How's the B string?

[Stinsok]

The Badass thread has been so much fun, I wanted to revive another thread that started some discussion, but I can't find it.

A lot of people, including myself, have asked the question "How's the B string on that thing?" You might get an answer like "oh man, too floppy-sold it...." My question is shouldn't we know what to expect with a 34'' or 35'' scale? Other than string brand and tension, what else could affect it?

 

[AxtoOx]

Well the reason a Dingwall has such a great B is the Fanned Frets. You have equal tension on the B as the other strings making for one of the best B's around. I personally have not found one too floppy. My experience is with MTD, F Bass, Warwick Thumb and Infinity, Dingwall ABII and G&L L2500. I liked them all.
Maybe it has to do w/ expectations? I don't know. I play 5'ers almost exclusively.

 

[Stinsok]

I forgot about fanned frets.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I got a cheapo P-bass copy...

bought it for ~$65 USD on ebay...

34" scale, Fender-style bridge...nylon-like nut...maple neck, rosewood?? board...

have it strung B-E-A-D with D'Addario Nickels (XL's)

the B is 0.130 and it is perfectly OK...not the best B in the world...but it works just fine, IMO...

 

[knuckle_head]

I got a cheapo P-bass copy...

bought it for ~$65 USD on ebay...

34" scale, Fender-style bridge...nylon-like nut...maple neck, rosewood?? board...

have it strung B-E-A-D with D'Addario Nickels (XL's)

the B is 0.130 and it is perfectly OK...not the best B in the world...but it works just fine, IMO...

The B is well served on a 4 as there is more wood/string than on a 5, particularly on a P-bass.

 

[PilbaraBass]

The B is well served on a 4 as there is more wood/string than on a 5, particularly on a P-bass.

wood/string...interesting concept...

can't attest to the validity of it, though...


so even if the wood is just cheap basswood?

 

[alfredpunkjazz]

Maybe has a lot to do with the position of the Tuner, angled headstocks may help to... Just my believe.

 

[BruceWane]

Well, I sure hope the neck isn't basswood.........

Anyway.....there's string brand and tension/scale length, but the overall stiffness of the bass is the biggest factor in making a good B string. Well, within typical designs, anyway.........you could make a super-duper stiff bass, but if it's got a 20" scale length, you'd have problems getting good low notes out of it. So there is a mix of design elements. A really well built 34" bass will have a better B string than a poorly built 35" (or longer) bass........but then a really well built 37" bass will have a tighter feeling B string than an equally well built 34" bass, that's just physics.

As long as you've got a well built bass, good and stiff, it just comes down to a preference for a certain feel. Some people like the tighter feel that longer scale lengths deliver, some like a softer feel. And because extended scale lengths might make the higher strings too tight, you can also get into the multi-scale thing (fanned frets) for a more even feel and tone all the way across the fretboard.

 

[BruceWane]

Maybe has a lot to do with the position of the Tuner, angled headstocks may help to... Just my believe.

As long as there is enough downward pressure to hold the string firmly against the nut, that's all that matters. Angled headstocks are prettier, but flat headstocks with string retainers are just as effective.

 

[SGT. Pepper]

If a 34 inch scale has a tilt back headstock or a flat bar retainer on the headstock the B won't be floppy. I woul advise to use a .135 to a .145 if there is no bar retainer.

 

[knuckle_head]

wood/string...interesting concept...

can't attest to the validity of it, though...


so even if the wood is just cheap basswood?

I was referring to the neck specifically - I would disuade you from making a neck from basswood.

FWIW basswood is generally only displeasing to the eye - I rather like the sound of it, and my only bass at present is made of it. It's inexpensive because it's more common than most other species.