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Low B string adjustments

Drang22

Drang22

Nov 16, 2017
174
404
Denver, Colorado
#1
I'm trying to help a friend of mine who has a Fender MIM 5 string jazz bass. The low B string on this thing just sounds like crap, to the point of really being un-usable (in my opinion). I'm not a 5 string guy, so I don't really have any good advice to offer him. Are there adjustments that can be made to improve the sound of this string? Are there certain string choices that would make a difference? (flat wound preferred).
 
#2
There's a lot of factors that could be at play. Pick up height, string type, the way the strings are installed, various aspects of the nut or bridge, etc. Is it muddy? Quiet? Buzzing? Floppy?
 
#3
Bass Man Dan said:
There's a lot of factors that could be at play. Pick up height, string type, the way the strings are installed, various aspects of the nut or bridge, etc. Is it muddy? Quiet? Buzzing? Floppy?
Click to expand...

I'd say the tone is muddy and just kind of un-defined, especially in the open and low positions. The string does seem kind of floppy or maybe lacking in string tension, but I don't know if that is just a inherent condition with the low b...
 
#7
FWIW, on my Sire 5-string jazz, a Dunlop B sounded like crap, and a GHS sounded much better. Both were nickel e rounds but I don't currently recall the specific types. I can look up the specific types if you want, but my point is that string-type is definitely something to consider and experiment with.
 
#9
Well if he has a 5 string and it sounds like he does, first of all like gbass6 said try round wound strings, and it depends on what kind of baas he has. Nothing personal but cheap 5 string basses are just that cheap. It also depends on what scale length the bass is. Your best sounding 5 string basses normally are 35 inch or longer which makes a BIG difference with a B string. So again if he has a decent bass try round wounds and he can also try replacing the bone or plastic nut with a brass nut of course having that installed by a professional at 60 to 100 bucks. And have the bass set up as well. But as I said before if it is a cheap bass and it short scale don't waste your money as there is really no help for it. Just my opinion !!!
 
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#10
I had a 2000 MIM Jazz 5-string that I would struggle with every great once and a while to make the B string sound solid (Those are 34" basses and while not premier basses, not cheap, either).

Once I made sure there were no twist in the B string, the witness points at the bridge and the nut were set, and the winding was all the way down to the base of the tuning post (making for a good angle across the nut), the B string would sound pretty good. It is my belief that just a little neck relief was helpful, but I could be dreaming on that one. And again, not swearing to this, but an ever-so-slightly higher-than-usual action could help, too. And I use Ernie Ball Power Slinkies with a .135-gauge B string. That just happens to be what I'm used to playing.

I don't have that bass anymore, but I do have a 35" Mike Lull M5V and a 34" MM Stingray SR5. Following the same practices above, the B strings on both basses sound great to me. I even have a Hipshot Drop-tuner on both basses. The Low A works really well on the Mike Lull, and decently enough on the SR5, if I don't hit the string too hard.

This is an exercise in seeing what works for you and your bass. You'll see all kinds of ideas and solutions that people rightly swear by, but may not be the ticket for you. It won't be for a lack of ideas...
 
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#11
FWIW, all but one of my basses are 5s. In almost every case, pickup height was the biggest culprit in clarity issues as well as intonation. Those fat B strings carry a lot of mass and magnetic influence is real. I always wind up with a lower pickup height than spec, but usually without loss of punch and much better clarity. Just my experiences.
 
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#13
For a clearer B-string, I prefer stiffer hex-core strings, round wounds. Some say that a smaller .120 string will be clearer than the “standard” .130’s; I like the higher tension of the .130. And as has been said, installing the strings correctly is especially critical with the B.

That said, the B will always be muddier than the E — just like the E is less distinct than the A... and the A the D, and the D the G. It’s just the physics of a larger string (or lower tension) needed to get the lower note.
 
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#14
Great comments everyone all these rules apply when it comes to strings. A 125 B string on a 34 inch scale bass or 130 on a 35 inch scale it does make a big difference with your tone / sound and also installing the strings correctly a absolute must.
 

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