5 string players what strings do you like?

[georgestrings]

For me, it depends on the bass:

Sterling 5 HS - Regular Slinkys(.045-.130)
Music Man SUB5 - D'Adarrio EXL170-5(.045-.130)
Peavey Foundation 5 - D'Adarrio EXL170-5(.045-130)

The Slinkys work just right on my Sterling, but were a little too bright for my tastes with my other two 5ers - D'Adarrios work better for them... When I played Ibanez, Spector, or Schecter 5ers, Boomer Mediums worked better for those...

I've tried lighter strings, but don't like the feel or sound of them - if anything, I'd go slightly heavier... FWIW, I pretty much only use 5ers for the lower notes, and don't play up the neck all that much on them - so maybe that makes a difference here... I'm looking for clarity of notes on them, but trying not to be overly bright - I basically want them for a lower extension of my standard tuned 4 strings... I also play primarily with a pick - so that probably comes into play as well...


- georgestrings

 

[Mike M.]

On my SR505 I use Elixirs. That's what came on the bass and I continue to use them because they work. The tension of those strings on THAT bass is perfect.

On my Fender American Standard Jazz bass it took me a long time to find strings that were best suited for that bass in particular. I finally settled on a custom set of DR Lo Riders. I use a 130 110 085 060 040 set and the tension is pretty much just how I like it, especially on the B and E strings.

It's amazing how one size will not fit all, so to say. Because the Elixers work so well on my SR505 I tried them on my Fender and they flopped all over the place.

 

[pfox14]

Currently I have rotosounds 66. A bit chunky. To bright the first 15 hours but once broken in they rule.

I love the blue steels post boiling. Brand knew they are amazing for 20 minutes and then go flat. I just went straight to boiling them and they deliver lasting deep rich tone.

Elixirs are amazing and so far my favorite.

Dunlop xl. Nickel are cheap and have a nice growl.

I am also using Roto 66s 45-130.

 

[theduke1]

LaBels Black Nylon tape wound flats. I run them on all 4 of my basses. 3 fivers
And one four banger

 

[radioface]

D'Addario Half Rounds.

 

[cnltb]

Newtonestrings.
Steel roundwounds, exposed core would onto round core.

They last, they sound and feel really good and they are a nice company to deal with.

 

[Mortom27]

Do the Elixers not fuzz up or does the coating stay on better than in the past? I remember seeing Elixers that looked like they were growing hair in the past.

if u play with a pick (which I do) the coating will eventually
start to peel, but if you play finger style stay for a long time.

 

[prokfrog]

I'm a recent American Deluxe Jazz-5 owner, and to save all the background, I'm really liking SIT Power Wound Nickel however in a custom 40/60/80/100/120. Believe it or not, the 120 B rings clearer, and much more defined. AND I'm getting LESS fret noise. That said, I just put on a set of Dunlop Nickel 40-120 to try out. Tension about the same as SIT. They feel real good. They have a mid presence that I really never heard with other brands. We'll will see in a band setting. They have a polite high end, and have well balanced sound across all strings.

 

[Febs]

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys Mediums (.050, .070, 085, .105, .135)

These are what I use on my EBMM SR5HH.

 

[bassbully]

For me, it depends on the bass:

Sterling 5 HS - Regular Slinkys(.045-.130)
Music Man SUB5 - D'Adarrio EXL170-5(.045-.130)
Peavey Foundation 5 - D'Adarrio EXL170-5(.045-130)

The Slinkys work just right on my Sterling, but were a little too bright for my tastes with my other two 5ers - D'Adarrios work better for them... When I played Ibanez, Spector, or Schecter 5ers, Boomer Mediums worked better for those...

I've tried lighter strings, but don't like the feel or sound of them - if anything, I'd go slightly heavier... FWIW, I pretty much only use 5ers for the lower notes, and don't play up the neck all that much on them - so maybe that makes a difference here... I'm looking for clarity of notes on them, but trying not to be overly bright - I basically want them for a lower extension of my standard tuned 4 strings... I also play primarily with a pick - so that probably comes into play as well...


- georgestrings

George you like quite a few others like D'adarrio strings for 5ers. They are easy to find but how long do they last? I have heard they go flat pretty quick but I'm not really up on strings out there today.

 

[Up the dose]

EB Cobalt. Baddest string in the game right now. They don't die. I have been playing for almost 30 years and I have never had a set of strings sound this good for this long. They are amazing.

 

[georgestrings]

George you like quite a few others like D'adarrio strings for 5ers. They are easy to find but how long do they last? I have heard they go flat pretty quick but I'm not really up on strings out there today.

I've had excellent luck with D'Adarrio strings in general - they seem to last as long *for me* as any other string, and are pretty consistant... They also have the bonus of being very reasonably priced - especially if you buy from bassstringsonline.com, or get shops to price match - and buy the 2 packs...

I only recently stopped using them for my 4 string Fenders, as they lengthened the taper on their long scale .105 - the new length doesn't work for me at all, so I went back to Boomers for my Fenders... I still use D'Adarrios for most of my Music Man basses, though - great string, great company...

Hope this helps,


- georgestrings

 

[Mjinsk]

I play Elixir, on my Warwick Thumb 5 NT. I can't find this tone and feel on any other strings.

 

[bassbully]

I play Elixir, on my Warwick Thumb 5 NT. I can't find this tone and feel on any other strings.

So since my bass is string thru do I need extra long or do long scale string fit? It is a 24 fret Fender 5.

 

[KaseOfBass]

So since my bass is string thru do I need extra long or do long scale string fit? It is a 24 fret Fender 5.

On my EBMM SR5 Classic that is string through only, I had to have the extra long scales to fit it. Speaking of, that's my only complaint with the Elixir strings, not enough options for us that primarily use 35" scale basses or that string through body. I did, however, find that the normal long scale strings will fit a 35" scale Lakland if you string through the bridge.

 

[bassbully]

Thanks guys for all the help. I could not find any extra longscales locally so I would have to order them but it's not going to happen.

I'm afraid the 5 string experiment is over a quickly as it started.First off its a fun bass but I'm just not "feeling it" and the preamp is kind of weird and just doesn't have what I want or need.

There is also an issue with the stacked pot. It appears to of been bent and it has allot of static and even cuts out some.
I was also surprised to find the B and E string hipshot tuners have a small crack thru the casing at the rear of them. I do not know how this happened and thought hipshot were the stuff...afraid not.

The shop I got it from has a 30 return policy so I will take it back. I never would of taken it home if they did not have the policy. I did not know if a 5er was something I wanted to go back to. I'm afraid it is not.

Back to passive 4s for me.

 

[hands5]

D'addario Super light.

For years I used to think heavier strings sounded better ... wrong ... lighter strings give me a better low B and low E.

If I'm not using Dunlop light Nickels,then these are my oyher go-to strings

 

[Jensby design]

Bigger B string I find easier to adjust my right hand technique to play...but with a lighter gauge B string I've found the sound is way better.

Depends on the brand that .142" Circle K makes is one ballsy sounding motherhumper I mean

 

[SteveC]

DR Hi Beams

 

[Bulldawg82]

GHS Flats for me. Not expensive and they feel (and sound) like silk to me. Even when playing hard music.