Given up on the B string

[BigRedX]

[quote name='randymussel' timestamp='1470723569' post='3107856']
That does make sense, and I did wonder about the gauge of the strings I tried - I find most basses are strung a bit light for me off the shelf.
[/quote]

If you look at string tension charts (from those manufacturers than can be bothered to publish them) you'll see that in most sets the highest tension string is the D and the tension drops as you move in each direction from it. IMO most sets could do with heavier gauge strings for the low E never mind the low B to give better consistency in feel and sound.

[GrammeFriday]

[quote name='randymussel' timestamp='1470734145' post='3107951']
My Cort was a C5H, so same shape but a different beast to the A5/6 I believe. Bolt-on, 34" scale. Modern-sounding and versatile but I didn't fall in love with it - I bought it for a particular band that ended a couple of years ago.
[/quote]

Ah. The Cort 'A' series is also pretty 'modern' sounding, so I guess I probably wouldn't recommend an A5 for you after all, even though the B string is likely to be awesome.

[tauzero]

Peavey Grind.

[Bass_Guardian]

My Status Trace Elliot T bass has got a great B string. Nice n tight, doesn't feel any looser than the E string. You can pick these up for great prices second hand (Usually about £650ish).

Edited August 9, 2016 by Bass_Guardian

[M@23]

I like a 130 B. Good strings definitely help too. I thought my Sandberg had a bad low B, turns out it was the awful strings they ship with. Still not the best, but hugely improved by better strings.

[bubinga5]

I think some people are missing the point with a low B strings tone or tightness sometimes. Electronics and pickups have a great deal to do with it, and how a low B string responds. It's not all to do with the way the string behaves or its tension. It's how that vibration is picked up and handled electronicaly. Crap pickups or preamp can make a thight b string sound mushy, floppy. I've had floppy B string,s that sounded amazing. Ie a Fender Jazz 5 mim with a glockenspiel. Great sounding b string. On the other hand I've had a Fender 5 mim with DR low riders that sounded not so good. To many variables me says. A physically floppy B string can sound amazing, with a good preamp. Pickups. some technique adjustment may be needed. I think there is some confusion between the feel of a string and it's actual tone that can be achieved.

Edited August 9, 2016 by bubinga5

[bubinga5]

This is good tip fro a master builder. Don't untwist the windings. http://youtu.be/cLcwYNHDnPY

[spacecowboy]

My Warwick Streamer Stage 2 5er and my Dingwall Afterburner both had superb b's, the length of the string and the tension can only be one side of the story cause the Warwick's B string was alot more focused and powerful than the dinger. Funnily enough I find myself with no 5 string in my stable at the moment either, don't miss it just yet...

[bigjimmyc]

Before I bought a 5-string I experimented with restringing my main bass BEAD. This was a useful compromise between the feel of the string and familiarity of the guitar. Cheaper too!

[stingrayPete1977]

I am a total convert on elec bass to 5 strings, three Stingrays all with great B strings and a USA Jazz V with a great B and a preamp wedged in it. I do not own any 4 string basses anymore and they feel weird to me now, I still miss my pre EB Ray that Foxx has as his avatar but I know I would not use one if I got another.

[chris_b]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1470773633' post='3108402']
This is good tip fro a master builder. [u]Don't[/u] untwist the windings. [/quote]

Err. . . . [i]do[/i] untwist the strings.

[bubinga5]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1470783688' post='3108516']


Err. . . . [i]do[/i] untwist the strings.
[/quote]sorry the windings

[Machines]

All I know is every bass I've had with a good B has been 35" or more. The BTB is 35" and beats the Lakland any day.

[josie]

On my GMR 5 (35") the B string plays the same as the other four. And even at my beginner level I use it a lot. Just extends your range anywhere on the fretboard.

On my Jazz Plus 5 (34") the B string is almost unuseably floppy. And it's not just my poor technique - several reviews say the same thing. Given the comments above I should look at changing the strings?

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1470863970' post='3109099']
All I know is every bass I've had with a good B has been 35" or more. The BTB is 35" and beats the Lakland any day.
[/quote]

And IME every 35" scale 5-string I have tried or owned has been been very poor when it comes to the sound and feel of the B-string. Then again they were all at the cheaper (sub £1k) end of the market.

[dannybuoy]

You CAN get a decent low B in a cheap instrument. I've owned a few 5ers up to the £1.2k price range, and the £280 Warwick Rockbass Streamer I have blows them all out of the water and can seriously hang with the super expensive stuff I've tried out. It has a stiff multi laminate neck and very tight neck joint. There are tons of expensive boutique basses out there that just use standard woods and traditional construction methods, so price isn't always an indicator of how well the low B will perform.

The most important difference is the right strings, and making sure they are fitted properly. I've had bad Bs made great, and great Bs made bad, just by changing the string type.

[LewisK1975]

Yep Dannybuoy is right, you can get good B's on cheaper instruments, one of the best B's I've heard was on a Musicman USA SUB 5 I had. They can be had for around £400-£450..

[Len_derby]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1470901537' post='3109186']
You CAN get a decent low B in a cheap instrument. I've owned a few 5ers up to the £1.2k price range, and the £280 Warwick Rockbass Streamer I have blows them all out of the water and can seriously hang with the super expensive stuff I've tried out. It has a stiff multi laminate neck and very tight neck joint. There are tons of expensive boutique basses out there that just use standard woods and traditional construction methods, so price isn't always an indicator of how well the low B will perform.

The most important difference is the right strings, and making sure they are fitted properly. I've had bad Bs made great, and great Bs made bad, just by changing the string type.
[/quote]

Which strings have you found good?

[JTUK]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1470901537' post='3109186']
You CAN get a decent low B in a cheap instrument. I've owned a few 5ers up to the £1.2k price range, and the £280 Warwick Rockbass Streamer I have blows them all out of the water and can seriously hang with the super expensive stuff I've tried out. It has a stiff multi laminate neck and very tight neck joint. There are tons of expensive boutique basses out there that just use standard woods and traditional construction methods, so price isn't always an indicator of how well the low B will perform.

The most important difference is the right strings, and making sure they are fitted properly. I've had bad Bs made great, and great Bs made bad, just by changing the string type.
[/quote]

I'd say that would be a boutique builder that you'd want to ignore..IME. Knowing the properties and having a good wood stock plus very solid build construction is what you should be paying for..
I have a couple of customs that are light years ahead of a Fender Custom Shop, for example. It is more a question of do you know where the price of your bass goes.
Some it goes to the name, IMO..others it goes to the builder for just being very very good at his craft.


The point about a B string is the balance with the other strings..tonally and from a feel point of view.
A good bass will do both very well, IMO
.

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1470903038' post='3109196']
Which strings have you found good?
[/quote]

I haven't experimented too much with 5 strings sets, I have a fair few sets left to try! But the Fender P5 I had was floppy as heck until I put some TI Flats on it - even though they are known as low tension strings.

Right now I have a Yamaha BB1025X and the Warwick Rockbass Streamer. I've tried various Dunlop sets on the Yam but the D'Addario nickels that came stock with it work so much better. The Dunlop Super Bright Steels are the floppiest of the lot!

The aforementioned Warwick hasn't seen much play time and still has the stock steels! But that low B is as tight as gnat's chuff. They are dead and due a change, but am planning to swap the pickups out as the stock ones are ridiculously weak. I have some DR Hi-Beams to try out, but I've been really impressed with the D'Addario Flex Steels on my 4-string T-Bird, so might try those or the Pro Steels.

Making sure the string is dead straight with no twists when you string it up is also a big factor is getting a clear sounding string, many forget this, especially if they wrap the string around the posts a couple of times to save winding and haven't rotated the rest of the string through to the ball end to compensate for the twisting.

[alexclaber]

My RIM Custom 5 has a 36" scale length and wears Circle K balanced tension strings, with a .142 low B. Floppy strings or uneven feel drives me crazy!

[The Badderer]

Try some Spectors at Bass Direct. The Korean Made Spectors and Laklands are a great place to look for quality with good low Bs

[Musicman20]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1470772113' post='3108384']
I think some people are missing the point with a low B strings tone or tightness sometimes. Electronics and pickups have a great deal to do with it, and how a low B string responds. It's not all to do with the way the string behaves or its tension. It's how that vibration is picked up and handled electronicaly. Crap pickups or preamp can make a thight b string sound mushy, floppy. I've had floppy B string,s that sounded amazing. Ie a Fender Jazz 5 mim with a glockenspiel. Great sounding b string. On the other hand I've had a Fender 5 mim with DR low riders that sounded not so good. To many variables me says. A physically floppy B string can sound amazing, with a good preamp. Pickups. some technique adjustment may be needed. I think there is some confusion between the feel of a string and it's actual tone that can be achieved.
[/quote]

I agree that good quality pickups and a pre-amp can help a B string to sound clear and tight. A quality humbucker or powerful single coil at the bridge helps.

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1470863970' post='3109099']
All I know is every bass I've had with a good B has been 35" or more. The BTB is 35" and beats the Lakland any day.
[/quote]
You do know that Lakland's sport 35" also?

[Grangur]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1470679383' post='3107615']
Unfortunately IME there are no cheap and good 5-string basses. There's more to making a good 5-string than simply widening the neck and pickups and adding an extra bridge saddle and machine head, which is all the cheaper end of the market does.

Even if they are currently out of your price range, go to a specialist bass shop such as Bass Direct, Bass Gear or The Gallery and try some around the £2k mark. Then you'll see why you've been unsatisfied with the budget end of the market.
[/quote]
Sorry I have to disagree there. Jabba of this Parish can make a superb 5er out of an old door and a shelf!
Wow that man has talent!

Sorry, I digress.