4003s5 B string question

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:22 am

Some of the literature I've read on 5-string basses suggests a 35" or 36" scale length as being optimal for an effective B string tone. However, I noticed that the 4003s5 is the regular 33 1/4" scale. Does the shorter scale affect the B string tone or playability?

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:51 am

Ron - the B string on my S5 is just fine. Typically the issue is a floppy string. Not the case here.

Cheers!

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:54 am

Jeff!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:59 am

ya some people think a 5 string bass should be 35" long ... I had a schecter that was 35" ... nice low action emg active electronics ... it was an OK bass ... but it was no Ric ... I sold it ... I had an Ibanez 305DX it was 34" it had a much tighter and more responsive B string than the Schecter and it was 34" I sold the Ibanez to Cooper ...

I have six 5 string ric basses all of them have a good low B ... what is more important than scale is the strings ... some brand new sets of strings have 4 great strings and a sub-standard low B ...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:31 am

I have tried Schecter 5 string basses with a 35" scale and was not at all impressed with the B strings on them. They felt loose and sloppy, and sounded lifeless.
The neck of the bass has to be very rigid and not vibrate as the B string vibrates, as the overall contruction of the bass has to be solid. The angle in which the string passes over the bridge saddles and nut seems to be important.
The other factor is the the B string quality and gauge. I use .130 gauged B stings on my 4003S/5 and the B string sounds as good feels as tight as the B strings on my StingRay5 basses.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:48 am

Jeff, what do you recommend for a good 5-string string set?

bottom4 · Post by **bottom4** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:08 am

I use DR Low Rider 45 - 125. I have DR Lo Rider on ALL my Ricks

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:17 am

The stock B on an S5 is a 115, and especially if you detune, as I do, it is frappy.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:46 am

...another factor that will effect how good a string, especially the B string sounds and feels is how well it is installed on the bass...

I've been using D'Addario XL's .045 - .130 for a long time, I never got a bad string from them and they are very cool people to deal with. Soon I want to try their new stainless steel set. Ernie Ball Slinkys .045 - .130 sound nice, but that nice tone doesn't last very long. Rickenbacker strings are nice strings, but the .115 B string is too loose for me, and they are never discounted by RIC dealers. The only RIC dealer I;ve ever known to discount RIC strings was me. When you have as many basses as I do, you don't usually buy DRs, Elixers or RIC strings.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 12:07 pm

I like copley nickel wound strings ...

.125 - .45

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:04 pm

Where do you buy the Copley strings Jeff? I'd like to give them a try.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:41 pm

If the Copely strings are that good and I can save more $$$ on strings, I would also like to give them a try.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:57 pm

you can get them here ...

http://www.simbaproducts.com/

I think they will be discontinued soon ...

D'adario strings sound better ...