Bass Strings.
- Thread starter -Rhythm
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cool-beans
New member
Er... What's wrong with your current ones?
The selection process for strings is extremely subjective.
The selection process for strings is extremely subjective.
cool-beans
New member
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
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
cool-beans
New member
Never had a good experience with Ernie Ball strings, personally. They just sound really, really dead.
subversion
Moderator
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.
Composer of Requiems
New member
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.
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.
cool-beans
New member
True - its all subjective. But I do like flats, and I'm using Sadowsky black. It's just that the EB slinkys didn't sound right.
Morlock
New member
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
) I have been using them for more than 6 months now and they still sound good
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
) I have been using them for more than 6 months now and they still sound good 
prophecy6972
New member
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.
Indigo_blues
New member
the sadowsky blue labels at TYMC are quite cheap too.. can give them a shot.
s0undasleep
New member
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...
