...I have a 4-string VM strung with Fender flats in 45-60-80-105 and would like to equip the VMP5 with rounds, probably D'Addario XLs. I like balanced sets.
Should I go with
40-55-70-95 plus 130
or
45-60-80-107 plus 145
?
Will a 145 fit the nut slot?
When balanced tension sets first came out, I couldn't see the point. I'd never noticed any problems with conventional gauges. Then I got a Dingwall. After feeling the better balance of a fanned-fret bass, I started jonesing for that feel on my parallel-fretted basses.
IMO/IME, balanced-tension strings are a pretty good substitute for owning a fanned-fret bass. I used to string my 4-banger P-basses with .45 to 105's, just to get a little more girth on the G string. I don't find that necessary any more, as the G string in any BT set will sound more "of a piece" with the D string.
I tried both on my Oly White. Along with a good setup, BT's make the Vintage Modified Precision V sound and feel more expensive, imparting a bit of the feel I expect from boutique basses.
The 40-130's feel a little softer, as you'd expect. Compared to conventional sets, the lighter ones feel about like DR Sunbeams, while the heavier ones feel more like Nickel Low Riders.
I ended up keeping the lighter set, and putting the heavier ones on my buddy's sunburst, but that's just me. He digs in harder than I do, and preferred the higher tension. I liked the softer feel and singing sustain with the lighter ones.
Both were beautifully balanced, not just feel-wise, but tonally. With either set, if the pickup is properly adjusted, the bottom string has exactly the same amount of harmonic content as the A and E strings. So in that sense, they both have a great low B.
The .130 drops straight in, while you have to open up the nut slot a bit for the .145. IMO, this is irrelevant, as all four of the VMP5's I've worked on needed the slots lowered a little for the best feel and intonation.
If you've got the nut files out to fix the height anyway, widening the B slot a hair is no big deal. If the job is done properly, you can go back and forth between the .130 and .145 no problem. The .130 doesn't move around or misbehave in the .145-sized slot.
No worries about tension with either set. The overall tension is more even than OEM, and the truss rods on both basses were more than up to the task.
In your case, the tension will feel feel closer to the flats on your 4-banger if you decide to go with the heavier set. Only you can decide if that's what you're after.
