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Difference between .125 and .130 lowB string, in Dunlops

mbrancalion

mbrancalion

Dec 17, 2007
157
29
57
Grignano Polesine (RO), Italy
#1
Sorry folks..... i can't find anything in the messages history about this question......

I'm really intrigued since when i read, here, about the Dunlop strings ..... I've never used them........

In the past, i was a loyal user of D'Addario XL. I turned away from them when they started to make their strings in a different way...... I used to mount the .45 - .130 gauge, in my 5-stringers.......

Now, i see that the Dunlops come, for the 5string, both with .125 and .130 Bstring......

I'm tempted to order a set with a .125, as in my mind i "see" it more balanced....... Or am i wrong ? ........
I'm looking for some opinions from who has used them both way ......

Any advices?........
Thanks, and greetings.
 
#2
More balanced...

What you'll find is that the high side is waaayyyy tighter than the .005 difference in the B string.

Let's assume a decent E string is between a .095 and a .105, here are the gauges that would balance fairly well;

.142 .106 .080 .058 .043
.136 .100 .072 .055 .040
.130 .096 .072 .052 .037

I used the mass data I generated from my string designs for the above listed sets, but I will wager if you use the D'Addario unit weight/tension chart data it would be quite consistent.
 
#3
The above post is right on, but just to add another data source, the chart on D'Addario's web site lists the following tensions:

.135 B = 36.1 lbs
.130 B = 34.5 lbs
.125 B = 31.4 lbs

.105 E = 40.3 lbs
.100 E = 36.5 lbs

FWIW, I've found that a .130 B balances well with a set gauged .100 - .075 - .055 - .040, is readily available, and fit in the nut of my bass without modification.
 
#5
mbrancalion said:
I thank you two for your replies, but i don't believe these are the right answers for my question (with respect).
Click to expand...

Look at the E string in the set you are asking about. If the set has a .100 for E then Jim suggests a .130 would be fine.

If you are looking for a true balanced set the .130 would be better than the .125, but a .135 or .136 would be better balanced IMO.

If the set you are looking at has a .105 at E then a good B string would be a .140 or a .142. The .130 will be way light, but will still balance better than the .125.

In short; the .130 is less than ideal, but better.
 
#6
I'm not asking for theoric calculations:
i wrote ".... from someone who used them" ......

Once i tried to use a D'Addario XL .145 B string (in the usual .45 set, with a .100 E), and it was terrible .......
Maybe the tensions could well be paired, but sonic balance and effective use were awful ........

I prefer empiric experience, reported here, not theorizations....



Thanks anyway.
 
#7
I design, manufacture and test strings - this isn't theory on my part.

I repeat; if your choice is between a .125 and a .130 then the .130 will be better.

A .135 would be better still, but the only manufacturer to my knowledge that offers a .135 B under a .100 E in a set like that is me.
 
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#8
Jim Nazium said:
The above post is right on, but just to add another data source, the chart on D'Addario's web site lists the following tensions:

.135 B = 36.1 lbs
.130 B = 34.5 lbs
.125 B = 31.4 lbs

.105 E = 40.3 lbs
.100 E = 36.5 lbs

FWIW, I've found that a .130 B balances well with a set gauged .100 - .075 - .055 - .040, is readily available, and fit in the nut of my bass without modification.
Click to expand...
D'Addario specs have nothing to do with Dunlop strings.
 
#11
Craig_S said:
D'Addario specs have nothing to do with Dunlop strings.
Click to expand...

A .005 difference in size will be relationally the same difference in tension from one manufacturer to the next.

Dunlops may be slightly heavier or slightly lighter than D'Addarios, but relationally they follow.

I know this to be true.

Edit; per Jim Nazium's post of D'Addarios

.135 B = 36.1 lbs
.130 B = 34.5 lbs
.125 B = 31.4 lbs

per my formulae (Circle K's);

.136 B = 38.21 lbs
.130 B = 35.91 lbs
.124 B = 32.94 lbs

Relationally very similar spread.
 

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