5-string B Gauge

[rv_bass]

Hi,
I'm new to five string bass playing. I use .040, .055, .075, .105 on my four string long scale bass (.100 for the E on my short scale bass).  I see that there are a variety of gauges for the B on a five string.  I was thinking of going with .120 for the B, but was wondering what gauge other people use and why you chose to use the gauge for the B string that you do. Any advantages or disadvantages to heavy or lighter B string?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[growlypants]

On their new basses (34" scale), Alembic provides a .128 round wound.  Literally, for the first few years, I lived with this gauge.  Hey, it was all new to me, anyway!  Unable to obtain Alembic strings for a brief time, I tried the D'Addario Half Round XL's, which provided a .130 gauge B.  I liked this even better!  Finally, I've kind of settled on (don't hold your nose, everyone!) D'Addario Chromes, a true flatwound, which has a .132 gauge B!!  And I find it excellent!  I try to keep the action as low as possible, and so far, no problems at all.  Your mileage may vary, obviously, but a .120 gauge does seem too light, at least to me.

[jazzyvee]

I had some alembic strings on my basses with .128 which I thought had a good balance across the strings. Unfortunately they are quite expensive to find here so I use d'addario pro steels with a .130 low b and thAt works great for me.  If I could get a job lot on a few sets of alembic ones at a good price I'd get them.

[jacko]

Hey Dan. No nose holding here. I've used D'addario Chrome XL flats on my fretless Rogue 5 string for years and think they're one of the best flats I've played.

Rob. I've used DR black beauties 45-125 on my fretted signature almost as long as I've had the bass. The B is 125 which I feel balances really well with the other 4 strings. just about the right tension.  Like Jazzy I'm in the UK where quality strings are expensive so I tend to buy two sets a year from Mike Griggs at String this. So far I've been lucky not to get stung for import duties so my two sets generally end up costing less than a single set from a UK distributor. 

Graeme

[germansal]

125 for low b really works

[rv_bass]

Thanks for all of your comments!

It sounds like slightly thicker B strings are preferred.  I guess what threw me was according to Mica's post under the showcase section, Phil Lesh uses a .115 B  on his new Series II, and he certainly can produce some serious low end when needed.

I like Pyramid flatwounds, and they have a 5-string set .045-.126, a little thicker all around than I normally use, but I will check them out on my next string change.

Thanks!

[edwardofhuncote]

Rob, not on my Alembic at the moment, but I have TI Jazz Rounds installed on a 34" scale Tobias, and a Gibson Thunder Series V, also 34"... the B in that set is a .118, and feels/sounds fine to me. I've recently given serious thought to stringing my medium-scale Distillate B-E-A-D with that same set.

[stout71]

I use a .118 on my 5'r.  I find that it's slightly more resonant on my bass.  I still REALLY struggle with the overall sound of that string.  It sounds like a boat anchor compared to the other 4.  Still working on figuring that one out.

[rv_bass]

Thanks, guys, I'll stick with the .120, which is Pyramid's smallest B size.  With the flats I don't get an anchor sound, I get an intense deep low blast!

[edwin]

I like a .120 at the most. Otherwise the B string sounds like it's from a different bass and it also doesn't vibrate as much like a string as it does a bar. The overtones get clangorous and the intonation can get wonky. I don't notice any lack of low end with a .120 and the low notes speak faster.

I've got a set of Pyramids to go on my Modulus Q6. They originally sent me a .120 B string and it's a bit too much. So, I ordered a .115. I haven't installed it yet, but I probably will over the next few days. They will make custom gauges and lengths (I had to order extra long strings for this bass).

[rv_bass]

Thanks, Edwin, I will check out their site.

[edwin]

Thanks, Edwin, I will check out their site.

You will probably have to send them an email. Their site is less than comprehensive, but Max Junger is very responsive.

I put on the .115 last night. At first I thought it was going to be too light (and it feels much looser than the E string that's on there), but after plugging it in and playing it, it does everything I hoped. The .120 string is thuddy and thick in comparison to the other strings and the .115 brings back the lively tone of the rest of the bass without losing any of the low end and impact. It makes the low end wonderfully clear.

Next step, a slightly lighter gauge E string.

The real problem I'm having is that at this point, I just don't want to play that bass since getting the Starfire back from the mothership with the new bridge, etc. I'm not sure the honeymoon period for that is going to end (and sound persons all urge me to play the Starfire. It sounded great at the Fillmore in Denver last night.).

[adriaan]

Hey hey, my 6-string B feels left out.

The standard Alembic set goes 128-105-80-65-45-30, and perhaps it's all the mahogany and ebony in the neck, but the B kind of made the other strings sound wimpy - pretty sure it's more a question of balance and stuff, but it's pretty weird actually having to cut bass at the amp. As I generally prefer roundcore strings, it's now wearing DR Hi Beams 130-105-85-65-46-30 - and though the feel of the roundcores is more to my liking, the balance issue is much the same.

For me, with those two sets, it's not about the B string sounding totally different, just way louder. And it's a fine bunch of loudness, rich and resonant - just overpowering the rest.

So I probably need to downsize the B.   Or try those TI Jazz Rounds 118-89-68-51-43-29.

Phil's custom set is indeed light at the low end, but at the same time heavy at the high end - something like a 045 for the high C, IIRC - and on a short scale.

[rv_bass]

I emailed Pyramid yesterday and Max was very responsive and helpful.  I ordered a couple .115 B strings and look forward to hearing how they sound.  I use .100 E on my short scale and like the way it sounds, might try that on the long scale as well (currently using .105 E on the long scale).

[edwin]

I emailed Pyramid yesterday and Max was very responsive and helpful.  I ordered a couple .115 B strings and look forward to hearing how they sound.  I use .100 E on my short scale and like the way it sounds, might try that on the long scale as well (currently using .105 E on the long scale).

I hope it works out for you. It definitely takes a minute to readjust your touch, but I liked discovering that I don't have to play so hard to get such a satisfying bottom going on!