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Low B clarity

gimmeagig

gimmeagig

Feb 25, 2004
2,891
1,197
Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
#1
Hi,
I have a Moon 5 string Jazz Bass and I've been using DR Hi Beams with a 125 B string.
The B string doesn't quite blend with the sound of the E string. It has a darker less twangy sound.
My question is, if I want more clarity should I try a 120 or should I go the other way and try a 130?
I'm not after massive bottom I just want the tone of the notes on my B string to be more similar to the sound of the E string.
 
#2
So what gauge is your E-string? I've always got more clarity going down in size, and the clearest I've had was a Fodera nickel 120 B-string.
But then again, 135 can be plenty clear too, depending on lots of factors. and a 145... Do you want a not so dark, twangy sound or just more clarity in general?
A larger string would thump more IMO, but it all depends on the bass, setup and so on...
 
#3
I have a 105 E string, I like the Marcus Miller type of sound, so Twangy and clear is what I'm after.All of my basses are active action medium so that i don't get buzzes as soon as I did in a bit. I also have an Atelier Z 5 string bass and on that one the 125 low B sounds just fine. The Moon has the 60s pickup spacing, which I've grown to like in the last year but like I said the B is full sounding but is lacking overtones and it is dark sounding compared to the other strings ( even with a new set)
 
#4
I had a similar problem on one my basses. There's a bunch of stuff that comes into play here, from set up to how you play, but I tried a bunch of different guages and it didn't do a thing to help. What worked for me is a tapered B. Totally fixed it. For others a tapered B is a nightmare, but if you try different guages etc. and nothing is working, don't give up until you try a tapered B. Some strings sets (like Sadowsky Blue Labels) come with one.
 
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#7
gimmeagig said:
Does DR make such a string?
Click to expand...

yes.

however, you have to figure out where your B string is "different" from the others. if it sounds too floppy and with too much bass frequencies, less defined in tone, try tighter strings, like a 130 or even 135.

if your sound is defined but too poor on the hi-mid and high frequencies (wich means that is too smooth/mellow), try smaller strings like 120.
 
#10
Ok, problem solved .I got a 120 DR Hi Beam B string for my Moon bass and it's a huge difference. That bass is now perfect. I ordered two strings, so I'll put the other one on my Atelier Z bass just to see . It sounds good right now but it might even be better with the 120.
I have another 5 String jazz which has a 35" scale and it really has a great blend on the low B using the 125" I'll leave that one alone.
BTW Bassstingsonline.com ....great company.Good prices fast shipping
 
#13
So, there are lots of new roundwounds coming out, MM switching to Dunlop, DR Pure Blues, etc., - is there any general consensus yet on the usual "what's currently the least floppy B string" debate? I did just restring one 6er with closeout MM Fat Beams with a .130 B, really helped quite a bit, but no idea how they compare to the other contenders, and I know there are bigger gauges out there. Opinions?
 
#15
smeet said:
I'm really liking the Cobalts B string. Very tight and focused. The DR DDTs are also good as I remember.
In general, I like thicker B strings, the Circle K (or Kalium or whatever they are called) are really good with a 136 or 145 B.
Click to expand...
Yes, the GHS Super Steels .138 B string, before it was discontinued, was about the best B string I ever used.
 
#16
I'm disappointed that the largest B in the Dunlop Super Brights is apparently just .125. Edit: should have looked closer, that's just the default sets, bso has larger. ;)
I've used Circle Ks before, I have a set on my Quake, I believe.
 
Last edited:
#18
If you haven't tried them, the DDT's are very very different from other DR strings. Weirdly even response across the instrument, and since they were made for downtuning, at standard tuning the low B is really stable. I love the tone of FatBeams, but the low B had to be babied to sound good.
 
#19
smeet said:
If you haven't tried them, the DDT's are very very different from other DR strings. Weirdly even response across the instrument, and since they were made for downtuning, at standard tuning the low B is really stable. I love the tone of FatBeams, but the low B had to be babied to sound good.
Click to expand...
Definitely giving them a try, in my cart now. :) Just trying to figure out what else. Man, I've been racking up some points with those guys the last few months! :D
 

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