Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[cusar5]

Question for Doom\Stoner players since we live in a down tuned world.
I recently picked up a Dunable R2. It has the typical 35" scale and a pair of Baphomet pickups that can be split. I am trying to find the right string balance for a BEAD tuning and am having trouble with the B string (surprise surprise.)
Using a set of regular 125 105 85 60 DR Hi Beams the EAD sound pretty good. Nice amount of clarity and meat. Maybe a little tight, but workable. The 125 B just isn't as clear as I would like it to be. The EAD have a clear tone to the articulation that the B doesn't have. I know the obvious answer should be to use a 130 or 135. Based on most tension graphs, a 135 would be the right way to go. I've always been a little concerned with thicker strings because while they add tension, which should help their clarity, the additional mass means they require more power to move, and won't necessarily sound sharper because there is that much more string.
There also aren't a lot of SS .135 round core strings on the market for me to try this with.

Thoughts on how I can find a B string for this bass that is clear and has a little grind on the attack?

DRs are my favorite strings, but I wasn't a big fan of Hi Beams. Pure Blues and Nickel Lo Riders (my usual choice) both have a better B string IME. I usually do 125 105 80 60 40 for B standard.

 

[NNNN]

A video of mine?

Yeah I think it's yours. A volt thrower demo

 

[YawningJorin]

Yeah I think it's yours. A volt thrower demo

ugh now I wanna listen to Conan

I mean I always wanna listen to Conan, but still

 

[socialleper]

ugh now I wanna listen to Conan

I mean I always wanna listen to Conan, but still

Listen to Bolt Thrower instead.

 

[socialleper]

Yeah I think it's yours. A volt thrower demo

Yep that is me. Glad you enjoyed it. Still have that pedal.

 

[cusar5]

I forgot how much this Middian album rules. Different name and rhythm section, but it's pretty much another YOB record:

 

[kleinenenten]

Listen to Bolt Thrower instead.

If I must... I never need another reason for more Bolt Thrower!

 

[kleinenenten]

that's a cello, not a viola

Beat me to it.

 

[cornfarmer]

There's a guy that used to be around here that had a Dunable...shame he seems to be MIA because I bet he could give you some good advice.

Is this....me? I still have a Thunderclapper but it's a total one-off, one pickup deal from back when they were a smaller operation. 35” but I don't run BEAD.

String clarity makes me think of a couple of things - is the string seated solidly in the nut slot and bridge saddle, a thicker B might need either of those widened so it's seated right. Or raise the pickup closer to the string.

I got nothin'....been trying to recreate a bass that was never made but ran into some snags. Anybody want a cheap short scale, look up my post in the classifieds.

 

[lucas303]

Is this....me? I still have a Thunderclapper but it's a total one-off, one pickup deal from back when they were a smaller operation. 35” but I don't run BEAD.

String clarity makes me think of a couple of things - is the string seated solidly in the nut slot and bridge saddle, a thicker B might need either of those widened so it's seated right. Or raise the pickup closer to the string.

I got nothin'....been trying to recreate a bass that was never made but ran into some snags. Anybody want a cheap short scale, look up my post in the classifieds.

Dude I was thinking of had a Powerslave avatar. A Colorado guy...the username completely escapes me though.

 

[socialleper]

Dude I was thinking of had a Powerslave avatar. A Colorado guy...the username completely escapes me though.

Hardtop.

He was a touring musician and I think just got burned out on music.

 

[lucas303]

Hardtop.

He was a touring musician and I think just got burned out on music.

That's the one.

 

[Kaa]

Wew, peep this rig that someone is selling locally

View attachment 4690800

That brings the chub. Talk about a dream rig.

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

Question for Doom\Stoner players since we live in a down tuned world.
I recently picked up a Dunable R2. It has the typical 35" scale and a pair of Baphomet pickups that can be split. I am trying to find the right string balance for a BEAD tuning and am having trouble with the B string (surprise surprise.)
Using a set of regular 125 105 85 60 DR Hi Beams the EAD sound pretty good. Nice amount of clarity and meat. Maybe a little tight, but workable. The 125 B just isn't as clear as I would like it to be. The EAD have a clear tone to the articulation that the B doesn't have. I know the obvious answer should be to use a 130 or 135. Based on most tension graphs, a 135 would be the right way to go. I've always been a little concerned with thicker strings because while they add tension, which should help their clarity, the additional mass means they require more power to move, and won't necessarily sound sharper because there is that much more string.
There also aren't a lot of SS .135 round core strings on the market for me to try this with.

Thoughts on how I can find a B string for this bass that is clear and has a little grind on the attack?

I use the DR Drop Down Tuning 135 5 string set and they're excellent. Very Clear B string in my opinion though I usually have it tuned to C.

 

[socialleper]

I use the DR Drop Down Tuning 135 5 string set and they're excellent. Very Clear B string in my opinion though I usually have it tuned to C.

Whoa! A 135 tuned to C? That seems like it would be very stiff.

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

Whoa! A 135 tuned to C? That seems like it would be very stiff.

Not too stiff at all! This was my initial concern as well but only a half step sharper than usual hasn't caused me any trouble. I do have a preference for stiffer strings though since I like the lowest action possible. Still plenty loose enough to get the clank when I want it. I"ll tune it down to BEAD often and have started trying to go lower recently and they're still good. Although clarity starts to get lost on the big string the lower you go if I remember correctly.

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

I don't know much about Stoner/Doom (mostly into Thrash/Death/Punk), but I know I like the cut of this threads jib.

Gonna learn me some new genres.

Welcome aboard! I agree with the others that sludge would be a good entry point given your influences. Just one question... What is a cut of a jib?

 

[lucas303]

Welcome aboard! I agree with the others that sludge would be a good entry point given your influences. Just one question... What is a cut of a jib?

In the literal sense I think it has to do with sailboats. In the parlance of our times, though, it means you like the way someone does something..."I like the cut of your jib."

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

In the literal sense I think it has to do with sailboats. In the parlance of our times, though, it means you like the way someone does something..."I like the cut of your jib."

Noted, probably should've known that given my avatar is a sailor lol

 

[kleinenenten]

Not too stiff at all! This was my initial concern as well but only a half step sharper than usual hasn't caused me any trouble. I do have a preference for stiffer strings though since I like the lowest action possible. Still plenty loose enough to get the clank when I want it. I"ll tune it down to BEAD often and have started trying to go lower recently and they're still good. Although clarity starts to get lost on the big string the lower you go if I remember correctly.

I debated tuning my 5 string up once to make a song work easier with a guitarist who tuned his 6 string guitar to C. I couldn't imagine playing a 4 string tuned to C, so I figured I could probably do it easier on my 5 string and keep the extra fingering options etc. Good to know it's working if I ever need to do that.