Dibcharge

Hoping someone can help me on this one, I currently use D'Addario EXL160BT Nickel Wound, Balanced Tension Medium, 50-120 on a 4 string Fender MIM Jazz bass in Drop B (B F* B E) but am having issues as the strings don't last well, and lose their zing and "new string sound/feel" very quickly, even with cleaning the bass after playing. Does anyone have any suggestions for other string sets/brands of heavy strings (around the same gauge) or techniques to keep them sounding bright without having to replace them after 2/3 practices? Any advice welcome.

I recently picked up a bargain Hiwatt 4x12 tall bass cab. It has 4x Hiwatt 150watt 12" loudspeakers (which have www.hiwatt.info printed on the back of them, so I know it isn't vintage and made me think it could be Maxwatt, which I don't mind either, that URL doesn't work anymore) Whatever it is, it sounds great. Shifts loads of air, is warm, and handles all the drive I can chuck at it with my OB-1. Anyone have anymore information on these? Cheers!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1505906896' post='3375100'] Why do you hate 5 string basses? Seems odd to hate an instrument that could be perfect for you. [/quote] [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]Mostly due to the string spacing at the bridge being closer together to allow for more strings and the broadness of the necks, it just doesn't suit me. I've personally never played a 5string that I've liked so downtuned 4strings as an alternative. [/color][/font] [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1505907074' post='3375103'] Good choice on the Hartke Attack by the way. I had mine up for sale briefly and pulled it after playing it again. Greatly underrated preamp... [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hartke Bass Attack is an "always on" kinda pedal. Makes the OB1 sing! [/font][/color]

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1505906175' post='3375086'] Had my 5 string Sire tuned drop A when I had it. Worked grand so can't see any reason the 4 wouldn't handle it, other than needing thicker strings to keep the tuning taught. I ordered a D'addario of the heaviest gauge I could get for my lowest string. The nut will need attention and the bass set up appropriately. If you can match the tension on the neck (with a higher gauge of string tuned low) everything else is really unimportant. Only issue I would guess is the bridge being able to handle the thicker gauge strings... I couldn't handle a 120 gauge B string though... far too floppy for me! [/quote] I had considered the issue of the string thru being too small for a heavy gauge (an issue I had with an LTD previously)/nut adjustment but was more concerned over the sound, I'm guessing if the EQ is the same across 4/5 string models it would be fine. - I usually go for Roto Dropzones but the Fender didn't play particularly well with a .130 on the low B, even after a full set up, we play slow enough for the slack to not really be an issue. Thank you!

I currently play a Fender MIM Jazz, set up in Drop B with a .120 B string. - but have been thinking about buying a Sire MM V7 4-string as a back up/replacement (if they are as good as I've been led to believe) - I play in a doom/stoner/post-metal band, use a Hartke Bass Attack Pre-amp pedal into an Orange OB1 and thoroughly hate 5 string basses, so they are out of the question. My question is - has anyone bought a 4 string version of this bass and set up with heavy gauge strings/drop tuned it? How did it manage? Do you have any recorded samples of one? Massive thanks to anyone who can help!