Author Topic: B String Guage (Read 1389 times)

sonofa_lembic · « **Reply #30 on:** February 15, 2015, 11:53:17 AM »

If you are looking for low B clarity that is no less than piano like and clear as a bell, try a .125 D'Addario Prosteel. The added trick is once you have the string stretched and it is holding tune, push down on the string on both sides of the bridge saddle as well as the nut. If you create that kink in the core at the bridge and the nut, you will find the string resonates much better as well as becoming crystal clear. This trick and string choice can change a muddy sounding bass into a super clear sounding instrument.

bigredbass · « **Reply #31 on:** February 16, 2015, 01:39:23 PM »

So Rusty, just to be sure: The tapered section of the string does NOT reach to the bridge saddle(s)?

Joey

rustyg61 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 17, 2015, 03:23:30 PM »

Joey, the B string taper barely clears the saddle, but it does. The E taper clears easily.

rustyg61 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 17, 2015, 03:31:27 PM »

Trevor, where did you get the D Addario .125 Pro Steel? The only one I can find is in a set with a .40 G & that is too small. I actually ordered a .47 & .49 Circle K because I wanted a fatter sounding G, but they won't fit in my saddle & nut slot. Once again I was blown away with the precision craftsmanship at Alembic! A .45 fits perfect in the slots, but a .47 is too big! That is some close tolerances!

bigredbass · « **Reply #34 on:** February 17, 2015, 08:30:15 PM »

Thanks, Rusty. Boy am I glad they don't use those colored ball-ends: I can certainly make some dumbo mistakes, but I haven't gotten my G and B mixed up in a long time . . . .

Joey

rustyg61 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 18, 2015, 10:11:32 PM »

You're welcome Joey. Yeah, I never got the need to color code the string balls either. Circle K's come hanging on a card with the string gage hand written next to the ball on each string. They don't roll the strings up into a tight circle like every other string manufacturer, they are packaged straight hanging on the card inside a plastic sleeve, then they roll them into about a 10-12 circle to fit them into a mailer envelope.

japhy4529 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 24, 2015, 12:49:37 PM »

I recently acquired a 1995 Alembic Elan 5. See here for pics and specs: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/1995-alembic-elan-5-string-reduced-2800-00.1144528/

So here is my conundrum: this bass sounds REALLY good EXCEPT for the B string. It just sounds dully and wooly with not a lot of low end. I have D'addario strings on her right now, but I'm looking for other options. I've considered going right to the source and buying Alembic strings, but I want something that will really make the B string come alive. I've noticed with my Spector Euro 5LX (w/ upgraded electronics) and Modulus Quantum 5 that the B strings are thunderous and extremely well-defined. Not so with my Elan. I love the bass otherwise, so any advise you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

japhy4529 · « **Reply #37 on:** July 24, 2015, 01:02:26 PM »

I recently acquired a 1995 Alembic Elan 5. See here for pics and specs: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/1995-alembic-elan-5-string-reduced-2800-00.1144528/

So here is my conundrum: this bass sounds REALLY good EXCEPT for the B string. It just sounds dully and wooly with not a lot of low end. I have D'addario strings on her right now, but I'm looking for other options. I've considered going right to the source and buying Alembic strings, but I want something that will really make the B string come alive. I've noticed with my Spector Euro 5LX (w/ upgraded electronics) and Modulus Quantum 5 that the B strings are thunderous and extremely well-defined. Not so with my Elan. I love the bass otherwise, so any advise you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

edwin · « **Reply #38 on:** July 24, 2015, 01:12:08 PM »

Sweet bass! I've had good luck with the DR Sunbeam B strings. In my search for strings, I found them to be some of the most consistent across all the strings. D'Addario strings felt to me like a E-G set with an add on B that feels really different.

Also, make sure that the gauge isn't such that it's getting damped by the bridge saddles or the nut. I have a Ken Smith set on my Modulus Q 6 where that's definitely the case, making the B string dead sounding and feeling.

sonofa_lembic · « **Reply #39 on:** July 24, 2015, 03:14:20 PM »

I get my individual Prosteels from Bass Strings Online. The owner Jason is the coolest dude you could ever hope to meet, and he gets whatever you want from D'Addario within a couple of days if he does not already have it in stock. He even ordered me 38 long E strings for my Spyder bass.

mica · « **Reply #40 on:** July 24, 2015, 08:06:09 PM »

Tom, Since it's limited to one string, we've got to be looking for a physical cause rather than electronic. I'd certainly try a different string, a string that's good for one bass may be awful on another. With very clear electronics you can really hear when something is amiss with the string, and they don't all come out the factory the same as others have noted.

For the best low end, do favor the bass (neck) pickup as a 1995 Elan will be predominantly Maple, and have a naturally bright voice to begin with. You can probably hear the difference compared to other basses you have before you even plug it in.

Another thing is to check that the slots are good at the nut and the bridge saddle. See if there is vibration above the nut or below the saddle sapping energy away.

Keep us posted on your progress!

bsee · « **Reply #41 on:** July 24, 2015, 09:52:21 PM »

I've used DR strings for years, mostly Fat Beams and SunBeams with a .125 B. I like the 100-80-60-40 set for the E-A-D-G, but the .120 is just too light and loose for a B. More recently, I've tried the Neons and Dragon Skins, but the fatter strings sound dead pretty quickly.

I just received a set of Elixirs to review with a .135 B and I'm liking them. They don't feel that different from the DR .125 in thickness, so I wonder how accurate the gauges are between brands. They feel plenty tight and sound good, so I'm happy with them. They sent me a second set with a .130 B, and I'll give them a try when these start to die.

bsee · « **Reply #42 on:** July 24, 2015, 10:57:08 PM »

I'll add that I think a great solution would be to string with a .110 in the fat string slot and tune D-G-C-F-Bb if I could deal with it mentally. I rarely need a lower note than that D, and the strings would sound more even. I could use a capo at the second fret for tunes that are based on open strings in the standard tuning and it would by about like playing a 30.75 scale.

rustyg61 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 25, 2015, 08:57:52 AM »

Thomas, I had the same issue with my Europa when I got it & after trying many different brands, the Circle K (Kalium) strings solved the problem. The B is completely balanced with the other strings. You can start a run on the B string & there is no noticeable difference in tone when you move from the B to the E string. You can get them here - http://store.kaliumstrings.com/

Another thing to check is the set up on your bass. I've heard that if the tension on your truss rods is not correct it will effect resonance on the strings. So check your neck for bow & relief & make sure it is set up properly.

Your bass is stunning! I love the sunburst!!

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #44 on:** July 25, 2015, 09:21:17 AM »

Also, check that the B string hasn't got a half-twist in it... that can cause some strange sonic things too.

Author Topic: B String Guage (Read 1389 times)

sonofa_lembic

sonofa_lembic