Low B on 30" scale

[KingRazor]

I know there's at least a few of you rocking this in some form or other. For those of you using a short scale bass with a low B (whether a 5/6 string or BEAD tuning), what brands and gauges have worked well for you? Any tips? I don't have one yet so I don't have any specific issues I'm trying to solve, just want to avoid any issues with b string being too floppy or having tuning issues. I'm not overly heavy-handed in my playing.

 

[KingRazor]

Anyone?

 

[ajkula66]

I don't have an answer that you're looking for, but will say this much: nothing Gibson or Guild-related is likely to make you happy. I've experimented a lot with several short-scale basses from these two manufacturers in the BEAD format and haven't been pleased with the results.

Even though I play mostly short scale basses nowadays, I bowed down and got a long scale fiver.

Obviously, YMMV.

Good luck.

 

[KingRazor]

I don't have an answer that you're looking for, but will say this much: nothing Gibson or Guild-related is likely to make you happy. I've experimented a lot with several short-scale basses from these two manufacturers in the BEAD format and haven't been pleased with the results.

Even though I play mostly short scale basses nowadays, I bowed down and got a long scale fiver.

Obviously, YMMV.

Good luck.

So far I'm eyeing a Fender Mustang bass.

 

[ajkula66]

So far I'm eyeing a Fender Mustang bass.

I wish you luck, but am not overly optimistic.

 

[Beej]

IME to get a good b in a short scale, you need a heavier string, a stiff neck beam (nut to bridge), and a really solid bridge join. Bonus points for a pickup closer to the bridge to help with clarity of tone. Also IMHO, the mustang will be hit and miss. Could get a great sound, might get crap.

 

[Island Thumper]

Beej is right--solid construction makes a HUGE difference on shorty B-strings.

I liked these in both flats and nickel plated:

• Dunlop Flatwound Electric Bass Strings Short Scale Set - 5-String 45-125
• Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Plated Steel Electric Bass Strings Short Scale Set - 5-String 45-125

(check Fretnation, no relation to Jason). You might need longer for a Mustang if you're going string through. I play a regular length set of TI Jazz Round cut down for a headless 5-string 30" (the gauges are way lighter than normal 34" scales even). It takes a while lightening your touch, but I think folks would have a hard time hearing the difference if they didn't know (as another TB'er recently said).

BEAD on a Mustang might be a pain if you use the the heavy 4 strings from a 5-string set as I'm not sure the B-string fit through the bridge/ferrule and break angle might have been funny. I also had to file the nut down on a 4-string Mikro to get the heavier strings to fit. A Mustang with TI short scale flats tuned E-G, however, is a different beast altogether. If you want a good shorty five'er, you pretty much have to go custom right now, or try the Mikro 5 (it was just heavy for it's size, I thought).

 

[AMp'D.2play]

Anyone?

You may get more traffic if you have this thread moved to the Strings sub-forum.

But to answer your question, my 31" scale 5er currently has Curt Mangan short-scale Nickels with a .130 B string. (34.75" winding length) I'm very happy with them, and they're also the strings that the builder suggested for this bass. Prior to my purchase, the dealer had installed D'Addarios of some sort; probably an XL 4-set with a single B. They were ok, but I like the Mangans better.

I also have a set of short-scale DR Sunbeams with a .125 B string that I will try sometime soon, too. They have a 33.75" winding length. I don't recall ever playing Sunbeams before, but as far as round-core DR strings go, I've always been satisfied with Fat Beams on a long-scale bass, so only time will tell.

 

[micguy]

The floppy B string problem is primarily a string problem - the gauges that string makers use for their B strings are too small - you get low tension and floppiness. I like REALLY low tension strings, but the B strings on my 5'ers (to get tension to about 35 pounds) are 130's - that goes well with a 95 E string. If you want that same (what I wold think of as minimum) tension at 30 inches, you're looking at a gauge of about 150. Try to push it smaller, and you'll be in flop city.

 

[Green Knight]

I had Dunlop flats--the expensive kind in the nondescript brown packaging--and they were really bright for flats, with good tension on the B string. It didn't sound like a Dingwall or anything, but the semi-tones under E were more than discernible. It was on an Atelier 30" fiver. Subsequent to that, I owned a 31" Birdsong Hi-5 but found the B only marginally better. I'm interested in the new Ibanez EHB1005SMS fanned fret shorty but would like to read a couple more reviews from TBers who've made that plunge.

 

[salcott]

Jake Serek is making 5 string basses.

 

[Beej]

Jake Serek is making 5 string basses.

Shortest scale on his 5s is 32” though.

 

[funkinbottom]

I have four 5 string sub 34" scale all with flats. A 30" scale which is strung with LaBella Deep Talkin' flats .045 .065 .085 .105 .128: Two 31" scale with Dunlop Flats .045 .065 .085 .105 .125: One 32" scale that wears Dr Legends .045 .065 .085 .105 .125. The Dunlops were the brightest when first put on, followed by the DR Legends, with the LaBella sounding already broken in from the start. All have mellowed after a few weeks of playing and sound very good. I don't find the B string to be particularly "floppy" on any of the sets, though the LaBella and Legends do seem a little more stable, but the Dunlops seem just fine to me. I'm more of a pocket player and don't hammer that B like some of the more harder rock guys, so the .128 and.125 B works very well for me.
I go back and forth as to which is my favorite, but if I absolutely had to pick only one, I suppose it would be the LaBella DTFs.

 

[Killing Floor]

Birdsong has it figured out.

 

[roller]

I just parted ways with a Serek Midwestern 2 (30.5" scale) that was strung with La Bella nicked-wrapped rounds with a .125 B. I thought it felt great... not floppy in my opinion... and most importantly, it sounded great. Note: the bass only had one single-coil pickup.

I've tried other short-scale 5'ers with DR Legends. DR makes a decent string.

I know there's at least a few of you rocking this in some form or other. For those of you using a short scale bass with a low B (whether a 5/6 string or BEAD tuning), what brands and gauges have worked well for you? Any tips? I don't have one yet so I don't have any specific issues I'm trying to solve, just want to avoid any issues with b string being too floppy or having tuning issues. I'm not overly heavy-handed in my playing.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Birdsong has it figured out.

I should be collecting a commisson from Scott...

 

[Jazz Ad]

E string on 30" is already hard to do well. Maybe if you used steel or concrete to do the neck.

 

[spade2you]

I have yet to play a short scale 5 string. Many moons ago, I saw someone locally with an Epiphone SG bass of some sort that was 30" scale and tuned BEAD with regular strings. Sounded about like you think it would. Cliff Bordwell makes an outstanding 32" scale low B, but not cheap.

Why do you need 30" scale? Is it something that technique and/or the right neck could fix? I only ask because most guitarists and bassists generally don't focus on technique until injury. I'm short, enjoy big basses, and have some light wear and tear on my body from other injuries.

 

[micguy]

E string on 30" is already hard to do well. Maybe if you used steel or concrete to do the neck.

A shorter neck is stiffer than a longer neck - the neck isn't where the problem with a good low B is on a short scale. The string (being too skinny, mostly) is where the problems show up. The reason a 30 inch 5 string is a challenge isn't that the scale is too short, it's that the string makers don't make good B strings for short scales. Heck, the ones for 34 or 35 inch scales aren't even made right.

 

[KingRazor]

Why do you need 30" scale? Is it something that technique and/or the right neck could fix? I only ask because most guitarists and bassists generally don't focus on technique until injury. I'm short, enjoy big basses, and have some light wear and tear on my body from other injuries.

Not sure why you'd come to that conclusion? "Need" never had anything to do with it.