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High tension strings for MIM 5'er.

M

Mike M.

Feb 14, 2010
2,208
174
#1
Looking for the right set of strings for my Fender MIM Jazz 5 string bass. The problem is that the E and low B always feel to loose for my liking. I've also found out that what works great on one bass may not work so well on another.

I've got an Ibanez SR505 that came with Elixers and that's what I still use because the tension is perfect on all the strings. Thought I'd try the same set on my Fender (34" scale just like the Ibby) and no dice. The B and E feel floppy.

Recommendations? Preferably something with a tapered B string as well.
 
#7
Marton said:
What gauge are you using ?
Click to expand...

As of now, the Elixirs on my Fender 5'er are set #14077 (Medium) for the G, D, A and E. Gauges are .045 thru .105. The low B is a medium .130 taperwound. Fact is, the few other sets of strings I've tried have also been of this gauge.

Again, as mentioned this set is perfect on my Ibanez. No flop what so ever. That's why I thought I'd try them on the Fender.

I'd be all set if I could find a set for my Fender where the tension feels just as good as the Ibanez does.
 
#8
Bought some D'Addario's today. Didn't cost that much....why not? The store didn't have the SS Dunlops or the Chromes for a 5 string that were suggested, so I thought I'd give these a try.

Got the EXL165 Nickel Wound set (.045 thru .105) and .130 XLB130T low B.

Well....yes and no. Yes, the tension is better on the low B. Other than a set of flats for a 5 string I really can't imagine getting much more tension out of a low B. Fact is the tension is much higher on all of the strings, especially on the A, D and G strings.

As far as no...I much prefer the fuller sound I got out of the Elixers. I had to increase the mid and bass from the onboard preamp quite a bit and even though I got close it just wasn't the same. For example, with the Elixers the low D on the 3rd fret of the B string really came across nice. Not so with the D'Addario. The low D seemed to vanish.

So the search goes on. Just because they aren't quite what I was looking for doesn't mean they won't work wonders for the next guy. Maybe I'll go to GC on Sunday and see what they have.

Keep those suggestions coming!
 
#10
knuckle_head said:
if your after the same tension on your B string as you have on your E you should look at a .140

A balanced tension set with a .105 as a foundation would be close to;

.142 .106 .079 .059 .043
Click to expand...

Thanks. I was thinking maybe a thicker B as you mentioned would be the way to go for this particular bass. Just didn't realize they went up that much!

Might be time to try some Circle K's!!
 
#11
XLB045 G 42.8 pounds of tension
XLB065 D 51.3
XLB085 A 48.4
XLB105 E 40.3
XLB130 B 34.5

These are the published tensions of the D'Addarios you bought. This is why the B and E feel floppy and the ADG feel tighter. Most sets are like this, this is traditional tension.

Sounds like you may like a balanced tension set as sold by Circle K Strings, or alternatively create a balanced set from single strings such as:

XLB045 G 42.8 pounds of tension
XLB060 D 42.9
XLB080 A 42.0
XLB105 E 40.3
XLB145 B 41.5

Either option will tighten up your B without over-tightening the ADG strings. All strings will be close to the tension of a 45 G.
 
#12
ixlramp said:
XLB045 G 42.8 pounds of tension
XLB065 D 51.3
XLB085 A 48.4
XLB105 E 40.3
XLB130 B 34.5

These are the published tensions of the D'Addarios you bought. This is why the B and E feel floppy and the ADG feel tighter. Most sets are like this, this is traditional tension.

Sounds like you may like a balanced tension set as sold by Circle K Strings, or alternatively create a balanced set from single strings such as:

XLB045 G 42.8 pounds of tension
XLB060 D 42.9
XLB080 A 42.0
XLB105 E 40.3
XLB145 B 41.5

Either option will tighten up your B without over-tightening the ADG strings. All strings will be close to the tension of a 45 G.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for the info provided. Very kind of you and very helpful.

I'm going to check out some Circle K's for sure. Thanks again.
 
#13
I recommend downloading the D'Addario tension pdf:
http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
This is the most useful string document I have ever discovered. There are tension charts for designing your own custom sets. Also an explanation of what determines tension, and a formula for calculating tension of any type of string of any gauge at any pitch on any scale length. You can use this data to approximate the tension of other brands to within very roughly 5%.
 
#14
I use Prosteels by D'Addario for my Ibanez neck through. They are wound tighter than Elixirs or Dr's. I love them because I use G# tuning so the strings don't buzz. The strings actually feel almost the same as using standard tuning playing with Nanowebs. The sound is bright and clear and for me they compete with any other string that costs twice as much. I play metal with a pick by the way.
 
#16
You can put together your own set right here and can choose from a bunch of different brands and types:
Invalid Link Removed

As mentioned, you need lighter treble strings and heavier bass strings. On my Brubaker, I use DR Sunbeams .45-105 for the bottom 4 (Sunbeams are low tension...34" scale is low tension, but the heavier gauge tightens them back up) and I use a DR Nickel LoRider .130 for the B since it's much higher tension than the Sunbeam .130. It's nice to be able to mix & match!
 

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