Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm looking for a nice taught solid sounding B string for my 4003 4-2-5. What brand do you like ?

I use D'Addario EXL .130 for a B string on my 5 string basses. A lighter string is too floppy in my opinion.

It's my experince that you can't teach a B string anything.

I have TI JF346s on my Smith 6-string FL, and they have a 0.136 B string. Just about right for my tastes. Any thinner is too thin.

FretlessOnly wrote:It's my experince that you can't teach a B string anything.

I have TI JF346s on my Smith 6-string FL, and they have a 0.136 B string. Just about right for my tastes. Any thinner is too thin.

With this in mind (thin strings), I recently switched from a 135 on my set of D'A XL flats to a new set of Roto TruBass 88 black nylon flats. I picked up the 6 string set so I could get a thinner B string and also due to the fact that these strings run thicker altogether. Normally their 6 string set is 135-115-100-75-65-50. So I put the 135 aside and used the 115-100-75-65-50 for my 5er set.

Anyway, as I said, with thinner in mind I thought they sounded great... until I read your post. So I pulled out the 135 and slapped it back on for kicks.

I do believe the B @ 115 on this set sounds pretty good and isn't too flabby but maybe I was just infatuated with the difference because now it sounds and feels right with the 135.

So now I'm sporting the 135-100-75-65-50 six string set with the E string thrown out. 115 is a bit big for an E, IMO.

I run D'Addario EXL220-5. They run 125/95/75/60/40. not too heavy - not too light... they are just right! For me anyhow.

Tarrbot wrote:So now I'm sporting the 135-100-75-65-50 six string set with the E string thrown out. 115 is a bit big for an E, IMO.

May I suggest 135-100-75-55-40? I think that would have better balance, although I can't be 100% sure. As you have it right now your highest tuned strings seem to have much more tension than the lowest three. It will really create a disparity in their tonal character.

The problem with that is that the 40 isn't available in their black nylon. 50 is the lowest they go.

I use D'Orazio Strings
http://www.doraziostrings.it/dorazioE/index.HTML

I'm very fond of the LaBella "deep talkin bass" strings. .128, .110, .085, .061, .044. They are pretty even on tension and balance and are stainless so they last pretty well.
Scott