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Looking for 5 string set

Mike Brown

Mike Brown

Guest
Sep 1, 2014
116
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#1
So I have an Ibanez SR495 and I have yet to put new strings on it since I bought it. Partly because I don't know where to start when it comes to 5 string sets. I've done a bunch of reading on it but here is where i'm conflicted.

I hear the thicker gauge strings have more tension right? So if one has a floppy B, then the strings are too thin? However, I don't like the b string too big. Is there no compromise? Could setup play a key role here?

I'm hoping to order some strings cause there are a bunch of neat sales on strings. Any suggestions?

(I know there are too many threads like this, but I read a bunch and still didn't find what I was looking for)

Thanks,
-Mike
 
#3
I guess it depends on how much tension you like. DDT's will have very high tension at standard tuning, as they are designed for down tuning. But if you like high tension they would be great. Me personally, I like lower tension but most packaged sets have a B string with lower tension than the rest. So, I use a 40-100 set then add a .135 B string. I get them from Bass Strings Online.com of course :)
 
#4
I used to use DDT strings until switching to Kalium, aka Circle K Strings. I have a .150 balanced set on my fiver and a .142 balanced set on my sixer.

The Kaliums are not quite as bright but more so than normal nickel strings. However, they last much longer I.e. stay brighter. The 150's are pretty tight, the 142's not as much.

Eric
 
#5
mmbongo said:
I guess it depends on how much tension you like. DDT's will have very high tension at standard tuning, as they are designed for down tuning. But if you like high tension they would be great. Me personally, I like lower tension but most packaged sets have a B string with lower tension than the rest. So, I use a 40-100 set then add a .135 B string. I get them from Bass Strings Online.com of course :)
Click to expand...
40-100 with a 135? That seems like a big difference to me. What I might try doing is getting the heavy DR DDT and if that's not working for me, I'll buy a lighter gauge set and keep the 135 B. Then I can reuse the other 4 on a four string
 
#6
I have had more trouble finding a B string that matched sustain and tonal quality of the other four. They tended to be more dead, more thud and about 1/3 of the sustain.
I've been educated that this is due to higher mass of the strings I was trying. Pressure wound / half wound at or above .130 gauge have more mass than same gauge string flat or round that hasn't been 'treated'. So B strings below .130 tend to work better, but it still gets down to individual bass and string match -- D'adadario half wounds on a Yamaha worked fine. but don't work on G&L. Tapered strings sometimes helped and sometimes not.

I have the sense that rounds are about the easiest to find a suitable set, then flats, then the middle ground.

What I 'should have done' is buy individual B strings, rather than sets. Find a B string that suited my tension and sustain and tone and then ordered the matching 4 string set when I had a winner.
 
#7
wrench45us said:
I have had more trouble finding a B string that matched sustain and tonal quality of the other four. They tended to be more dead, more thud and about 1/3 of the sustain.
I've been educated that this is due to higher mass of the strings I was trying. Pressure wound / half wound at or above .130 gauge have more mass than same gauge string flat or round that hasn't been 'treated'. So B strings below .130 tend to work better, but it still gets down to individual bass and string match -- D'adadario half wounds on a Yamaha worked fine. but don't work on G&L. Tapered strings sometimes helped and sometimes not.

I have the sense that rounds are about the easiest to find a suitable set, then flats, then the middle ground.

What I 'should have done' is buy individual B strings, rather than sets. Find a B string that suited my tension and sustain and tone and then ordered the matching 4 string set when I had a winner.
Click to expand...

Ever play a Dingwall?
 
#8
Mike Brown said:
40-100 with a 135? That seems like a big difference to me.
Click to expand...

Well not really. Look at the D'Addario tension chart...just as a general guideline to get an idea...plus theirs is one of the few charts available.
Invalid Link Removed

Tension for a .100 = 36 lbs.
Tension for a .135 = 36 lbs.

So actually they are a perfect match. If you have a .105 E string, a .145 B string would be a match.

Having a .125 B is like having a .90 E...which is why I don't like pre packaged B strings for the most part. Super floppy.

Again, just general guidelines here and personal preference can change things too.
 
#9
Mike Brown said:
So I have an Ibanez SR495 and I have yet to put new strings on it since I bought it. Partly because I don't know where to start when it comes to 5 string sets. I've done a bunch of reading on it but here is where i'm conflicted.

I hear the thicker gauge strings have more tension right? So if one has a floppy B, then the strings are too thin? However, I don't like the b string too big. Is there no compromise? Could setup play a key role here?

I'm hoping to order some strings cause there are a bunch of neat sales on strings. Any suggestions?

(I know there are too many threads like this, but I read a bunch and still didn't find what I was looking for)

Thanks,
-Mike
Click to expand...
 
#11
It's weird. I learned to play the electric on a fiver and always search for a good sounding and playing B-string.
And yeah read lots and lots about it over the years and tried a lot. The most consistent IMO were Kalium/Circle Ks, really clear, tight, and still flexible, nice to play and sounded nice. Tried their 136 and 142.
But the nicest tone, and the only tone I got LOTS of compliments for, where a Fodera nickel 120 b-string, which sounded super low, dark, but very very clear and exact tone, some more growl than usual, not much 'too much thump cause it's a b-string-thing' and well sounded pretty darn awesome for 6 months or more.
Of course it was lower tension (not in the set particuliarly, I had the 40-120-set) but you totally got used to it! The most weird thing is I didn't like the feel and playability of the OTHER strings in comparison, so would have wanted maybe 45-105+a 120 b. But off course, theier 125 would be quite similiar I guess.
So for a really really nice tight but still warm, biiiig tone that's very distinctive, get some Foderas 45-125? And adjust your playing/move your hand. Very dynamic strings.
Lots of other strings I've tried in that thin gauge 40-120 or 45-125 have all been a disappointment for many reasons.
 

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