Best low B string in the Biz?

[99Z3]

I will have to go with Dingwall on this, not because of the longer scale on the B string, but because each string is on it's own individual scale length, to which it allows more even tone and volume from string to string across the fretboard to be even, unlike a lot of even scaled instruments. This I feel is the reason that the B string sounds so much better to me. But now to some, because of this uneven tone across the fretboard might make some think that the B string is better because it is more pronounced in its projection in tone and volume compared to the other strings of the instrument.

 

[King Kolon]

It's probably been discussed a lot but what qualities in a bass actually make a B string better? Scale length makes sense to me but what else?

If you were to go to a Piano Repair Shop where one could actually See the Harp without the Cabinet around it, you would understand. A Studio Upright sized Piano, (48"high) has a 36" B str.(.130mm dia.) It's one octave the lowest note(register) on the Piano. Harmonically Speaking, the Piano String is tuned way tighter that our Basses, but when we play Hammeron's on either side of mid-point, the note(s) are in perfect pitch any where on the String. Try it!

 

[MobileHolmes]

(i can play a 4- or a 6- but a 5- feels awkward); i would have bought it otherwise. STRONG fundamental and sustain for hours.

Thank you! Something about 5's messes me up. I also only okay 4 or 6

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Nineteen years after it debuted, Peavey reintroduced the Cirrus bass to their instrument lineup at the 2016 Winter NAMM Show. The neck-thru design will once again be available in four-, five-, and six-string models featuring a 35-inch scale maple and mahogany neck.

Its alder body wings will be topped by either red oak or walnut. Similar to the previous versions, the bass’s neck is equipped with graphite stringers for rigidity. The new model also retains an 18-volt preamp though it has been improved with better shielding.

Other features include a rosewood or pau ferro fingerboard, VFL humbucking pickups, Gotoh tuners, and a milled brass bridge with a choice of top loading or stringing through the body. Peavey says more options will become available soon.

The reintroduced Peavey Cirrus basses will range in street price from $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the number of strings and options.

With this price point I would assume US built. My 4 string from 99 or so was around $1200

Sorry to burst your bubble but the new run of Cirrus basses will be imports. The goal is to compete with Dingwall and Lakland imports in that price range. I thought the US Cirrus were selling in the $2K range when they were pulled, no? May have just been due to the Canadian dollar though.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Lakland USA

 

[Green1]

I've owned Lakland, Sadowsky, Nordstrand, Dingwall, Valenti, Modulus (Genesis) and MTD, all USA models. I think the MTD had the best B of the bunch. It sounded big and clear all the way up the string, the Dingwall was good too but not better at least to my ears.

 

[Bassheart365]

I haven't read the posts, but I'm sure this has already been stated several times: A 37" Dingwall. Not even a close 2nd.

 

[Bassworship1]

I've owned multiple 35' scale basses but the best B string I've ever had is off of my current 34' scale Ibanez SR5005 Prestige. I don't know if it's a combination of the wenge wood but it is phenomenal. Best overall tone of any bass I've ever had.

 

[SteveC]

Roscoe has a great B string, and is really balanced with the others. I had a Sadowsky 5 that had a terrible B string. Must have been a Friday bass. I had a Warwick Dolphin Pro a long time ago that had a REALLY good B string. Maybe the best I ever played. If it wasn't such a heavy bass and difficult to play sitting down, I may still have it, except I think that overall I prefer my Roscoe to all I have tried.

 

[xparis001]

Modulus Q5 gets my vote.

 

[SteveC]

I've owned multiple 35' scale basses but the best B string I've ever had is off of my current 34' scale Ibanez SR5005 Prestige. I don't know if it's a combination of the wenge wood but it is phenomenal. Best overall tone of any bass I've ever had. View attachment 961727

That rig doesn't hurt, either.

 

[Bassworship1]

That rig doesn't hurt, either.

That is a fact...Best rig I've ever played through.

 

[Anders Barfod]

That is a fact...Best rig I've ever played through.

Those genzler cabs are genius. The four drivers are less hars than a horn and they block the laser beam 2-3kHz coming of the bass driver. No need for a crossover

But on scale lenght a 34" or even a 35" should not be enough for a "correct" B string. We used 34" for the longest time with a low E or at occasion to suit singers tune to E-flat. Why should a 34" ever really work with a low B. The fanned fret ibanez has a 34-35.5". Not extreme, but on the videos i have seen that low B start to get towards a more useable and more musical sound. Blends better with the other strings.

 

[bholder]

Thanks for the reply. There are hardly any videos of this beast on the internet and needless to say you can't feel the vibration through the pc. So it won't do any justice.... Yours is a bolt on or thru? How do you think a fretless version of the quake would sound?

Just saw this thread pop back up, went through it and realized I never answered this question. Neck through, I believe all of the Quakes are, I forget the bolt-on model name. And yes, mine is fretless.

The 39.55" scale Knuckle Quake gets my vote!

 

[Whippet]

Just saw this thread pop back up, went through it and realized I never answered this question. Neck through, I believe all of the Quakes are, I forget the bolt-on model name. And yes, mine is fretless.
View attachment 1021308
The 39.55" scale Knuckle Quake gets my vote!

That is one nice looking bass! I have tried to get in contact with them but their site is down, although Facebook says he has 4 guitars that are being made. Unfortunately, there is no way to contact them...

With such a string length, what kind of effect do you think it would have, if yours was a through neck? If they ever started to make more of the Quake, do you think it would be worth it to get the NT version?

What is the sustain like on such a fretless neck like yours?

I have never seen those pickups. I guess they are made q tuner. How do you like them?

 

[bholder]

That is one nice looking bass! I have tried to get in contact with them but their site is down, although Facebook says he has 4 guitars that are being made. Unfortunately, there is no way to contact them...

With such a string length, what kind of effect do you think it would have, if yours was a through neck? If they ever started to make more of the Quake, do you think it would be worth it to get the NT version?

What is the sustain like on such a fretless neck like yours?

I have never seen those pickups. I guess they are made q tuner. How do you like them?

Mine is the neck through version, sustain is excellent. What I like most (when it's in the E0 tuning) is getting that fretless "mwah" on much lower notes. I don't know if Skip is still building, you might be able to reach him through the Kalium strings site. Yes, the pickups are Q Tuners - they're pretty amazing, they're very adjustable with all the polepieces.

 

[Korladis]

My best low B is on a 4003S.

 

[Bassworship1]

Best B i've ever played is on my new Warrior Dran Michael. They design their basses to have the B and E string strung through the but of the bass. Most powerful and clear B string I've ever heard.

 

[Whippet]

Mine is the neck through version, sustain is excellent. What I like most (when it's in the E0 tuning) is getting that fretless "mwah" on much lower notes. I don't know if Skip is still building, you might be able to reach him through the Kalium strings site. Yes, the pickups are Q Tuners - they're pretty amazing, they're very adjustable with all the polepieces.

Thanks for the information. Will give it a through Kalium Strings.

Being able to use that 5-9th fret as the low notes with fretless tone is awesome. I just hope he still builds instruments.

 

[mikkoantt]

My F Bass bn 5 have second best B after my long gone Fodera Emperor 5 with 36" scale. F Bass 34,5" scale is so comfortable to play and B string is very powerfull.