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The Mike Lull Club Part 4

#3,821
What strings are you guys using for Lull 5-strings? Mine came with Pro-Steels but the B string is Super Long Scale because of the string thru body. I have typically used EXL 170 long-scale nickel strings. But the taper on the B doesn't make it past the nut.

Or do I just buy super long scale for the whole bass and deal with it?

Curious to get your thoughts guys. Thanks!
 
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#3,823
bdgotoh said:
That bridge can be top loaded for the B string like the other 4, I used long scale EXL strings and top loaded all 5 strings.
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Yeah, I saw that and know it's an option. But I want to utilize the string-through B. Fortunately, I was able to find the D'Addario EXL 170 B string as a single string in SL scale so I think we're good.
 
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#3,824
tb-player said:
Yeah, I saw that and know it's an option. But I want to utilize the string-through B. Fortunately, I was able to find the D'Addario EXL 170 B string as a single string in SL scale so I think we're good.
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Yeah, I did that when I had my M5V's- bought some single d'addario SL tapered B's and SL 4 string sets. Don't know if it makes a difference, but it doesn't hurt, so why not?

Also, you can get super long Sadowsky strings with a tapered B as well, fyi.
 
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#3,825
tb-player said:
What strings are you guys using for Lull 5-strings? Mine came with Pro-Steels but the B string is Super Long Scale because of the string thru body. I have typically used EXL 170 long-scale nickel strings. But the taper on the B doesn't make it past the nut.

Or do I just buy super long scale for the whole bass and deal with it?

Curious to get your thoughts guys. Thanks!
Click to expand...

On both my M5V and my P5, I use the Pro Steel regular long-scale 4-string set (50, 70, 85, 105) and separately order the 135 Super Long Scale single string. I’ve ordered a dozen of the single .135 Super Long strings, so I’m good for a while. I do believe you can also get the B string of the EXL170 set can be ordered separately as a super-long-scale single. Then just get the EXL170 5-string set.

“There’s no difference in the tone between top-load and thru-body stringing”. Yeah, yeah, whatever, I know that, I don’t even argue it either way. I bloody well want to string the B string through the body, The End.

Fret Nation, Just Strings, and the TalkBass Store have gotten me the Pro Steel Super Long single strings.
 
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#3,827
Geri O said:
“There’s no difference in the tone between top-load and thru-body stringing”. Yeah, yeah, whatever, I know that, I don’t even argue it either way. I bloody well want to string the B string through the body, The End.
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Yep. It the guys in the shop went to all that trouble to drill an extra hole for the B, I’m dang-well gonna use it!! :thumbsup:
 
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#3,829
tb-player said:
What strings are you guys using for Lull 5-strings? Mine came with Pro-Steels but the B string is Super Long Scale because of the string thru body. I have typically used EXL 170 long-scale nickel strings. But the taper on the B doesn't make it past the nut.

Or do I just buy super long scale for the whole bass and deal with it?

Curious to get your thoughts guys. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Measure from the ball end to the center of the E-string tuner.
The SL strings have a 38" wrap length.
If the E tapers down before the tuner (38" is short of the tuner), you should have no problem just ordering a SL set, rather than having to order a 4 plus a single B.
 
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#3,832
BadBassDrummer said:
I am considering adding a drop tuner to one (or more) of my basses. Should I just have one dedicated to drop D tuning or is a d-tuner the way to go?
Click to expand...

I am a big fan of the Hipshot Xtender, and recently had one installed on my new MV4.
 
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#3,834
BadBassDrummer said:
I am considering adding a drop tuner to one (or more) of my basses. Should I just have one dedicated to drop D tuning or is a d-tuner the way to go?
Click to expand...


Dave W said:
I use a drop tuner on most of my 4 string basses. Once they're set up correctly they work great!
Click to expand...

This. ⬆️

I have Hipshot D extenders on all my Lull’s. They become supersonic weapons as well very versatile instruments for any gig.
 
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#3,837
BadBassDrummer said:
I am considering adding a drop tuner to one (or more) of my basses. Should I just have one dedicated to drop D tuning or is a d-tuner the way to go?
Click to expand...

I'm using the Hipshot D-Tuner on all my 5-string basses. Yes, low A, ya'll. It's not something I use a whole lot, but it's a cool effect to use when you can accent the end of a tune in A or a place in a tune that needs a big accent like that. Can't hit it too hard or it will rattle a little, but I'm used to it.

It works well on my Lulls as well as my 5-string Stingray. I can't see the need on my fretless bass....
 
#3,838
tombowlus said:
I know they like to use SS frets on the roasted maple necks (which are a little more brittle, supposedly, and might not hold up to as many refrets).
Click to expand...

I thought I remembered the specs stating that nickel frets being standard issue with the stainless steel frets being an option. I could certainly be mistaken on that, though.
 
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#3,840
I accidentally put a small ding in the side of my P4’s fretboard a few weeks back. My heart sunk when it happened. I got it back from my local tech yesterday after a repair job, and it turned out fantastic. He used the CA glue trick. Here are before and after photos:
0F891551-3E26-486E-8986-3E8C0FC95DA3.jpeg
1634A0E2-0BC9-4CBA-9A64-59CEDB9E3BDA.jpeg


On another note, Lull’s shop told me that my new M5V build is getting close to being done. It’s at the finishing shop now! One rare component of that bass will be a B-style 5-string bridge. They do a lot of B-styles on 4 strings, but not 5’s. I’m really looking forward to that bass!
 
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