What's your B like?

[syndrome666]

Hi all, just thought I'd start a post about B tuned basses, mainly 5 stringers (BEAD 4 strings welcome, as well as 6+ stringers). Majority of you who use the "low" B string know the major issue of the annoying "floppyness" that is caused due to poor construction or cheap materials (not sure on that one).
So what I'd like to do is make up a list for everyone to go by, when needing info on how the B on a certain bass model feels like. I'd say an average range of .125 to .135 is an acceptable B to go by altough I'd stick closer to .130 and .135 as they are more common and usually will sit tighter at the B pitch than a .125.
List the Bass model, scale, string guage, how the feel is (tight/floppy) both fingered and picked. (list price paid if applicable).


I'll start off by listing the few 5 stringers I've own(ed):

1. '00 Ibanez EDC705 ($800)- 35", .128, floppy fingered, playable picked.
2. '03 Warwick Vampyre SN-5 ($2000)- 34", .135, playable fingered, better picked.
3. '06 ESP ltd F-255 ($800)- 35", .130, floppy fingered, floppy picked
4. '03 Ibanez BTB405QM ($350 used)- 35", .130, floppyish fingered, cleaner with a pick
5. '07 Warwick Corvette Std. 5 str. ($900)- 34", .135, floppyish fingered, playable with a pick.
6. '91 Music Man Stingray5 (traded for '07 Warwick Corvette Std5) - 34", .130 rw and also .132 fw, both types of strings and guages work nice and tight and feel as firm as the E string...best B string I've played to date. It can withstand 32notes at high tempos easily without a trace of floppyness. Plays like a dream fingered or picked.


***All basses submitted assume you had it set up properly (meaning no crazy fret-buzz or neck bowing was present), and that the "floppyness" issue kicks in when actively using the lower registers of the B string***


Hopefully this list will help out everyone around looking for a stable 5er bass...or any bass with a B-ish tuning (.125 - .135) tunings...
And those of you experimenting with F#-ish low ends, feel free to share your experiences with the deeper end of guages past .135 as well. Heavy strings require the right set up and costruction.

 

[anonymous111813]

My experience is: A light string gauge sounds way better. I use .110 strings, and it sounds even and tight.

 

[Catbuster]

All I've ever had in terms of a 5'er was an SR5, but it was nearly as firm and fun to play as the E string.

 

[TuneIn]

firm and snappy - ZON Sonus 519.
DR Black Beauties 40-120 (5 string set)

 

[Porkbun]

Schecter Studio 5- Floppy B, made me question the its use
ESP F205- Tight B, fits right in with other strings (getting a bit floppier as the strings get thicker)

 

[mccartneyman]

Lakland 55-94: 35" scale with Sadowsky Flats -- .130 tapered B. I've also used TI Jazz Flats with a non-tapered .126 B and stock Lakland nickel rounds with a .125. All have been tight and very celar.

Dingwall Combustion -- 37" Scale, .137 Dingwall stainless B. Tight but not quite as punchy as the Lakland.

 

[okcrum]

I use Dark Horse .125" nontapered nickel B strings on my 5s, all 34" scale, and they seem to work fine. Not too floppy, but nice and tight both fingered and picked. Two Jazz Vs and a TBC AP500M.

 

[darthplagis]

I have 2 yamaha BBG5a, i use/d warwick yellow strings with the tapered B (.135) and its a much more controlled B.

i have not tried my new fav strings (status hot-wires) on the yammies but my sandberg has them on and it is niiiicccceee.
im sure the hot wires i have on my sandberg are (.130 on B) and the tone is nice and clear, not as tight as i would get with a tapered B but far from floppy.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

non existent

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Schecter Studio 6 - (Circle K) .150 - Amazingly tight, even-toned, and punchy, both with fingers and picked.
Spector Legend 6 - (Circle K) .150 - Amazingly tight, even-toned, and punchy, both with fingers and picked.
OLD MM 5-string - (Dunlop) .125 - Pathetic and devoid of all tone and punch, regardless of playing style.

 

[Korladis]

For BEAD tuning, I use my first bass, a modded Peavey Milestone IV (P-bass copy). The B is just the standard one that comes from D'Addario 5 string XL sets.

Here it is, in all its glory:
http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/bassistsartori/?action=view&current=DSC00049.jpg
http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/bassistsartori/?action=view&current=DSC00050.jpg

The B isn't floppy, at least not for me. I play both with fingers and a pick.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

I've owned a lot of 5-stringers (as my profile will attest ) and honestly haven't the slightest clue what they were all strung with. I do know that the only B-strings I didn't like were on my Dingwall Afterburner II and Combustion... all others got the job done with authority

 

[spade2you]

I make sure my B is extremely good. Luthiers seem to specialize in making basses with a better B than virtually anything stock. Strings can help, but to a certain extent, I feel that having to get heavier strings is compensating for something that's not made as well.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I've purchased a few used basses that came in with suspect B strings, but after some TLC (new strings, proper intonation) they all sounded great.

I'm thrilled with the B strings on my current fivers:
Sadowsky NYC x3
Benavente 51 Model x2

And also with the B's on fivers I used to own:
MTD 535
Lull P5
Modulus Quantum 5
Warwick Streamer Stage I 5
Fender RB5

 

[Double Agent]

Fender Am Std. Jazz V - tight enough for slap, pick, fingers, whatever. Strung with La Bella HRS (.128 TW) and it plays as well as any 34" scale 5er and I've owned and even keeps up with some of the 35" scale 5ers I've owned.

 

[drewfx]

I followed the advice of people over in the strings forum and put DR Lo Riders (SS 45, 65, 85, 105, 130) on my G&L Tribute L2500. The B is noticeably tighter than previous strings I had tried (also with a 130), and much more playable now.

 

[KingRazor]

Ibanez SR405QM ($450)

I've used 4 B strings on this bass. A .130 elixer string, a .130 D'Addario, a .125 D'Addario and a .136 Circle K. The circle K has been the best so far.

My problem isn't floppyness, it's string rattle. The B string will rattle if plucked very hard.

 

[chokeslam512]

Modulus FB-5 (34"), DR HiBeams - Tight and clear.
SX Jazz 5 (34"), DR HiBeams - Floppy and little definition.

 

[LiamPodmore]

Squier Deluze Jazz Bass V Active - Floppy finger, not too bad picked but still a tad too floppy for me, strung with Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5's (.135 B)

Liam

 

[Zooberwerx]

In terms of articulation, tone, and consistency of "feel" beneath the fingertips, I'd have to go with Dingwall although my Modulus comes close. I've played a number of fivers where the addition of a B string was almost an afterthought.

I use Dingwall or LaBella fanned fret string sets. The gauge is a moot point as the 37" scale has more to do with the resulting response.

Riis