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B string flop

G

Gilgland

Mar 3, 2011
11
0
Virginia
#1
Hello everyone, I was looking through the forums for an answer to my question but haven't been able to find one yet so I figured I'd go ahead and ask.

I have an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V playing through a Fender Rumble 350 standard BEADG tuning. The issue I am having is that the B string is so floppy that you can't really decipher a note out of it until I pass the 5th or 7th fret wich really defeats the purpose of the 5th string.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a set of strings that may help tighten the sound up a bit. I am currently using a set of D'Addario EXL170-5 XL .45 gauge strings on her. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it, even if it is something other than the strings.

I don't know if this will help or not but the other 4 strings sound nice and tight, if not a little tinny but that B just kinda flaps in the wind.

Thanks!

P.S. I am relatively new to bass, I have been playing for about a year now, so if this is a dumb question I apologize, I just haven't been able to figure it out on my own.
 
#4
That set has a .130 B string which has 34 pounds of tension. That's pretty floppy. I like at least 40 pounds minimum. DR Nickel LoRiders maybe? They are by design NOT floppy.

Problem is, only D'Addario and Circle K strings publish their tension measurements so it's really a crapshoot outside of those two companies. If you go Circle K, you'll want the Balanced .142 set.

And like Funk said, if you go to a .135 D'addario that will get you up to 36 pounds, so a little tighter. I'd personally go with a .145 if I had to get D'Addario though.

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#6
Sounds more like a bass issue than a string issue to me as well, however, changing strings is the easiest and cheapest option...so I fully support trying out a few different kinds in hopes you getting your bass the way you'd like it. Otherwise, you're looking at a new bass. Unfortunately, 5ers can be tough when it comes to that B string.

I would try some DR Lo Riders as mentioned above. They are wound on a hex core, so by nature they are a little stiffer than a normal string. Plus, they're great strings! I prefer the stainless steel sets myself, but that's a personal choice.
 
#7
Thanks for the suggestions. I actually made a bit of headway on it by tweaking the EQ on the amp and the bass and raising the string height a bit. It will take a bit of getting used to as far as the string height goes but I think between that and with some of your suggestions on strings I may be able to get the sound I want out of it. Thanks again!
 
#8
Tbirds are kinda funky to set up. When I had mine it took probably 3 "tries" with my tech to get it dialed in just right. I find once I get it set up "right" as long as you use the same kinda strings the neck has the same tension and I really only need to minimally adjust the truss rod (if any) to get me back where I wanna be. Intonation and action is usually pretty spot on.
 
#9
This is the main reason I've used Elixirs on all my five string basses for the past 6 years.
I use both the .130 Tapered and Untapered B strings. It just depends on which bass it's on.
 
#16
mmbongo said:
That set has a .130 B string which has 34 pounds of tension. That's pretty floppy. I like at least 40 pounds minimum. DR Nickel LoRiders maybe? They are by design NOT floppy.
Click to expand...

This. I use this set on my 5. No problems at all. This is also why some swear by 35" scale 5 strings. Mine is a 34" scale and I have used other sets with no problems, but I like the higher tension.
 

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