BEST Low B strings

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Obviously "same" is relative on two different things. Shall we say the GOAL is to have them sound as much alike as possible.

I can say that it it common on cheapo basses for the open E to ring out and the E on the B string to be a dull thud. NOT the '"goal"! But we are talking fretted basses here which means a finger fretting a note is not supposed to be damping it. And on a decent bass it won't. And string difference again depends on the quality of the strings you are using (and scale length) even if one can argue that they are never going to be absolutely identical because of gauge differences.

I have a L2500 with TI Superalloys. The b string is one of the best I tried so far, and these strigs are simply awsome. I compared my L2500 (wich is not in the same league) with Adamovic and Ken Smith that I tried, and is at least at the same level (speaking of tone here, the feel and the constructions on these Adamovic and Smith´s are superior).

My L2500 is modified: Ken´s bridge mod, changed preamp chip with its burr brown counterpart, and eliminated a condenser on the preamp board because it was muffling the sound. These changes opened up the tone in general and specially above the fifth fret, and the b string response is the same as the other 4 or maybe a tad stronger.
On recordings I hear any difference when playing the b in comparison with the other 4 in terms of tone. The volume is stronger on the B, that´s the only diference I hear.


And one other thing about the fretted E on the B and the opened E. On bass amps I can barely hear diferences but I do my tests on Genelec monitors. That´s why I hear all these diferences

 

[bassbenj]

I have a L2500 with TI Superalloys. The b string is one of the best I tried so far, and these strings are simply awesome.

My L2500 is modified: Ken´s bridge mod, changed preamp chip with its burr brown counterpart, and eliminated a condenser on the preamp board because it was muffling the sound. These changes opened up the tone in general and specially above the fifth fret, and the b string response is the same as the other 4 or maybe a tad stronger.

I keep hearing great things about TI strings, and I'll have to fork out for some one of these days. Right now I'm using Dunlop nickle plated. The last (used) L2500 I bought came with them and even though they are just cheap strings I was really impressed with them. So I put a set on my Tribute. It really improved the sound! (formerly factory SIT strings)

My L2500s also have bridge mod, and chip change, as well as single coil mod etc. I'm really curious about which condenser you found was muffling sound on the preamp. Usually I run in passive about 80% of the time, but I'd still like to know more about the preamp mod.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Hi bassbenj,

I don´t know the exact number of the condenser. It´s the one that act as a buffer for when you switch between the passive mode and active mode.

With the condenser out it pops when you switch between passive / active but this doesn´t bother me. With the condenser, the upper harmonics were somehow muted and the low fundamental sounded like you had a curtain on your amp.

In the first pic you can see what condenser exactly.

In the second picture is how I did the bypass. After removing the condenser I soldered a wire in place of the condenser.

 

[Brad Johnson]

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.

I've found the opposite to be true. I've found amazing B's that I couldn't play just like the E because of the difference in output. The same plucking force would set a much larger string into a larger motion. As in HP cars, I'd rather have more performance at my disposal than I could dream of using than just enough or less.

I've also found that most people I've seen complain about B strings are the ones who want to treat each instrument as an ideal vs. playing what they actually have in their hands. This has overwhelmingly been the case... particularly with supposedly floppy B's. If they flop when they play them and sound so-so but don't flop when others play them and sound great... I tend to cut the string itself some slack. It's obvious at that point what it's capable of.

 

[KingRazor]

I've found the opposite to be true. I've found amazing B's that I couldn't play just like the E because of the difference in output. The same plucking force would set a much larger string into a larger motion. As in HP cars, I'd rather have more performance at my disposal than I could dream of using than just enough or less.

I've also found that most people I've seen complain about B strings are the ones who want to treat each instrument as an ideal vs. playing what they actually have in their hands. This has overwhelmingly been the case... particularly with supposedly floppy B's. If they flop when they play them and sound so-so but don't flop when others play them and sound great... I tend to cut the string itself some slack. It's obvious at that point what it's capable of.

My goal is to have my strings have the same tension and the same output. That's why I use Circle K strings. Balanced tension across each string. Combine that with the right setup and pickup height, and you can get pretty close to having the same output across the spectrum.

 

[Brad Johnson]

My goal is to have my strings have the same tension and the same output. That's why I use Circle K strings. Balanced tension across each string. Combine that with the right setup and pickup height, and you can get pretty close to having the same output across the spectrum.

Whatever works for ya.

 

[rockstarbassist]

In no particular order-

my top 3 (and these are owned, not by what i "read" on TB............)

MTD 535
Modulus Q5
Dingwall AB II 5

Spector is a close 2nd tier but these really stood out.

 

[bassbenj]

Hi bassbenj,

I don´t know the exact number of the condenser. It´s the one that act as a buffer for when you switch between the passive mode and active mode.

With the condenser out it pops when you switch between passive / active but this doesn´t bother me. With the condenser, the upper harmonics were somehow muted and the low fundamental sounded like you had a curtain on your amp.

In the first pic you can see what condenser exactly.

In the second picture is how I did the bypass. After removing the condenser I soldered a wire in place of the condenser.

Thanks for the info! I'll have to look into this!

 

[aqsw]

My goal is to have my strings have the same tension and the same output. That's why I use Circle K strings. Balanced tension across each string. Combine that with the right setup and pickup height, and you can get pretty close to having the same output across the spectrum.

With all your posts lately about best b strings, want to try dingwall, extended range, fanned fret,etc., I am pretty sure you want the Dingwall. Don't let anybody talk you out of it. They are phenominal basses with the best B out there (IMO) and alot of other players agree that have actually tried them. I think alot of naysayers have never "really" played one. Pony up the cash $$$$ and get one!!!

 

[KingRazor]

With all your posts lately about best b strings, want to try dingwall, extended range, fanned fret,etc., I am pretty sure you want the Dingwall. Don't let anybody talk you out of it. They are phenominal basses with the best B out there (IMO) and alot of other players agree that have actually tried them. I think alot of naysayers have never "really" played one. Pony up the cash $$$$ and get one!!!

I really have a feeling this could be my ultimate GAS killer. A 5 string with a killer low B and a tone that rivals the Fender P (IMO). Problem is, even used, they're really out of my price range. I was hoping I might get enough money from my tax return to get something like a Dingwall but I really didn't get enough for that. If I want a Dingwall I'm going to have to save up, and probably for quite a while.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I think the Combustions are around $1200 new. I've played several Dingwalls and while they are nice basses, they didn't click with me.

 

[maguire]

I just grabbed a used ABZ a couple of weeks ago. I was initially wowed by it, but Im not completely sold on the low B yet. Maybe I need a fatter B on this bass.

Here's the thing - I picked up my MIM Fender Precision again tonight, I have it strung BEAD with D'Addario chromes, and the B (.132) on the Fender seemed more impressive to my hands and to my ears.

Any suggestions on how to get that Dingwall B to sound like a Dingwall B? As far as I know there is only one choice for strings... the Dingwall VooDoo's. Maybe my expectations were set too high... or low... or whatever.

 

[bassbenj]

I just grabbed a used ABZ a couple of weeks ago. I was initially wowed by it, but Im not completely sold on the low B yet. Maybe I need a fatter B on this bass.

Any suggestions on how to get that Dingwall B to sound like a Dingwall B? As far as I know there is only one choice for strings... the Dingwall VooDoo's. Maybe my expectations were set too high... or low... or whatever.

A while back I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a Dingwall combustion in the TB classified. REALLY nice looking bass! But before I did I decided to check on strings. Like you say only the Dingwall ones seem available. Not that I don't like the sound of them or anything, but I'd really like to be able to try some of the standard things if I was in the mood. So I backed off for now.

I'd REALLY REALLY like for a couple of the major makers to offer Dingwall sets in some of their standard lines (flats, nickleplated, ground wounds,etc.) It wouldn't matter to me if they were ONLY available direct from Dingwall. I can only hope that Dingwall eventually gets to talking with some of the bigger name string makers to offer a variety of Dingwall sets. It can't be THAT big a deal for string makers to make these.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

Does it have the stock Dingwall strings? If not start with that.

I just grabbed a used ABZ a couple of weeks ago. I was initially wowed by it, but Im not completely sold on the low B yet. Maybe I need a fatter B on this bass.

Here's the thing - I picked up my MIM Fender Precision again tonight, I have it strung BEAD with D'Addario chromes, and the B (.132) on the Fender seemed more impressive to my hands and to my ears.

Any suggestions on how to get that Dingwall B to sound like a Dingwall B? As far as I know there is only one choice for strings... the Dingwall VooDoo's. Maybe my expectations were set too high... or low... or whatever.

 

[Sheldon D.]

I just grabbed a used ABZ a couple of weeks ago. I was initially wowed by it, but Im not completely sold on the low B yet. Maybe I need a fatter B on this bass.

Here's the thing - I picked up my MIM Fender Precision again tonight, I have it strung BEAD with D'Addario chromes, and the B (.132) on the Fender seemed more impressive to my hands and to my ears.

Any suggestions on how to get that Dingwall B to sound like a Dingwall B? As far as I know there is only one choice for strings... the Dingwall VooDoo's. Maybe my expectations were set too high... or low... or whatever.

Those two setups are going to sound radically different. The P with Chromes will be very bottom heavy and the ABZ (assuming the strings aren't dead) more balanced across the spectrum.

If you've AB'd them at a gig and adjusted your settings for each bass, what was the response from your band mates and audience? If you haven't gigged the ABZ yet, you might want to reserve judgment until you do.

 

[Sheldon D.]

A while back I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a Dingwall combustion in the TB classified. REALLY nice looking bass! But before I did I decided to check on strings. Like you say only the Dingwall ones seem available. Not that I don't like the sound of them or anything, but I'd really like to be able to try some of the standard things if I was in the mood. So I backed off for now.

I'd REALLY REALLY like for a couple of the major makers to offer Dingwall sets in some of their standard lines (flats, nickleplated, ground wounds,etc.) It wouldn't matter to me if they were ONLY available direct from Dingwall. I can only hope that Dingwall eventually gets to talking with some of the bigger name string makers to offer a variety of Dingwall sets. It can't be THAT big a deal for string makers to make these.

There are a surprising number of brands that fit. Here's a ton of information on what brands of strings work on our long scale basses, what ones don't and players impressions of them.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[BurningSkies]

And with all those brands, Sheldon, I still love yours the most. I do have to give a very high honorable mention to the stuff that Payson is doing, and I do have a set of nickel rounds that I've used and will continue to use in the rotation, but I really enjoy the feel of your strings along with the tone.

Lots of folks are looking for a B with big boom. To me that's one of the problems with many B strings. They're way unbalanced with the other strings on a bass tonally and volume wise. That's where the Dingwall is UNLIKE other standard scale basses. The B is even in tone and volume, making it way more useable in the playing, it integrates those low notes where on other basses you almost have to use them as a punctuation or 'effect'. It also means that you can EQ for the whole range of notes rather than a portion of your bass, and you don't have try to 'balance' your tone for the B.

The other nice thing is that as you work your way up the neck, the playing positions in the above 5th position are entirely viable and you don't get that awful tubby wumbly tone that you do on many basses in playing the B or E strings up the neck.

 

[esa372]

I tend to cut the string itself some slack.

This has to be one of the greatest - almost unnoticed - puns ever written on TB.

Fantastic.

 

[ChrisCassisi]

Don't know if anyone said it yet but the Ibanez BTB basses have amazing b strings on ther 5 and 6 string models. The 676 is amazing for the price. I had a 4 string btb I tuned BEAD and it played and sounded awesome too.

 

[therhodeo]

Don't know if anyone said it yet but the Ibanez BTB basses have amazing b strings on ther 5 and 6 string models. The 676 is amazing for the price. I had a 4 string btb I tuned BEAD and it played and sounded awesome too.

I wondered if the 676 would get mentioned. I'm looking at buying one and a 34" 5 string is what sent me to 4 string in the first place now I'm looking to go back.