Such low tension on the low E / B strings

[TheArchitect]

That's what I do on my custom 5 strings bass, use EXL165-5.
I dislike most E strings thinner than .105, and most B strings thinner than .135, so this is one of the rare common sets that fits me.

I am not opposed to a 5 with a high C either although that might require a new nut

 

[HaphAsSard]

Who does make them with a thicker core? They don't exactly advertise that spec

Dunlop Heavy Core Bass (discontinued)
DR Drop Down Tuning

 

[Obese Chess]

I have found that the SIT Power Wounds are reasonably well balanced on my 5, but it's admittedly a huge adjustment going back and forth between my Dingwall and my 34" 5er no matter what strings I use. Someone else mentioned the Elixirs, which I have also felt are pretty well-balanced on that 34" 5.

 

[mattj1stc]

To the original question, I find that having a good degree of balance string to string is most important. As such, your idea for 45/60/80/110/145 is about right. You can move it up or down from there as to whether you prefer higher or lower overall tension. You might check out some custom string options like Kalium. I like them because you can specifically order balanced tension sets based on tuning, scale length, etc. In terms of playability, I've done some experiments where I went down an entire octave on a 4 string at 35-inch scale, which had a .220 E string. I found that to be playable, again because it was a balanced set.

 

[JazznFunk]

I'm of the opinion that I shouldn't have to play individual strings differently from the others within a set on the same bass. To that end, most 5 string sets are trash. Thicker cores help make up for perceived different tension, but B strings seldom get that treatment. If I'm a string manufacturer, bass is a small market segment and bass with a B string is a small subset of that. They just don't care enough to do anything about it. 35" scale is 6% more tension than 34", which is quite noticeable and helpful, but then most manufacturers are so fender-centric that many sets give you silk at the nut. It's not an easy problem.

Most manufacturers offer XL length options which get around the silk winding problem. Even better are the ones with no silk, like DR. But I get the frustration. Since I go through-body on my Laklands, I need XL length even for my 4-strings which are 34" scale. Only DR works for me right out of the box, aside from GHS extended scale and Lakland Custom Wounds (which are made by GHS, or were for quite a while). For me, 35" scale isn't just about feel, it's about sound too. A 35" scale 5-string bass is the only scale that, to me, gets the B-string feeling and sounding like it belongs on the bass with the rest of the strings, regardless of gauge. YMMV.

 

[Saetia]

This is what I use for a 34” 4 string in drop B

If I were tuning a 5 string 34” scale to B standard I’d choose this even though they don’t match up as nicely.

Here is what I use for drop G on my 35” scale Modulus.

I will say I really liked my P-bass set up with a standard .125 slinky set in B / drop B. Just sounded mean. I use .100 or .105 sets for standard depending on the bass.

I will say I really enjoy the equal tension sets. Makes the low feel like the rest of the strings.

 

[ravlin]

Most manufacturers offer XL length options which get around the silk winding problem. Even better are the ones with no silk, like DR. But I get the frustration. Since I go through-body on my Laklands, I need XL length even for my 4-strings which are 34" scale. Only DR works for me right out of the box, aside from GHS extended scale and Lakland Custom Wounds (which are made by GHS, or were for quite a while). For me, 35" scale isn't just about feel, it's about sound too. A 35" scale 5-string bass is the only scale that, to me, gets the B-string feeling and sounding like it belongs on the bass with the rest of the strings, regardless of gauge. YMMV.

100% agree about sound. It's incredible the difference an inch makes. I'm also a GHS/DR player for the same reasons.

 

[Dust2Dust]

45 / 65 / 80 / 100 / 130

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-wound-electric-bass-strings-045-130-5-string

They sound great , have that piano sound, stiff B

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you haven't, try a multi scale bass. You get feel and tone with the tradeoff being that you need to adapt to a different fretboard. It's not difficult at all. I got used to it in a few minutes and mastered, well, as much as I can call it "mastered" in a few days. I don't think I'd want to play multi scale fretless though.

 

[Yahboy]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-wound-electric-bass-strings-045-130-5-string

They sound great , have that piano sound, stiff B

Sadly that Slinky piano tone only last within 1-3 shows,

 

[Dust2Dust]

Sadly that Slinky piano tone only last within 1-3 shows,

Dammit, man

 

[Tim Stahlmann]

I have adapted like most of us to the string packs we are presented to choose from. As we know, the tension on most sets for the low E and especially B are comically out of balance with the rest of the set. The low E is manageable, the low B takes some work to adapt to. After all this time, why have mfg's not adopted something more in line?

45 / 65 / 80 / 100 / 130
or
45 / 65 / 85/ / 105 / 135 - This is at least available from D'Addario XL165-5

while this set is +/- 2 lbs of tension difference across the strings and is still around 200lbs total
45/60/80/110/145

I am about due for strings on the 5'er. Its time for a change. Time to bump up gauge!

Hey mate, What you need is Progressive Tension Strings. This is not perfect but better than most on the market

 

[Tim Stahlmann]

Stringjoy Guitar String Tension Calculator

The Stringjoy Guitar String Tension Calculator is the easiest and best tool to build the perfect balanced tension set of strings for your guitar or bass.

tension.stringjoy.com

 

[logdrum]

I'm more concerned about playability at this point

Thinner E and B are more playable for me. I do raise the action of the strings more than most of the active TB community . My favorite gigging bass fivers are 35's but I also have a couple 34 scales. Have one 36. But I would adjust with whatever middle of the road gauges I can get at GC late Saturday afternoon and do a gig 30 minutes later on a pedestrian 5 string bass or my 2 34's.

But some folks here like micguy follow a formula. He loves 135 B's and a sub 100 E,. I forgot the math of the ratio he uses.

Kalium and StringJoy do custom sets

 

[MrBassman22]

Isn't the number of wraps the string has at certain thickness one of the reasons for looser B strings?
I have 135 low B it has three wraps and it sounds considerably duller than my 105 E string (all that at 35 inch scale length).
So while the tension is alright, next time I'll get 125 or 130, I guess.

Nope, it is mainly the relation between fundamentals en harmonics that makes a string sound duller/brighter. A shorter string has less harmonics en sounds duller. Like I said, try a multiscale (a big one with a 37" B) and notice the brighter B.

 

[W_R]

I am going to have to disagree with you. What setup change do you propose that will make the B string less floppy?

With all due respect for your viewpoint: which part do you disagree with? Certainly, it’s gauge *and* setup together (not solely setup). I’m with you per your original statement about gauges, and I wonder why sets with thicker low strings aren’t the norm.

In general, slightly higher action at the bridge and maybe a small adjustment in neck relief with thinner strings.