NBD Mike Lull V5 and string question.

It is 35” scale so regular bass strings should work just fine. I have owned several 35” basses and strings were never an issue.

 

Sounds like he wants to string the B through the body though. Personally I always just strung my Lull B at the bridge like all the other strings.

 

I have a 35-inch 5-string and I think strings can be a problem depending on the headstock.

With this being 34, use whatever you want.

Nice bass. I like the idea of a 5-string Lull.

 

This is a subject of great contention with numerous supporters on either side of the fence.

 

I see.

 

I've never found it to make a lick of difference in the tone in basses I've owned that have them. Just string it thru the bridge, that's my vote, too.

Regarding #1, yes, I have seen steel strings be harder on frets, but a lot depends on your touch. Personally, I don't chance it because I don't like new strings or paying for fret dressings. So nickels do me fine.

 

I don’t think it will affect the tone to any noticeable extent. I hope you end up loving your Lull as much as I do mine.

 

I run my strings through the body. For prosteels I buy super long (instead of long scale). For DR strings I believe all their strings are long enough to run your B through the body.

 

Congrats on the Lull!

This is exactly what I do. On my 5-string 35” Lulls, I order the 4-string regular long scale set of D’addario EXL170s and order separately the extra-long nickel .130 string for the B string so it will run through the body. I order strings from Fret Nation. He makes this process very easy.

Can’t say about the stainless strings and the frets. I don’t care for stainless strings.

As for whether the tone is affected whether strung through the body or top-loaded, I don’t give a damn about the debate. I simply wanna run the B string through the body. The rocket scientists can debate this without my help.

The end…

 

The first time I tried the string through option was on my US Lakland 55-94. I found it did nothing to the sound or feel of the strings. Maybe I just wasn't tuned in to the differences, but I've not used string through since.

A Mike Lull Jazz bass is a truly great piece of craftsmanship. I owned an M5V for a short period of time and it's the only bass I regret selling.

 

If you bought it used from a private seller why not just ask them if they used a stock 5 string set or 4 set + SL B string? I order from Fret Nation also. 4 string set + 130SL for my 5ers. Easy Peasy.

 

Very sweet bass! I use D’adderio and Sadowsky 5 string sets on my Lulls and just order the XLs.

 

Congrats on the Lull. Personally, I currently have 3 in the stable. All of them came with D"Addarrios. Use whatever string you like best. I have used DR Pure Blues, Sunbeams, but also SIT Power Wounds and Silencers. I use only Nickels because I find Stainless Steel is far harder on my fingers than the frets. Also, I generally use 45-130. Enjoy your bass!

 

I use ProSteels on all my basses. My main I've used steel strings for 11 years solid. And, I play a whole heckuvva lot. My frets are fine. I've used steels on all my basses since very young. All my heroes used em. And, I was a broke kid. Not only did steel strings sound and feel better to me, but they lasted. I had to buy strings less often. Steel strings also age for me in a balanced way. With nickels, I can hear which strings I use more as they age. B, E and A strings age faster. Steels sound better to me older, as well. But I have buddies that say the same bout their beloved nickels. Maybe body chemistry is also a factor. I am not certain.

D'addario makes a Long Scale string, and, a SUPER long scale string, for longer scale bass guitars or thru body stringing. My main is a Fender American Deluxe Jazz 5. It is 34" scale. D'Addario long scale strings fit perfectly for me when stringing thru the body. On a 35 scale, they'd be too short. That's where the Super Longs take over.

I prefer thru body stringing. But not for tone. I do it for response and feel. I have strung my bass up both ways on many occasions with many different string types. For me, there is a very discernable difference in the way my bass reacts to my playing when stringing thru body. I like that difference, so I continue. But tastes are incredibly diverse. And each player should try both ways. And decide for themselves.

That Lull is a killer! I'm sure, in time, you'll find what you prefer to use with it. And there's always the fact that I've never heard a Lull sound bad. No matter the scale, string or method of stringing. You simply can't go wrong with that bass.

 

I’m really impressed that you are following the science and let her acclimate for the full 7.3 minutes!