killer? Mike Lull. I think that's it for. Of course, I wouldn't own a bass that didn't have at least a good B string but as for one that really slays it's Mike Lull. Well, there's also my buddies heavily modded Squier VM Jazz 5 that also had an amazing B string but I haven't played nearly enough 5 string Squiers to say whether or not that's normal.
I've yet to play a Roscoe J yet but if the B strings on their jazzes hit as hard as the Bs on their normal models then they're also worth a look. The same can be said for the F-bass VF models.
I've yet to play a Roscoe J yet but if the B strings on their jazzes hit as hard as the Bs on their normal models then they're also worth a look. The same can be said for the F-bass VF models.
Sometimes it's the string, not the bass.
That being said, Spector, Sadowsky, Fender, Lakland - I've tried them all, I owned two. Amazing B-string, both 35" scale. I use Elixir Strings and DR Lowriders.
That being said, Spector, Sadowsky, Fender, Lakland - I've tried them all, I owned two. Amazing B-string, both 35" scale. I use Elixir Strings and DR Lowriders.
interesting I suspect it might be a poor B string installation/setup. In my experience (with way over 200 hundred basses built) I have never found a Nordy with intonation problem (but than again, I find most of these problems - in any basses that is - are in the way a B string is being installed and set up).
But (again) it might be that that bass is not working for you. I suggest (on the list of basses mentioned on this thread) to give the Classic model, (34", one piece maple neck) a spin
M
My Alleva-Copollo EUT5 (70's jazz 5) is the best 5'er I've played. Has the best B string.
2nd is my (Aus made ) Mallioux J5
2nd is my (Aus made ) Mallioux J5
While it's not a tradition jazz with two single coils I would throw the Yamaha BB (I have the 1025X) series in there. Great single coil bridge pickups paired with a split coil at the neck. Really sharp and articulate. And it's a 34 scale but the B is incredible.
interesting I suspect it might be a poor B string installation/setup. In my experience (with way over 200 hundred basses built) I have never found a Nordy with intonation problem (but than again, I find most of these problems - in any basses that is - are in the way a B string is being installed and set up).
But (again) it might be that that bass is not working for you. I suggest (on the list of basses mentioned on this thread) to give the Classic model, (34", one piece maple neck) a spin
M
I love the bass apart from the B string. I don't think it is a set up issue.....I have 8 other basses including a Roscoe 5 string and a Lakland deluxe 55-94 5 string I have no issues with. I have had problems with the B right from when I first bought it new. I sent it back down to Nordstrand and some adjustments were made to the frets which helped but didn't fix it. I wonder if the neck is not as straight as it should be....
