Double Bass What Strings for 5 String UB?

[rockyjo]

Hello,

For pizz for bluegrass, folk, and 1920s-'40s jazz:

Particularly for 5 string players and luthiers, what strings would you consider, and what strings would you avoid (because they are too much tension for a 5 string)?

Thank you.

Rockyjo

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If the bass is built for five strings and is not an old one (from the gut only period) you could use any strings you want.
If it is an older one or one built for four strings, get strings with less tension. THey are often named Light or Weich (from the german word for soft), but tere are some brands like SuperSensitive (motly steel core) or Innovation (synthetic core) that generally make lower tension strings. Gut in a light to medium gauge would fit your needs as well as lower tension synthetic strings and maybe light tension steel strings like Solo string sets tuned down to orchestra tuning.
You may also took in aacount the sound you like to hear yourself playing as well as the acoustic sound going to the public as well as the amplified sound which generally differs a lot from the acoustic sound.
I would say first place gut (but unstable in tuning and expensive) then synthetic core then soft (probably darker) steel strings. But remember that there were no steel strings in the 40s.
Also look which tuning you would like to use for a 5-stringer, the low B orchestra tuning or the high C solo tuning. I have a high C solo tuning 5 string and dislike steel strings for high C (I tried a lot of different steel high Cs) because they are either very thin or have a lot of tension. Just in case you want to go this way. The high C is much more of a problem to choose than a low B. But other bassists might choose other strings than me.