Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I bought this OLP today for £150 and it is truly beautiful. Been noodling on it and it is great. However some advice would be appreciated as the B string is a bit flappy and I think it could do with heavier gauge. What gauge do other people use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 That looks like a decent buy for that sort of dosh. Nice looker. Sorry can't offer any advice as I've never owned a five string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Congrats, nice bass for not much cash! I think .045"-.130" is about the popular gauge for 5ers, but personally I prefer to go a bit lighter ( usually .040-.125"). It really all depends on the bass and your playing style though, you'll only find out what works best for you through trial and error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 They really are great instruments, I have an mm4 (silhouette guitar) and its brilliant! I was all about 125 b strings when I first started on fives but my rays do work best with a 130 imo, green pack of ebmm ones being the obvious choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1381091194' post='2234335'] They really are great instruments, I have an mm4 (silhouette guitar) and its brilliant! I was all about 125 b strings when I first started on fives but my rays do work best with a 130 imo, green pack of ebmm ones being the obvious choice [/quote] These ones? : [url="http://www.ernieball.co.uk/p/regular-slinky-5-string-bass-nickel-wound-045-130?pp=8"]http://www.ernieball.co.uk/p/regular-slinky-5-string-bass-nickel-wound-045-130?pp=8[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 That's the ones, not sure who is offering the best price on them these days, my last ones were either from Ebay or bass direct. The slightly thicker D and G are well suited to IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 What about flats? I put Lakland flats on my 5 string Lull Pbass and it went from a great tone to another level of great tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Pretty sure I had a 130 on the B of my OLP MM3 when I had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1381138252' post='2234687'] What about flats? I put Lakland flats on my 5 string Lull Pbass and it went from a great tone to another level of great tone. [/quote] do flats tend to be taughter than rounds? [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1381139742' post='2234720'] Pretty sure I had a 130 on the B of my OLP MM3 when I had it. [/quote] Thanks for your helps, sounds like 130 is the one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I think the 'floppy' B string is something that you need to get used to for a few weeks. Personally I like .125 because the .130 feels far too fat for me. I've never played a 5er that has had a similar tautness to an E for example. I found I had to adjust my playing style slightly to get used to the extra play you get from a longer, less taut string. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I use .130 on my B and everything else is 0.40-0.100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I used 45 to 105 plus 130 so it all balanced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1381148650' post='2234925'] I think the 'floppy' B string is something that you need to get used to for a few weeks. Personally I like .125 because the .130 feels far too fat for me. I've never played a 5er that has had a similar tautness to an E for example. I found I had to adjust my playing style slightly to get used to the extra play you get from a longer, less taut string. Truckstop [/quote] Wise words from Mr Truckstop as ever, I was just thinking the same thing. I'm not sure what scale your bass is but I play a 34 inch 5 stringer and B strings are always a bit floppy in comparison with the rest. I have got used to it and don't think about anymore. I play it like a 4, adding on the B string as I need it. That works well for me.. The B is also great for adding "low down slides, grunts and snorts" as required. The alternative is to go for a bass with a 35 inch or even longer scale. This certainly helps the B to feel and play like the other strings but for me it feels strange moving between basses of different length scales. Also check out Status Hotwire strings, they work well for me. Note: You do need a bass with a rock solid neck though. I have played a couple of 5's that have been horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1381148347' post='2234914'] ....do flats tend to be taughter than rounds?.... [/quote] I've no idea. I tend not to bother analysing much. I just work on the premise that if I change something on my rig and it sounds better and it doesn't impact the way I play then it's a good move. Moving to flats was a good move for me. [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1381148347' post='2234914'] ....do flats tend to be taughter than rounds?.... [/quote] Isn't that what you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1381153269' post='2235006'] I've no idea. I tend not to bother analysing much. I just work on the premise that if I change something on my rig and it sounds better and it doesn't impact the way I play then it's a good move. Moving to flats was a good move for me. Isn't that what you want? [/quote] Yes - I would like it to be a bit taughter, but given my question and that you suggested flats, I was just wondering if you suggested flats because they are less flappy than equivalent rounds or it was just a random (but welcome) suggestion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Flats have more tension then rounds so it means it will be less floppy. Whether the sound is good for you thats another question. If you want less floppy strings then flats or heavier gauge rounds will be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 It depends on the flats. TIs have a lot less tension than most rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 Dagnabbit! Everytime I think I have begun to suss it out, the goal posts move! :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'd just use the same guage you use on a 4 string then buy a fat old B if ya don't like it floppy, who does. 130 or more. I'm sure i used a 150 once but i smoked a lot of weed then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1381169258' post='2235358'] Dagnabbit! Everytime I think I have begun to suss it out, the goal posts move! :/ [/quote] Keep at it you will get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Rotosound Flats have high tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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