• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

BEST Low B strings

#22
While I can't say "the best" because I haven't tried them all......the low B on my Ibanez SR505 will knock a wall down! No flop at all.

While people knocked Fender 5'ers of the past, I bought a new American Standard 5 string Jazz bass in December and I'm very happy with the low B. No flop on this one either.
 
#28
Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to post sound clips. But I have 3 Warwicks (a 6 string, a 5 string, and a 5 string fretless) that are the best I have ever played and/or heard. It does not matter if I play thru a big rig, small practice amp, combo, or direct thru a PA. The Warwicks sound great all the way around. Tight and well defined notes and sustain for days!!! They are for sure my favorites!!!! The B string blends perfectly with all the other strings too.
I owned 4 other Warwicks that were not near as good as the ones I have now. I traded or sold them pretty quickly. But the 3 I have now are keepers!!!
 
#32
The easiest way to get a great B-string is to throw scale at the problem. I imagine a Dingwall has like a 37 or 38" scale? That's the driver!

What I'd like to hear about is who has the best B-string for common scales? Like 34"...

Then you'll largely be comparing string brands and types rather than scale which you can't change real well after purchase, right?

My Warwick Corvette $$ has a decent B-string using DD Chromes. It's a bit muddy with Sadowsky flats. Will going to a Roto77 B string (ignoring the QC issues I hear about for the moment) be a good move for me to try due to the higher tension for that brand?

What flatwound is >>almost<< as high a tension as a Roto77?
 
#34
KingRazor hit my biggest issue with B strings. They're hard to integrate.

KO

KingRazor said:
The B on this bass sounds really good, IMO: From 4 to 5-string bass with the Fbass VF5 - YouTube

The reason I say that is that the B string sounds just like the other strings. It blends in perfectly. A lot of the time, B strings seem to sound "off", they sound different from the rest of the strings. This is one example of a B that "jives" perfectly with the rest of the strings.
Click to expand...
 
#35
I'd like to hear examples played at concert volume with other instruments involved. My Fender Roscoe Beck 5 has a great B string and I string it through the body with DR HiBeam .040 - .120 set. My late 80's Stingray 5 also has a great B string. Both are 34 inch scale instruments. I can't play 35's.
 
#36
KingRazor said:
The B on this bass sounds really good, IMO: From 4 to 5-string bass with the Fbass VF5 - YouTube

The reason I say that is that the B string sounds just like the other strings. It blends in perfectly. A lot of the time, B strings seem to sound "off", they sound different from the rest of the strings. This is one example of a B that "jives" perfectly with the rest of the strings.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with this statement but it's often a statement that I hear coming from 4 string players which makes me more inclined to believe that the lack of familiarity with having a B string causes some people to think that it sounds different when it may not.
 
#37
That might be the case a lot of the time, but I started with a 5 string. I played it for 2 and a half years, so I believe I'm pretty familiar with B strings.

Ever since I gave up that 5 string I've wanted one again, ever since I found out that my particular bass was a lemon and that there are actually good B strings out there.

Honestly, I think if you have to play the low B on your bass any differently than any of the other strings...it doesn't have a good low B.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back