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Strings suitable for B on a 4004
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:47 am
by Lemmy4ever
Can anyone suggest a set a strings that have tension suitable for a 4004 that will be set-up and tuned to B?
Re: Strings suitable for B on a 4004
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 1:48 pm
by Isaac
What will the other strings be?
Personally, I think most B strings are too light. If you take the standard Ric string gauges (.045, .055, .075, .105) and extrapolate, a B string should be .145. Similarly, if you calculate an "all things equal" B from a .105 E, you get something like .150 or .155, but most B strings sold are .130 or .135. This is why many players find the low B to be "floppy". And a lot of those players are playing on basses with a 35" scale. Rics aren't even 34". On a 33ΒΌ" Ric, I'd go with the heaviest low B I could find that's the same type as the other strings.
Re: Strings suitable for B on a 4004
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:50 pm
by aceonbass
On my 5-string basses, I use a balanced tension set from Kalium that works out to about 40lbs per string, with a B at around .135.
Re: Strings suitable for B on a 4004
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 6:41 pm
by Kopfjaeger
I'm at .130, 086, .065, & .047 on my CGCF tuned bass. Kalium hybrids. The bass is a 2012 4003.
Sepp
Re: Strings suitable for B on a 4004
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:13 pm
by cassius987
I used to be all about the E and B strings having adequate tension. Now I worry much more about the strings having so much wrap on the core that it gets that "choked out" sound, so I lean toward the small gauges within reason, B string most definitely included. 0.130'' seems to be standard minimum for B in most sets, but you see the occasional 0.0125'' B string. As long as you can get it to 30 lbs tension, it will sound great. You just need to set it up properly for the string of choice.