Untapered B Strings??? HELP.

jcburn

jcburn

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Hi everyone - I have decided that tapered B strings are just not for me. Can anyone tell me an UNtapered B that would fit into my Warwick without having to file the side out of the base plate? I have been interested in DÁddario XL's. Tried EB Power Slinkies (admittedly with a .135 B)and it goes nowhere near fitting.
Thanks everyone.
 
Sorry to intrude but what's wrong with tapered strings?
I can not recommend D'Addario nickels enough.
 
Tapered B's generally result in better action, intonation and sustain. I'm wondering what your experience has been that is leading you toward untapered B's.

There is no untapered B that I'm aware of that will fit the Warwick tailpiece without modification. I recommend modification of the string - crimp the ball end with some pliers to flatten the string - rather than filing the tail piece. At some point, you may want to part with your bass, and many folks may not be overly excited to see a filed tail piece.
 
+1 to the above, just squash the string a bit, been doing it for years.

Also interested why you dont like the tappered "B".... Especially on a wick..

Cheers
Rusty
 
rusty said:
+1 to the above, just squash the string a bit, been doing it for years.

Also interested why you dont like the tappered "B".... Especially on a wick..

Cheers
Rusty
Click to expand...

Brilliant! I hadn't thought of doing that. I recently bought some Hartke bass strings for my 2 5 string fretted basses that weren't tapered. Seeing that they wouldn't fit my Buzzard I just decided to use them on my Gibson Studio 5 String. They seem to work well on that bass, but honestly I prefer the taper. They aren't so "floppy" feeling.
 
Thanks guys - my issue is that with a tapered B, even thought the action is nice and low the bridge piece has to sit quite high. I usually/mostly play with a pick and the little piece that the string rests over on the B digs into my hand a little. An untapered B would allow me to have that piece sitting lower and I think alleviate the problem.
 
I guess it's all in my head, but the 3 times I tried tapered strings I thought they sounded "thin". The B string just felt like I used the wrong size...
1st set = ? came on used Thumb, 2nd set = DR and 3rd set = Ken Smith .

So I filed my bridge
 
I use EMPS by Warwick and have no problems. also the Rotosounds sounded good but they were too harsh for ma fingayrs. :)
 
I will go with the crimping of the string with my beloved EB slinky's and report back on the result. Thanks for help everyone!
 
Hey all - EB Slinkies no good - couldn't crimp it flat enough. Tried some Rotosounds - no crimping required but feel spongy - not enough tension. Next on the list D'addario XL's I feel.
I will report back.
 
I find that medium light strings fit perfectly with no modification, although I can understand if they aren't for you.

I prefer mediums and go with Warwick Black Labels but they are tapered. I also play fingerstyle and when playing with a pick; don't anchor my hand anywhere unless to mute.
 
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Give elixers a go if you can afford them. they are tappered but have a killer "B" string.

Im also coming around to EMP's again, athough the B isnt as beefy as the elixers..

Rusty
 




Don't be scared off of filing the
stop tail. It's an affordable and
easily replaceable part, which
means this is a reversible mod,
which means it's acceptable to
even a seriously anal/OCD type
of buyer ... IF they even notice
the mod. Work neatly. Acoarst,
you WILL remove the piece if
you choose work on it, right ?
​

 
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jcburn said:
Hey all - EB Slinkies no good - couldn't crimp it flat enough. Tried some Rotosounds - no crimping required but feel spongy - not enough tension. Next on the list D'addario XL's I feel.
I will report back.
Click to expand...

Hi mate...i use eb slinkys on my warwick 5 and admit that it is a bit of a struggle to get the B into the tail piece but it can be done. Just looking at my bass now and can see the string sitting in there pretty nicely, although i have had these on for about 4 months now so not sure if they work their way into the tail piece more over time.
 
Nix the pliers idea and use vice-grips. When they cam over you can get a lot more squeeze to the string. I've not met a string I couldn't get in the TP.
 
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Def recommend squeezing the strings, works fine, is easy to do and you don't have to hack at your bass hardware...
 
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