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What 5 stringer for B flat?

M

Mogalen

Mar 5, 2013
105
4
#1
So, I downtune to Bb with my metal band, and the 5 stringer I have now just doesn't cut it. I need a bass that can handle Bb and still sound nice and punchy. Might need to drop to A sometimes as well. The cheaper the better, obviously. So hit me fellas.
 
#5
SoVeryTired said:
What bass are you using at the moment? And what specifically isn't working for you?
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This one:
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What isn't working for me is the fact that I can't get clean notes with decent action. The neck is "slow", if my hand gets a little sweaty whilst playing it get "stuck". The bridge is kind of bad as well, can't properly intonate it. That's the main faults with it, it does the job it's supposed to do to a certain extent, but I feel that I could do better with a more proper bass. I'd like either a onboard preamp with bass, mid and treble, or I don't want a preamp at all.

I've been thinking about a Sandberg Basic 5, 35". But that's about it...
 
#6
Mogalen said:
So, I downtune to Bb with my metal band, and the 5 stringer I have now just doesn't cut it. I need a bass that can handle Bb and still sound nice and punchy. Might need to drop to A sometimes as well. The cheaper the better, obviously. So hit me fellas.
Click to expand...

Absolutely any bass at all will do if the set up is ok and the strings are.
 
#8
fender jazz 5, tuned to drop A, Dr high-beams, medium light gauge, roll off your tone knob, i have super low action it sounds great.
know your instrument and a good setup is head and shoulders above all the "you need heavier strings, 35 scale, this bass or that bass advice"
 
#11
Our band tunes down a half step and I prefer 35" scale basses, like Laklands or Elricks, that allow me to use light gauge strings and still have the tension I want. A 37" Dingwall will sound the best if you are willing to play the longer scale.
 
#12
cnltb said:
Absolutely any bass at all will do if the set up is ok and the strings are.
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Not sure I agree. I have played some well set up basses and the B string wasn't very good at all. It can be a bit of trial and error to get a B that is nice and tight.

I have a few and one is awesome and the other, not so much. There is a big price difference though.

If you can afford it, Roscoes have an awesome sound, lovely basses and not too expensive compared to some
 
#14
Regardless of setup, the average B string in a packaged set is 'floppier' than the rest. Take something like Daddario ProSteels (one of the few manufacturers that publish their tension). Their 45-130 set varies from a tension of 47.12lbs on the D string down to 31.39lbs on the B.

I think the string itself is the biggest factor in how floppy it feels. That's why I'd either buy balanced tension or make my own.
 
#15
SoVeryTired said:
Regardless of setup, the average B string in a packaged set is 'floppier' than the rest. Take something like Daddario ProSteels (one of the few manufacturers that publish their tension). Their 45-130 set varies from a tension of 47.12lbs on the D string down to 31.39lbs on the B.

I think the string itself is the biggest factor in how floppy it feels. That's why I'd either buy balanced tension or make my own.
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I use Newtonestrings exclusively and have not has the problem cited in your post with those.
They were more than happy to provide me with the tension info when asked.:)
 
#18
Okay, I understand your point. If strings don't work you for, maybe that extra inch for the scale length could do to trick.

May I ask you, what is your budget? I see you where thinking about Sandberg, they are in the 1200 - 2200 bucks range, though your budget could be somewhere around 1500.

I would like to suggest the Ibanez BTB Premium 1405e. This bass guitar has a 35 inch scale length and a neck through design. Very good for tuning down. I think you could get some mighty lows with that bass if you keep your .140 Low B string and then tune it to Bb :) Check it out!!

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#19
cnltb said:
Usually .46,.66,.86,.106,.126.

I sometimes ask them to make me 'anything', as long as they are still long enough ( my 5 is 36" and strung through the body), steel, exposed core wound on round wire.
To just see how they might work... :)
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Ah, 36"! The .126 would have less tension than the other strings but at that scale length I'd doubt it wold ever be floppy!

I've had better results with .136 on my 34" than I used to have with .125 or .130 on my old 35".

If money was no object, I'd have a Dingwall as well. That 37" is really something.
 
#20
SoVeryTired said:
Ah, 36"! The .126 would have less tension than the other strings but at that scale length I'd doubt it wold ever be floppy!

I've had better results with .136 on my 34" than I used to have with .125 or .130 on my old 35".

If money was no object, I'd have a Dingwall as well. That 37" is really something.
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There is more to tension than just quoting a gauge.
The relationship between core and outer wrappings is one factor.

There really is more to it.
 

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