Flats for a 34" five string.

[michael_t]

Now there's an idea to try. I wonder why, then, the five string set has such an apparent discrepancy in relative gauges? Is it a matter of balancing tension across the fretboard for sake of the neck?

Here are the tension figures for the three sets of PWs GHS offers in long scale (37.25" winding)...

L7200:

G 040 - 37.2 lbs.
D 054 - 36.5
A 076 - 39.3
E 096 - 34.2

(B 128 - 34.0)

ML7200:

G 044 - 43.3 lbs.
D 058 - 41.9
A 080 - 44.6
E 102 - 39.5

(B 128 - 34.0)

M7200:

G 044 - 43.3 lbs.
D 062 - 48.6
A 084 - 47.2
E 106 - 48.0

(B 128 - 34.0)

 

[Yahboy]

.140 vs .130/128/125 not just different in tension, the tone get darker and lost clarity sooner on .140 than those lighter B.

Balance string tension ≠ balance atring to string tone

 

[Papuzzo]

I have the pressurewounds on a Sire V7-5 jazz bass. The B string is not floppy and has great tone that is well balanced with the E string, and the tension difference isn't noticeable.

I tend to think that the sound of a bass mostly comes from the type of strings on it, so I tend to buy enough basses to cover the strings I want to use. If I had just one J Bass I would put pressurewounds on it as they can cover all bases relatively well. If I wanted to use roundwounds, I would buy another J bass or a stingray. If I wanted to use flats, I would buy another bass, probably a P bass.

 

[2milehighspike]

I recently acquired a new Musicman Stringray fretless that came with EB flats(not sure which but they have blue silk) and I have been impressed. I play 5rs almost exclusively and the B is not floppy at all and these have the most round sound from flats I've experienced. Good punch and growl. When playing an E on the B string and then open E it's remarkably similar. I've tried Chromes and I thought the B string didn't ring nearly as well and had more of a thud then a note. Pulled them immediately. The GHS P flats I liked as well. The Pressure wounds, while not a true flat wound is as close to a compromise as possible. I like them very much and I have a fresh set ready to go on the Ray, but I'm going to roll the the EB flats for a while. They really are good and I was never a EB strings fan on bass as well as treble guitars. DRs are a great string too but I've never tried their flat offering but When I use rounds it's usually the nickel Low Riders. They sound great on my Big Al 4sss.

 

[michael_t]

I recently acquired a new Musicman Stringray fretless that came with EB flats(not sure which but they have blue silk) and I have been impressed.

Blue silk = EB Stainless Steel Flats.
Purple silk = EB Cobalt Flats.

 

[2milehighspike]

Blue silk = EB Stainless Steel Flats.
Purple silk = EB Cobalt Flats.

. I thought they were the Stainless set, they are fairly bright. I tried the Cobalt rounds a while back and at first I liked them but they faded very fast!

 

[Root 5]

.140 vs .130/128/125 not just different in tension, the tone get darker and lost clarity sooner on .140 than those lighter B.

Balance string tension ≠ balance atring to string tone

I use .145 stainless steel rounds. Lots of clarity, sounds like the voice of God lol