Bass Strings.

Uh, I'm thinking of buying a set of strings in advance as my current ones are starting to rust.
 
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Before thinking of what strings to buy, you should really think about what kind of tone you’re looking for.

There are three general types of strings:

1) Roundwounds - These are less forgiving to your fingers, and tend to have a brighter sound. Most widely used of the three, I think. Some famous bassists who use roundwounds would be Flea and maybe John Paul Jones.

2) Flatwounds - On the other side of the spectrum lies Flatwounds. These strings are smooth and silky, and are easier on your fingers. Tone-wise, they are generally mellow and deep. They tend to last longer as well. Some famous players who used Flats would be John Deacon and James Jamerson.

3) Groundwound/halfwound - In the middle between Rounds and Flats. This is true in terms of tone, playability and longetivity.

After deciding on the type of strings to get, you should think about the gauge. Thicker gauges usually have a great tone and sound thicker, but are definitely harder to play. If you tune down often, you should get a thicker gauge too.

So what strings should you get?

Sorry to disappoint you, but there really isn’t any conclusive answers! :)

Go out, try as many strings as you can. It may sound expensive, but the forums at Talkbass.com allows you to trade strings easily. Perhaps as a headstart, I’d just recommend you a few strings to look at:

1) Roundwounds - DR Hi-beams, Thomastik Infield Jazz Roundwounds, Rotosound Swing 66

2) Flatwounds - Sadowsky Blacks, Thomastik Infield Jazz Flats, La Bella Deep Talkin’, GHS Brite Flats

3) Halfwounds - I don’t have much experience with these though, so I really have nothing to offer. :(

Like I said, go out and try them strings! :)

Originally posted at http://fuckyeahbass.tumblr.com/post/887360594/i-was-wondering-what-brand-of-bass-strings-would-you
 
I suggest Ernie Ball Super Slinky 0.40 gauge, they're great and not very expensive. If you have more cash to spend, get the Fender Super Bass 7250 strings.

I love K-ON!! too.
 
bass players are also restricted by price when it comes to string selection. sometimes we really want to get a certain brand name but the price is sometimes prohibitive/ not a worthy consideration.
 
I really love the flats sound. But sometimes I love having the rounds sound for a change. But I hate getting string burn from rounds.

Also if you get the chance, do try tapewounds. I was really itching to try one so I got a set second hand online from overseas- can't find them locally, and when I made a thread here asking I got no replies. But I didn't like them. Even more dead that flats. Really really really muted.
 
I have used,
Ernieball slinkies (hate them! they rust too fast. tone wise not too bad)
Daddario XLs Nickel (nice overall sound)
I current favorite Sadowsky blue label (brilliant sounds, perfect for funk/jazz genre I play and since it is stainless steels they dont rust :D) I have been using them for more than 6 months now and they still sound good :D
 
DR DDT is my choice! awesome big tone.

I've tried DDTs. The tone is great but you need to be seriously downtuning. For standard or just Eb tuning the tention and thickness will kill the neck. It almost killed my Wick. Recently switched to Ken Smiths Burners...not bad. Relatively cheap for tapered strings and sounds pretty full. Davis brings them in.
 
IMO, they are a safe bet :D

they are not the WOW strings but tonally good.

if you don't know what tone you like and don't want to risk it because of financial issues? then d'addario would be my choice.
 
Well I'm using the Sadowsky Blues (nickel though, not steel) for my 4'er and the Sadowsky Blacks for my 5'er. Pretty much love em :D
 
anyone tried DR extra life and think they are worth the price? last i checked 5 string black beauties cost S$60-ish. bought D'adarrio in the end but kept wondering how nice the black beauties will sound... :(
 
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