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Stiffest Stainless Rounds for Low B

SteC

SteC

Mar 20, 2012
505
388
New York
#1
I was reading some threads about stiffness but I couldn't find the exact answer I was looking for.

What's the stiffest stainless steel roundwound strings, gauges being equal? I want the tone of stainless steel roundwound.

I have a set of D'Addario prosteels .050-.135 on an Ibanez SR505. I have it tuned a half step down. What can I do for a stiffer low B (Bb) string?

Thanks!
 
#2
SteC said:
What's the stiffest stainless steel roundwound strings, gauges being equal? I want the tone of stainless steel roundwound.
Click to expand...

Are you saying you don't want to go any larger than 135? How large would you be willing to go?

DR DDT's are designed with thicker-than-average core wires for tuning stability when down-tuning, which also adds to the stiffness. The low B goes up to .145.

https://www.drstrings.com/ddt-bass
 
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#4
I use those D’Addario ProSteels in those sane gauges.

I have gigs that are regular tuned and one that the artist/boss requests that we all tune down 1/2 step on his gigs.

I’ve trained myself to play a little lighter on the tuned-down gigs. That and play a little closer to the bridge.

That works for me, but if you stay tuned down 1/2, you may find a better solution, as in a .140 B string. You’ll probably have to widen the nut slot to accommodate a string that size.
 
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#12
ProSteels, my favorite and most used string, are hex core and quite stiff for me. I tune down up to a whole step, and have had no issues with tension, tho I don't think anyone can expect the same feel of stiffness in ANY string tuning down vs the same string tuned to standard. To combat a little of this I raise my action off the board a bit and add a slight amount of relief. I use a 130 B string, and have forever. I use these strings on my fretless which has a Drop tuner on the B string, going to Low A flat a lot. It plays great. But, my main fretted is a stiffer feeling bass overall, as I string it thru body for this reason. The same string on two different bass guitars does not feel the exact same, regardless of tension or core wire. Basses strung thru body always feel a bit more stiff for me.

I've used the DDT strings from DR. They work well, just don't last as long as my ProSteels.
 
#14
We went down a half step(vocalist request). I have Daddario nickels 45-125 on that fiver and over a couple of days slacked the truss rod a half turn, no other adjustments needed.
 
#15
GHS strings are usually stiffer/have higher tension numbers than similar gauge competitors.

They make a 138 Super Steel Singles - Bass Super Steels

DR DDTs have a thicker core so they're built for low tunings.

I have a set of LaBella Rx steels 40-118 on a bass and that 118 is surprisingly stiff. No flop, all tone. It's tighter than a DR Lo-Rider steel 120 B. So their set with a 130 B could do you well.

Oddly enough, I don't find D'Addario ProSteels all that stiff at all. In fact, I find them more pliable than comparable steel strings. They have lower tension numbers than comparably gauged GHS SuperSteels. I LOVE ProSteels, though. They're terrific strings.
 
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#16
More tension in the string (what you''re looking for) means more mass in the string - the Physics is remarkably straightforward. That either means a bigger core wire (which helps a tiny bit) or a bigger diameter (which helps more, if you go far enough).

If you want the same tension as your E string, a 130 B matches a 95 E. My guess is your E string is a 105 or 110 - you should be looking at a 140 or 145 to get comparable tension.
 

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