Musicman Stingray 5 low B issues

[Double Agent]

I have played a few SR5s and owned a Bongo5, and virutally all EBMM 5-string basses I've played have had a good low B. Here are a few helpful hints. Some people adjust their saddles to follow the natural radius of the fretboard, thus the A & D strings are higher than the E & G. I actually do this as well, but I raise the B string saddle up higher than the E string saddle, at least to the same height as the A string. Because the B string is so thick, it needs more room to vibrate in order to ring out clearly. Raising the saddle and lowering the pickup a bit on the bass side should help quite a bit.

Aside from that, try using a string with a hexagonal core, not a round core. Strings with a round core have less tension, generally speaking, which can result in a "floppy" feeling string. The hex core strings I've used have more string tension, so they have more focus and a stronger fundamental, especially on the lower strings. I prefer DR Lo-Riders, but any string with a hexagonal core should help the situation.

Hope this helps. Sometimes you get a lemon, but almost any bass can get a good low B with a little tweaking IME.

 

[73jbass]

All the SR5's,and the Sterling 5 I currently have great B strings. I've always used non tapered Elixir strings with a .130 or .135 dia.B string.No problems at all.

 

[bovinehost]

I have played a few SR5s and owned a Bongo5, and virutally all EBMM 5-string basses I've played have had a good low B.

I think the overwhelming majority (based on anecdotal rather than hard mathematical statistics, mind you) of us support this view. The SR5 is a mainstay in the Magical World of Fivers, and I doubt it would still be so ubiquitous if there were intrinsic problems with the B string.

Which is not to say that the SR5's tone and feel are just right for simply everyone. Clearly not the case.

But I think the OP is getting some good advice on how to test different things that can be affecting his B string performance.

 

[RexNFX79]

You've already bought the bass so I don't know how much help this will be but 35'' scale basses tend to have tighter B strings in my opinion. I play stingray 5's and use Ernie Ball strings. I don't think that the B's are killer but it's kind of just something I've lived with. I may try some of these suggestions too.

 

[R Upsomegrub]

I have 3 SR5's (2 fretted - '92 & an '88 - and a '97 fretless); the '92 has a great B string, the other 2 aren't quite as good but still better than just OK. I string them with D'Addarios, .130 for the B.

 

[amfmsb]

I have the same problem with mine, or at least a similar one. Its a 2001. i took it to a shop not too long ago and the guy couldn't resolve the problem with standard setup techniques. He suggested I use a tapper string. Haven't tried that yet.

Mine sounds like that fat mutted tone you get when you play a bass string way up on the neck like at the 15th fret area, opposite of a clear piano timbre- but this tone is generated at all fret locations on my B string.

I've been tweeking it for 7 years and still no fix. I think its just inherent to some basses.

 

[DistantTremor]

The cheap fix is to change the string and see what happens. At least it's a good starting point.

Perfekt, you're not the first one to comment on the avatar... but so far NO ONE knows where I got it from! Fifty points to the first person to figure it out...

Strong-Bad Email, www.homestarrunner.com.

 

[Joe Smithberger]

Strings and setup make all the difference.

I have had the best luck with hex core tapered B strings on mine. I like Ken Smith Compressors, LaBella Hard Rockin Steels, D'Addario Chrome flats (not tapered but hex core). Most people swear by Ernie Ball strings (.130 untapered B) but they die too quick for me. Personally I like the sound of flats, but I can deal with rounds if they are consistent in sound over a reasonable period of time.

 

[BillisCool]

I would be careful not to twist the string while winding it up. If you tighten them up while they're twisted, they'll be dead from the get go.

 

[murphy]

I use DR High beams on my SR5s'
or Ernie ball slinkys if I have to.
I found taperwound did not sound good on the B.
But I do pick my Stingrays based on the B sounding good to my ears.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Lot's of good advice already, but I just want to add that I felt my Stingray 5 had a great B string.

 

[fretlessman71]

DistantTremor FTW! Nice work, pal. "How ya doin', Texas?"

 

[Ebelow]

I like my B tone on my SR5, using DR strings, have you tried yet restring and using 125" for the low B not 130" I really like the deep end and with the 125 I am very satisfied, the 130 usually gives more uncontrolled, muddy vibration. Same good result I had with a Spector bass with similar string set.
Also I am using a very very low (close to illegal) string height from the bridge pickup!

 

[ricknote]

I agree with Ebelow,

Some basses can get away with a .130.
My Zon Sonus 5 for instance sounds amazing with
stock elixir strings with a .130 B.

My SR5 on the other hand really benefits from a .125.
The clarity and tone is more uniform and intelligible.
You may need to adjust to a lighter touch with a .125 but I've found that
the SR5 and those ceramic pickups love light strings!
It's phat, clear and agressive.

Every bass is different, you may have to spend a little dough
to stumble on the right set and gauge of string.

Good luck and don't give up.
SR5's are a classic American sound.
Nothing is going to be perfect...

RT

 

[slapmutepop]

35'' scale basses tend to have tighter B strings

Pretty much what RexNFX79 has said. the longer scale neck attributes to tighter tension on the lower (fatter) strings.

The same concept is used in baritone guitars (ie. guitars that have a longer gauge to accommodate the increasing number of guitarist who tune lower than standard E, especially in metal).

 

[Sleeq]

Perfekt, you're not the first one to comment on the avatar... but so far NO ONE knows where I got it from! Fifty points to the first person to figure it out...

Fallout I just completed Fallout 3 recently.

Wheres my points!

 

[Thornton Davis]

I bought a used Stingray 5, built in 2001. Body: ash, neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, matching headstock, 1 pickup.

Seeing that your SR5 was made in 2001, it probably does not have a compensating nut installed on it. I assume that it would have a standard plastic nut instead.

I'd suggest that you open up the slot of the B string in the nut. This can be easily done by taking a small round metal file and running it through the slot a few times opening it up.

Good luck.

TD

 

[murphy]

I like my B tone on my SR5, using DR strings, have you tried yet restring and using 125" for the low B not 130" I really like the deep end and with the 125 I am very satisfied, the 130 usually gives more uncontrolled, muddy vibration. Same good result I had with a Spector bass with similar string set.
Also I am using a very very low (close to illegal) string height from the bridge pickup!

+1, I only use DR125 B strings

 

[fretlessman71]

Fallout I just completed Fallout 3 recently.

Wheres my points!

Nope - and the question was already answered; scroll up.

 

[Sleeq]

Nope - and the question was already answered; scroll up.

I was referring to this avatar:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]