So I saw a thread on "Floppy B strings".....

[Bryan R. Tyler]

A poorly built 35" bass will have a weak B string; a well built 34" bass will have a good B string. Longer scale length is not a guarantee of a good B string, but it does make it more likely to be good.

Someone here on TB once did the math behind it (can't recall who), and the outcome was, when imagining two identical basses with no differences whatsoever (which could never happen ), that the 35" would only provide about 3% more tension than the 34". Getting a .135 B string will do more for you. The only thing is that 35" has become the standard for many high-end bass companies (and several low to mid-priced basses as well), so whether you think it's necessary or not, you sometimes have to deal with it in order to get the bass you want.

 

[Vic]

Getting a .135 B string will do more for you.

Depends on the brand. I've read where most brands use the same core size for both 125's and 135's, so the diff would be minimal, but I haven't hit the vendors directly yet. I might tho just outa' curiosity to verify. In particular, I'm interested in DR initially.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

DR B strings have always seemed great to me in the varieties I've used (Sunbeams and Hi-Beams, I believe), in smaller gauges than .135 as well. Let us know what you find out.