B-string issue...Ibanez SR505

[Turtle71]

OK, so this thread could be in either the Basses or String forum, so MODS feel free to move it if needed.

OK, the problem.

I bought a SR505 a couple months ago, and now I want to restring it, but it came shipped with a Taper-wound B string. I posted a thread over in the Ibanez forum (At Ibanez dot com). Anyway I was told that I could put any B string on that I wanted, and that it didn't have to be taper-wound, but if I wanted to go with a traditional string, that I'd obviously have to adjust the saddle height.

So....I went a purchased a set of Ernie Ball Power Slinky's (My preferred string)....So here I sit with a massive .135 B string, and I'm looking at the saddle and it occurs to me, that I don't think there is any way that this saddle is going to accommodate this string .....(the other 4 saddles should be OK, as none of those strings are tapers).

Now I find myself wondering if Ibanez didn't design these basses with the taper-wound B for a reason....

Any thoughts? Experiences? Suggestions?

 

[Burlington]

Did you try to put it on yet?

 

[lindseyp]

Turtle71-
I owned an SR405 that featured a similar setup; the saddle was all the way to the rear, almost 36 inches from the nut for proper intonation. On the other hand, it sounded killer from then on!

 

[Turtle71]

Did you try to put it on yet?

Yes and No....

I did remove the existing Taper-wound, and placed the new string in/against the saddle, and it just seems HUGE compared to the saddle groove, but I didn't draw it up to tension (I didn't want to cut the string in case I needed to return the set for a different one.

I feel like such a dumbass, been playing bass a long time, never have I needed to ask for help choosing strings LOL....

 

[bass4worship]

A 135 B is going to be big! What was you thinking?

 

[NortyFiner]

Hmmm. When I bought my SR505, I was told that it was strung with D'Addario XL rounds. But looking at it, I see that the B is indeed taper wound. Now I'm wondering what strings I actually have on my bass. Didn't Ibanez used to string their basses with Elixirs at the factory? I guess it doesn't matter too much since I've got some flats on the way and it's going to get re-strung and set up anyway...

 

[SpamBot]

I have regulars on my SR505, some old Rotos. Definitely not a 135 though

 

[Turtle71]

A 135 B is going to be big! What was you thinking?

Well, I wanted to stick with a gauge/set I was comfortable with, all my 4-strings are 105-85-70-50 I prefer these gauges, but the only 5 string set from Ernie Ball I found (with those gauges) was the set that came w/ the .135.

I'm now thinking maybe I should just buy a set of 4-string "Regular Slinkys" (Same gauges as above) then just grab a .130 B string.

Didn't Ibanez used to string their basses with Elixirs at the factory?

Yes I believe they did & still do, Elixer does have a Taper-wound B, but near as I can tell, it doesn't come in a set, you buy it individually.

 

[tobie]

When I switched from EADG to BEAD on my SR900, I could not get the new D'Addario .130 through the guitar body (at the bridge). I had to remove the cloth-wrap on the tapered end first. I'm not sure whether a .135 will go through at all!

Fortunately the .130 seems fine in its nut slot!

 

[HogieWan]

Yes I believe they did & still do, Elixer does have a Taper-wound B, but near as I can tell, it doesn't come in a set, you buy it individually.

All elixirs come in a 4-string pack with options for low Bs and high Cs.

The string doesn't have to sit in the groove all the way. The two points on the sides that the string touches will hold it in place.

 

[Turtle71]

OK, for those few who may be interested....

I just got the bass back from the shop, I had it set-up with the strings I bought (including that massive .135).

Aside from having to set string height and intonation, everything else about the B string went fine, so if any one else wants to stray away from the factory delivered taperwound B on an Ibanez, it can be done with the proper set-up afterward.