Is there a way to improve B string on Fender Jazz?

[Gwardar]

Hi Everyone,

I bought a second-hand MIA 5-sting Jazz. I think it's the "standard" model (came with passive electronics). Love the look and playability, but:

The GDAE strings sound great, bright and punchy, just they way I thought they would be. The B string - poop. So bad that the tuner had troubles picking up any notes. If the tuner can't hear it then neither can I.

I read somewhere (probably on TB) that for the standard series Fender just added an extra string and didn't update the electronics. So I went on a quest and fitted it with Lindy Fralin pickups and John East preamp, which as you expect wasn't a cheapo fix.

It helped a lot I must say. The B string now exists and has some bottom, but still bleak and wimpy sounding compared to the other 4. No sustain either. I have other 5 string basses and, as you'd expect, the B string varies between them, but none of them is as bad as the Fender.

Is my bass faulty or is this how 5 string Jazz basses are? If it's faulty - what should I look into? Changed pickups, put a preamp in, changed strings a few times, did the setup a few times. Tightened all the bolts. Didn't seem to fix it. Could the body and/or neck be defective?

TIA

 

[chris_b]

I bought a second-hand MIA 5-sting Jazz. I think it's the "standard" model (came with passive electronics). Love the look and playability, but: The GDAE strings sound great, bright and punchy, just they way I thought they would be. The B string - poop.

I had a similar experience about 4 years ago with my Am Std Jazz V. Great bass but the B string sounded a little "disconnected". Not as bad as your bass seems to be, but still not quite joined up with the rest of the strings. Maybe it was a slight difference in volume, anyway I didn't spend much time on it, I know it was a problem the band and audience wouldn't have noticed, but I did. This bass was up against a Lakland 55-94, Lull M5V Jazz and a newly bought Sadowsky Metro RV5 Jazz. I compared all the basses on gigs over the next month and everything was sold, except the Sadowsky.

 

[jonnybass1]

The best way to improve the B string on a Fender Jazz is to sell it and get a Dingwall . Sorry I had to

 

[crguti]

what is the string gauge you're using?

 

[JimmyThunder]

this is an oft-complained issue with the Fender 5 design

 

[80jazz]

this is an oft-complained issue with the Fender 5 design

Yep. My first 5 was a Fender (I still have it) but probably won't buy another one. I think I prefer 35" scale and have suspicions that Dingwall makes the best 5 string.

 

[TrevorG]

Yep. My first 5 was a Fender (I still have it) but probably won't buy another one. I think I prefer 35" scale and have suspicions that Dingwall makes the best 5 string.

Got to admit, while I’m over the moon with my four string precision, I’m keeping my five string Spector because that 35” scale produces more note and less flap.

 

[Zooberwerx]

New pups and pre aside, is the B string still "blah" acoustically or does it stand right-up with the other 4? Pics of the set-up may help.

Riis

 

[Bass Viking]

I’ve never played a Fender B string I liked (though they may exist). It sounds like your bass is beyond help. I once had a Godin 5 string and no matter what I did the B string sucked. Once you went below the low D it was muddy and undefined.

 

[DrMole]

The best way to improve the B string on a Fender Jazz is to sell it and get a Dingwall . Sorry I had to

Someone beat me to it

 

[Rob112]

I would say a high pass filter if you want to put more money into this. The Broughton always on is pretty cost efficient.

 

[JGbassman]

I have three 5 string basses in 34” scale, and two in 35” scale. In all circumstances the 35” scale basses seem to have the best sounding B strings, both feel and sound. I can EQ and use compression to even out the 34” scale basses, but I don’t have to finesse the 35” ones into a good sound.

For the record, all basses are different makes and models, but at the midrange price point around 1k.

 

[Jon Moody]

I read somewhere (probably on TB) that for the standard series Fender just added an extra string and didn't update the electronics.

Updating the electronics certainly helps, but given that Fender just made a wider neck, you're always going to have issues with the B string. If the neck isn't looked at and designed accordingly, the vibration transfer is gone and you have a crummy sounding lower register. You can bump the gauge for the B string, and that will help as well, but won't completely address the problem.

My Hilton is a 32" scale and has a tremendously amazing and articulate B string. It can be done, but you have to look at the neck, and not just do the "Fender thing" and say "Oh, the neck needs to be wider? Easy."

 

[80jazz]

Updating the electronics certainly helps, but given that Fender just made a wider neck, you're always going to have issues with the B string. If the neck isn't looked at and designed accordingly, the vibration transfer is gone and you have a crummy sounding lower register. You can bump the gauge for the B string, and that will help as well, but won't completely address the problem.

My Hilton is a 32" scale and has a tremendously amazing and articulate B string. It can be done, but you have to look at the neck, and not just do the "Fender thing" and say "Oh, the neck needs to be wider? Easy."

Steve Araujo has raved about the G&L CLF research L-2000 low B. Are they that good? I have not played a G&L 5 string and I like the idea of having one.

I also seem to remember a Sterling bass I had that didn't seem to flop like the Fender. Maybe there is something to that.

Somebody just be buying the Fender fives since they still make them.

 

[gidbass]

Hi Everyone,

I bought a second-hand MIA 5-sting Jazz. I think it's the "standard" model (came with passive electronics). Love the look and playability, but:

The GDAE strings sound great, bright and punchy, just they way I thought they would be. The B string - poop. So bad that the tuner had troubles picking up any notes. If the tuner can't hear it then neither can I.

I read somewhere (probably on TB) that for the standard series Fender just added an extra string and didn't update the electronics. So I went on a quest and fitted it with Lindy Fralin pickups and John East preamp, which as you expect wasn't a cheapo fix.

It helped a lot I must say. The B string now exists and has some bottom, but still bleak and wimpy sounding compared to the other 4. No sustain either. I have other 5 string basses and, as you'd expect, the B string varies between them, but none of them is as bad as the Fender.

Is my bass faulty or is this how 5 string Jazz basses are? If it's faulty - what should I look into? Changed pickups, put a preamp in, changed strings a few times, did the setup a few times. Tightened all the bolts. Didn't seem to fix it. Could the body and/or neck be defective?

TIA

I recently had gone through this with my Squier Jazz V. Not sure what strings you are using, but I use DR LoRiders and the B wasn't cutting it for me. Very muddy and undefined which really surprised me. It was a .130.

I purchased a single D'addario ProSteel .145 tapered B (~12$) and that helped a lot. I am liking the tension and sound from it now.

I'd suggest trying larger, tapered B strings to see if you can get the definition you are looking for.

Heres the link: D'Addario XL ProSteels Stainless Steel Single String Long Sc

Good Luck!

 

[Zooberwerx]

If the neck isn't looked at and designed accordingly, the vibration transfer is gone and you have a crummy sounding lower register. You can bump the gauge for the B string, and that will help as well, but won't completely address the problem.

My Hilton is a 32" scale and has a tremendously amazing and articulate B string. It can be done, but you have to look at the neck, and not just do the "Fender thing" and say "Oh, the neck needs to be wider? Easy."

I would not resign this to being an inherent, irreparable design fault without first looking at the interaction among the strings, body, and neck. This could be something as simple as sub-optimal coupling between the neck and body and/or a bad / incomplete string install (...hey, that's right up yer alley!). ROTSS = "rule out the simple stuff". I have a couple of ideas but really would like to see some pics.

Riis

 

[Jon Moody]

Steve Araujo has raved about the G&L CLF research L-2000 low B. Are they that good? I have not played a G&L 5 string and I like the idea of having one.

They're great! I've played a couple of Steve's 5st and currently have a L1505 that sounds great. The B string is good, but then again, the neck is SOLID.

I also seem to remember a Sterling bass I had that didn't seem to flop like the Fender. Maybe there is something to that.

Yeah, science.

Somebody just be buying the Fender fives since they still make them.

What's the phrase? Better to be first than best.

 

[Jon Moody]

I would not resign this to being an inherent, irreparable design fault without first looking at the interaction among the strings, body, and neck. This could be something as simple as sub-optimal coupling between the neck and body and/or a bad / incomplete string install (...hey, that's right up yer alley!). ROTSS = "rule out the simple stuff". I have a couple of ideas but really would like to see some pics.

Riis

Neck/body pocket is another spot, sure. It's the sum of all parts, but the neck itself is gonna play a larger role.

 

[80jazz]

Jon, I hope it didn't seem like I was doubting you.

I think I am more picky about details on 5's than I am on 4's. My Fender 5 string probably didn't help.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Neck/body pocket is another spot, sure. It's the sum of all parts, but the neck itself is gonna play a larger role.

That's what I'm talkin' about. The other unknown is break angles, witness points, etc. I'm reluctant to assign culpability to the neck simply because "Fenders are like that".

Riis