I use the lo B to get those low notes and to also be able to play low riffs higher on the neck at the 5th fret instead of at the nut, especially for tunes in E or F. You have to pick and choose what low notes you play because if you over do it everything turns to mud, my MO is endings or heading into the chorus or bridge or dramatic points. I generally play the octave higher to get note definition and the rumble.

Where did the B string break ?

It broke at the tuning post. I think Bo was right about the tuner, I don't think it could register the low B. I took it to George's Music and bought another B string. The guy there put it on and tuned it for me. It just felt sloppy, but I guess it's supposed to. It sure is a different animal than a 4 string. The neck feels HUGE! The salesman also told me that he never plays an open B. It's kinda like starting over. Thanks, SBJ

Is it possible with the breakage that perhaps your tuner might not register a low B frequency. Sounds silly, I know, but once used a clamp on tuner that couldn't recognize the low B (it clamped onto the headstock; not a plug in type). It could misread the note and cause you to tune too high; thereby snapping the string. Just a shot in the dark there.

The low B is handy for playing in a bit more comfortable position when playing in E or F and really useful for playing in D when you don't want to use drop D on a four. When I use my low B string, I rarely go lower than D because I feel like I get mud any lower than that.

Congrats on the new bass.

Bo

Well, just a thought, here, but I string all my
basses with a high C, instead of a low B. I
started doing this about a week after I got my
first fiver, and never looked back.

As Brad says, over-using a low B can turn
everything to mud, and I know I am going against
convention here, but I find a string that I can
use wherever I am on the fretboard to be a good
deal more useful than one that is pretty much
only good for giving me five lower notes, or, as
you say, a thumb rest..

Kelly

For me, it's not about the frequency of use as much as perfecting my basslines. I've ended up using the thing at least once in 4 out of our 6 originals. And only once in one of them. Sometimes the note can still be played on the E string, but that particular note in that part of that particular song just sounds so much better on the B string.. While the same note will sometimes sound better on the E string in a different song.

Beyond perfecting the sound, sometimes it's just easier to play a particular piece with some notes on the B.

My $0.02

John,

I am certainly not saying that a B string is
useless. :)

It really depends on what you need, what kinds of
tunes you are playing, and so on. I just find a
high C makes more sense for me, and for me, it is
often a lot easier to play certain notes on the C.

I just thought that if someone suddenly found
themselves with a low B, and they weren't sure
what to do with it, the switch to a high C might
be a good option.

Kelly

Hey Kelly, well spoken!

I prefer the low B, it provides some good alternatives to play contemporary songs since most of them are played on a 5-string.
I recently bought a Hfner violin bass and it's great ot rediscover the charms of a 4-string!

Sean ;)

Thanks, Sean. :)

I really like my high C strung basses, and I only
have one four string: my Regal resonator acoustic.
It's a lovely instrument for hauling to parties
and jamming with people who are playing acoustic
guitars, but I find myself really missing that
high C.

Wow, a real Hofner? Those things ain't cheap.
About $2500 several years ago, prolly about three
grand, these days? Okay, I know, with the
discount, you could maybe pay two, then there's
used, but still...

Kelly

Kelly,

Didn't mean to direct the comment straight at you. I visit a lot of forums and this is the only one that works the replies like this. I just meant to add a general comment to the topic, but clicked the first reply button I saw. Sorry about that! =)

John,

No problem whatsoever. :)

Kelly

LOL Kelly...due to the global economic crisis I really can't afford a 2500$ Hfner at all. I bought a Chinese Hfner Comtemporary Series for about 600$, guitar case included. I once owned a genuine German Hfner some 30 years ago and I must say, the one I have now is really better sounding, more tone-steady (Hfners tend to detune rather quickly)and is really up-to-date in feel and looks. I can really recommend it...it is SO light to play, ideal for bassplayers with backproblems!

High C heers!


Sean ;)

Ah, I had forgotten that they had come out with that
line. :)

Can you tell me how high C is tuned? Am I tuning the B up a half step to a C? Then the rest are tuned like a 4 string?
Thanks for your input, I could have never gotten as far with the bass if it wasn't for AB members!
SBJ

The C would be a fourth above the G string.

C
G
D
A
E

I think that's what you're asking.

Also remember that if the bass was adjusted to have a low B and you restring it with a high C the tension in the neck might change, so maybe you will need to adjust the rod.

Enrique

Yes, good point Enrique.

This would also be true
if the replacing 5 string
set was thicker or thinner
than what was on the bass.

Yes, and intonate it, and maybe even replace the
nut...

In short, it will probably require a complete setup.

And, yes, what I meant was what Wayne explained.

Kelly