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B string - What is the lightest gage you can go?

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::::BASSIST::::

Progress Not Perfection.
Sep 2, 2004
12,524
291
Vancouver, BC Canada
#1
Since really getting into reggae, I am wanting to experiment and buy a B string to make my Stammie BEAD, but I want to try to keep the gauge as light as possible.

What's the lightest gague that works reasonably? I am wanting a flatwound. Probably Labella.

Would .109 work?

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#3
I personally won't go smaller than a .125..and that's only in case of emergency. I normally use .135 or .130. Keep in mind a .145 is the equivalent of a .105 E string. But that's just me!

And you'll get much better pricing and service here:
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That particular string alone looks to be about $6 cheaper there after the TB user discount!
 
#4
Why BEAD tuning for reggae? You'd be hard-pressed to find any classic, or modern, reggae tracks done on a 5 string or requiring non-standard tuning. Go with what you know.
 
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#5
I'm a BEAD flatwound player. 0.130 for the B string on my Ibby is just right for me. Lighter? Can be done. On my G&L, which is normally tuned EADG, I used a 0.105 flatwound E-string. I could go as low as C# with that. Tuning all the way down to B did not work. The intonation was very bad, as well as the playability. I'd say, at least a 0.120 for B.
 
#6
I have a customer that uses a .105 XL Nickel tuned to B. I honestly have no idea how he does it I couldn't...

Doesn't hurt to try! Most likely your instrument would need to be adjusted for it though.

I personally prefer a .120 round wound Low-B on my instruments I play slap style on. .130 / .135 on finger style... Brand and formula dependent of course..
 
#7
SLaPiNFuNK said:
I have a customer that uses a .105 XL Nickel tuned to B. I honestly have no idea how he does it I couldn't...

Doesn't hurt to try! Most likely your instrument would need to be adjusted for it though.

I personally prefer a .120 round wound Low-B on my instruments I play slap style on. .130 / .135 on finger style... Brand and formula dependent of course..
Click to expand...
With that 0.105 tuned to B the difference in tension between open string and fretted is relatively high. This should cause problems with intonation which are beyond adjustment possibilities.
 
#8
I have a .125 on right now and I really wish I could find a single .130 black beauty to replace it. Before that, I played with a .140 and it sounded good if not a little off on any note above the fifth fret. For a flat, I think .120 would be the smallest I'd go, .115 is there is absolutely no other choice.
 
#11
A few months ago I tuned a 4 string BEAD with fender flats 50/65/85/100 just playing around, I hated it. I've recently been playing dunlop super bright nickels 40/60/80/100 tuned EADG and I love them. Well, today I put the same fender flats back on the same 4 string and it sounds and feels awesome. I think I was playing a lot heavier the last time I tried them. IMO it is all about how you play your bass.

I know the OP has probably made a decision by now, but maybe this little nugget of information will help someone later.
 
#12
The lightest "B" string I've used was a .115 white nylon tape wound, it actually didn't sound bad, if it wasn't on my hollowbody with a floating bridge that didn't like the lack of down pressure I would of kept it like that for a few days probably.
 
#15
I have used a .118 with good result, but I prefer something with around 37-38lbs for tension. Usually this means something around .130. I have a Zon with no truss rod and 34" scale. If you have a truss rod and/or a longer scale you can more easily get away with running a lighter gauge.
 

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