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What's your best B?
- Thread starter songwriter21
- Start date
I feel like the MTD is a li'l wider at the nut but I could be wrong. Will check tomorrow and report back!
Ok my friend, I took some measurements and pics for ya. I'm sorry that I couldn't find my digital calipers. These things are a little weird to be able to show measurements, but I hope you'll get the answers you're looking for. This sliding rule measures at 32nds and 64ths of an inch. The angles of the camera/etc make it looks like I don't have the rule lined up with the strings at all, but I promise I do!
I was backwards on my initial thought. Strike that; reverse it! They are about the same at the nut, with MTD being wider at the bridge.
Overall nut width on Sterling Ray35
This is the measurement from center to center of the B and D strings
This is the overall spacing from center to center of the B and D strings
OK so THIS is different... I went directly from the measurement of the Stingray bridge and set this on the MTD for comparison. The MTD has significantly wider string spacing at the bridge.
Here is the actual measurement on the bridge.
Looks like the overall nut width and string spacing at the headstock end is about the same between both basses.
I will say that yes, it is more of a reach when doing larger string-skipping things, but honestly I don't do that much (I'm not an awesome bass player. Just a bass player.
) Under my normal playing at church and stuff, the extra space has not given me any trouble.I've never been good at slap-style playing, but on the Super 5 I am getting there! This is the first bass I've had with the wider spacing and slap just happens SO MUCH more easily for me with the Super. It's like my right hand has magically become un-stupid, lol! I need more practice with it, but it's coming along now.
If you've got any other questions, please let me know!
First thank you very much for taking the time to do all of that, that’s way more than I would have expected. It was and is very helpful but I do have one more question hahaha. I’ve been told that the MTD a wide neck but thin. Was that your findings? You are right about playing parts that require string skipping I do it better on my MM than on my Fender, but there isn’t many songs that require me to do that. Thank you again!!!!!Ok my friend, I took some measurements and pics for ya. I'm sorry that I couldn't find my digital calipers. These things are a little weird to be able to show measurements, but I hope you'll get the answers you're looking for. This sliding rule measures at 32nds and 64ths of an inch. The angles of the camera/etc make it looks like I don't have the rule lined up with the strings at all, but I promise I do!
I was backwards on my initial thought. Strike that; reverse it! They are about the same at the nut, with MTD being wider at the bridge.
Overall nut width on Sterling Ray35
View attachment 4536995
This is the measurement from center to center of the B and D strings
View attachment 4536994
This is the overall spacing from center to center of the B and D strings
View attachment 4536993
OK so THIS is different... I went directly from the measurement of the Stingray bridge and set this on the MTD for comparison. The MTD has significantly wider string spacing at the bridge.
View attachment 4536992
Here is the actual measurement on the bridge.
View attachment 4536991
Looks like the overall nut width and string spacing at the headstock end is about the same between both basses.
View attachment 4536990
View attachment 4536989
I will say that yes, it is more of a reach when doing larger string-skipping things, but honestly I don't do that much (I'm not an awesome bass player. Just a bass player.
I've never been good at slap-style playing, but on the Super 5 I am getting there! This is the first bass I've had with the wider spacing and slap just happens SO MUCH more easily for me with the Super. It's like my right hand has magically become un-stupid, lol! I need more practice with it, but it's coming along now.
If you've got any other questions, please let me know!
The Basslab STD-VI I have in my hands right now is the hands-down winner. It’s the hands-down winner for everything, except for fretless, because it will never be one. It’s a very clear B, and I like that a lot. It also slaps really well, and just behaves the way I need my bass to behave.
No prob, you're welcome!
Yea so the Super 5 neck is def not as thick front-to-back as the Ray35, but it's also different feeling due to the asymmetrical design. The MTD neck is thicker at the proper thumb placement spot than the Ray. The thickest part of the neck is not in the center, rather it is moved towards the bass side... like almost right under the E string on a 5er, instead of under the A string like it would normally be. Sounds weird, feels great! You just gotta put one in your hands, man! :-D
I'm actually very pleased with all of my 5 string B's. For me, finding the right string for each bass is key. BUT, if I had to pick the best B in my stable it would be on my 35" Mike Lull PJ5.
You know, whenever this topic comes up I can't help but wonder how much opinions on good-vs.-bad Bs depend on both taste and playing style. I've got an Ibanez ANB306, and when I hit that B with my thumb, ugh. Just clank. But when I go in with the pads of my fingertips, I can get some just blissful mmmbass tones. So I'd love to hear some details on playing style to go along with the opinions. Good for slap? For percussive thump? For mellower, rounder tones? All of the above?
FWIW, I'll second all the folks who are diggin on their Rays. Heart my Ray. (Not so much the G string but that's another topic.)
FWIW, I'll second all the folks who are diggin on their Rays. Heart my Ray. (Not so much the G string but that's another topic.)
