130 low B (from 125) Should I have FELT a difference?

[vindibona1]

I've had my Ibanez BTB675 bass now for just short of two months. I think I've grown into it nicely. I had changed the strings two weeks in and went for DR Pure Blues 45-125 as a starting place. I always felt that the low B was sort of useless once I got above E on that B string. DR was kind enough to send me a PB 130 to try and I put it on, tuned it up, made a small tweak on the truss rod, changed the string height a hair and intonated it. Sound wise, such a difference. I actually have tone coming from that string. Open the strings all have similar timbre.

I guess I should count my blessings, but feel wise I'm not feeling much difference besides the general width of the string itself. I guess low strings are low tension. I expected it to be harder on the left hand (which I'm concerned about due to arthritis), but I'm not really feeling any significant difference in playability, but I can hear an improvement in tone. Is that because the Ibby has a 35" scale length?

What am I missing?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

It is very slight difference.

It is about a 3 pound difference less than 10% increase from 125 to 130 on a 35" scale.

 

[vindibona1]

It is very slight difference.

It is about a 3 pound difference less than 10% increase from 125 to 130 on a 35" scale.

Thanks! Based on your signature, it seems you're "the man" when it comes to bass strings. So what would you recommend as my next set for playing everything from slap to blues and worship music (not gospel)? My experience so far is limited to the DR Pure Blues and D'Addario EXL170BT's and whatever D'Addarios that were shipped on my Yamaha bass. TIA (and again)

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Thanks! Based on your signature, it seems you're "the man" when it comes to bass strings. So what would you recommend as my next set for playing everything from slap to blues and worship music (not gospel)? My experience so far is limited to the DR Pure Blues and D'Addario EXL170BT's and whatever D'Addarios that were shipped on my Yamaha bass. TIA (and again)

Since you are asking me directly and to not violate this websites TOS in making a specific recommendation... My favorite more versatile string set - GHS Pressure Wounds or Ken Smith Compressors.

 

[vindibona1]

Since you are asking me directly and to not violate this websites TOS in making a specific recommendation... My favorite more versatile string set - GHS Pressure Wounds or Ken Smith Compressors.

Thanks. I've never heard of Ken Smith strings (which means nothing) but I've tried GHS strings (Signature Bronze) on one of my Taylor 6 strings and was favorably impressed. I'll have to look into both of these brands before my next purchase though I'm not sure how often to change bass strings. I know my acoustics don't usually stay on for more than a month, depending on my gig schedule and how I rotate guitars into the schedule.

 

[basst scho]

i made the opposite change, from 130 to 125 (and the E from 110 to 105 -> dr sunbeams) cuz the e and b on my sr505 were louder and more "boomy" compared to the other 3 for my taste... (even with adjusted pickup-height)

there is no difference i consciously notice, evenness of the strings was also not better, so i bought a compressor...

 

[michael_t]

I've never heard of Ken Smith strings (which means nothing) but I've tried GHS strings

Fyi...
Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Pressurewounds are close cousins both made by GHS with only a couple of differences.

Ken Smith "long scale" has a winding length (from ball end silk/taper) of 38", while GHS PWs are 37.25". The KS B string is .125 and is tapered, while the .128B by GHS is not.

I'm in the process of acquiring a new active 5-string (my first fiver) and I plan to put the GHS PW ML7200 (44-58-80-102) and the 128B on it.

 

[vindibona1]

i made the opposite change, from 130 to 125...on my sr505 were louder and more "boomy" compared to the other 3 for my taste... (even with adjusted pickup-height) there is no difference i consciously notice, evenness of the strings was also about the same, so i bought a compressor...

Interesting. I can believe that. On my acoustics I've tried .056 gauge on the low E and find that the .054's make the guitar SIGNIFICANTLY louder. On acoustics I attribute that to resultant harmonics of the low E's overtones sympathizing with the other harmonics, increasing the overall harmonic range (simple explanation). Not sure if it's the same with bass, but why not.

Fyi...
Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Pressurewounds are close cousins both made by GHS with only a couple of differences.

Ken Smith "long scale" has a winding length (from ball end silk/taper) of 38", while GHS PWs are 37.25". The KS B string is .125 and is tapered, while the .128B by GHS is not.

I'm in the process of acquiring a new active 5-string (my first fiver) and I plan to put the GHS PW ML7200 (44-58-80-102) and the 128B on it.

Thanks for that. I'm liking the extra tone of the 130 without creating any play issues, so I know that's how I'm going to stay. I suppose 128 falls in there somewhere, depending on the string.