Guest MoJo Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I'm seriously into D'Addario Chrome XL's at the moment. I've got a set of ECB81's on my P-bass which is tuned Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and I've just ordered a set of ECB80's for my BB414 which is tuned E,A,D,G. I see on String Busters that there is an ECB81-5 set available. Before I dive in and order a set for my BB415, I thought I ask whether anyone has experience of using flatwounds on a five and how the low B sounded in particular. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 (edited) Anybody? No? Dust? Anybody? No?........ Edited February 2, 2009 by bassman2790 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I have a 4-string Precision at the moment tuned BEAD with Chromes. I like the Chromes but I'm not crazy about the B. Actually I'm not sure I like any B string. It sounds fine but not as solid as the other strings. I tend to like lower tension flats like Chromes and TI Jazz Flats. I think if I was going to be seriously/regularly playing a B string I'd be looking for something with more tension in it. Or just buy a 35"/36" scale instrument. Or just play EADG - which is what I usually do. Sorry not to be more helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='EssentialTension' post='398469' date='Feb 2 2009, 11:06 PM']I have a 4-string Precision at the moment tuned BEAD with Chromes. I like the Chromes but I'm not crazy about the B. Actually I'm not sure I like any B string. It sounds fine but not as solid as the other strings. I tend to like lower tension flats like Chromes and TI Jazz Flats. I think if I was going to be seriously/regularly playing a B string I'd be looking for something with more tension in it. Or just buy a 35"/36" scale instrument. Or just play EADG - which is what I usually do. Sorry not to be more helpful.[/quote] I think you've been very helpful thanks. I think I will stick with roundwounds on the 5 string but go for a heavier set to retain the tension when tuned Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb (detuned a semi-tone to help the singer out with those high notes), maybe 50 - 130 Edited February 3, 2009 by bassman2790 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foal30 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I was going to put Chromes on my 5 but the long neck set only comes with an 100 E and I need a 105 Chromes sure are lovely. If your OK with different gauges I say go for it...nothing ventured nothing gained etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I've a set of LaBella Deep Talkin flats on my 5 and they sound fine. They run 43-128 I believe with a tapered B. Works fine for me in standard BEADG tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born 2B Mild Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have a set of Olympia flats that I've tried on two of my fivers, and the B always sounds dull and woody. Most likely the string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ive got Chromes on my Fender 2008 P5. I already had them on my Duck Dunn so only needed to get the B string when i swapped them over to the Fender. I find the B sounds fine although its not a matched set as the other four are med/light while the B is .135. Still, enough tension for me and i find the lower notes sound just as tight as my old Lakland 55-01. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='398771' date='Feb 3 2009, 12:09 PM']Ive got Chromes on my Fender 2008 P5. I already had them on my Duck Dunn so only needed to get the B string when i swapped them over to the Fender. I find the B sounds fine although its not a matched set as the other four are med/light while the B is .135. Still, enough tension for me and i find the lower notes sound just as tight as my old Lakland 55-01.[/quote] hmmm... maybe it's me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='398814' date='Feb 3 2009, 12:27 PM']hmmm... maybe it's me.[/quote] Nah, we all like different things thats all. Ive read loads of posts where people are praising the low B on the Fender and loads of people that prefer 35" necks and wont play 34" 5 strings. I was quite surprised how even the strings sound on my P5. To be honest im not 100% with flats anyway but since i got my P5 ive used the low B around the 5th-8th fret a lot more than i did with my 55-01. By the way, its a .132 and not a .135 as i previously wrote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) For anyone interested i have been told that D'Addario are to discontinue the Chrome .132 XL string as a single. Edited February 3, 2009 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I've got Roto Jazz flats on an MIJ Fender Jazz V. They sound and feel ok to me, though the B feels quite low tension. Also got La Bella flats on a Spector Rebop 5, which is 35" scale. The B is very good, nice dark tone and taught. Unplugged the E sounds dead compared to the other strings and isn't as shiny. It plays ok amplified though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 From what ive read, its not the neck length that makes a string have more tension, its the string itself. So you can still have a floppy B string on a 35". Could be wrong of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Same string, same note, but longer scale length will give higher tension than same string, same note, shorter scale length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='400068' date='Feb 4 2009, 03:36 PM']Same string, same note, but longer scale length will give higher tension than same string, same note, shorter scale length.[/quote] Yeah, that makes sense but a low tension string can also feel floppy on a 35". What i meant/should have said was that all things being equal, yes, the slightly longer neck will improve tightness but build quality, stiffness of the neck etc can also play a part as well. Bottom line is no, you dont have to have 35" to get a tight B string IME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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