Ibanez AGB200 Artcore - What kind of strings?

Oct 17, 2021
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I see that a lot of people put flatwounds on these. I've a nylon (nylong covered?) string on mine (was on it when I bought it). I'm looking to use it largely for country/blue grass. I'd love to have as close to a stand up bass sound as possible. Are flatwounds the way to go? If so, what are the recommendations? Since it's a somewhat short scale, I know true short scale strings won't work. I saw that someone uses custom strings. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I recently picked one up that had rounds on it. Switched them for LaBella black tape wounds and didn't like the feel. Went with LaBella Deep Talking Flats and it's good to go. Whatever you choose it needs medium scale strings.
For Country/Bluegrass I'd use some foam behind the bridge pup, like it was said above pluck close to the neck and you'll get a nice thump.
 
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I recently picked one up that had rounds on it. Switched them for LaBella black tape wounds and didn't like the feel. Went with LaBella Deep Talking Flats and it's good to go. Whatever you choose it needs medium scale strings.
For Country/Bluegrass I'd use some foam behind the bridge pup, like it was said above pluck close to the neck and you'll get a nice thump.


Hey, thanks. I just ordered the Hofner version of the LaBells Deep Talkin' Flats. So, I hope they are the right length, from the description on Sweetwater and the information I could find on Ibanez's site and other threads here, I think that was the right choice.
 
TI Jazz flats or D'Addario Black Nylon Tape wounds. Jazz Flats are very low tension and last 5-6 years. Get sorta standup bass sound plucking the string at or over the neck.
TI Jazz flats or D'Addario Black Nylon Tape wounds. Jazz Flats are very low tension and last 5-6 years. Get sorta standup bass sound plucking the string at or over the neck.


I decided to go with the LaBella's first. It has black tapewounds on it, but I don't like the sound on the higher strings, but it may be just that the strings are old. I decided to try the TI's last because I couldn't find them in a medium scale and the price is about double the LaBella's so I thought I'd try the LaBella's first. Thanks for your help.
 
How are you liking those La Bella beatle flats?
Just bought the same bass and the dead d'addario rounds have got to go.
Was it the 760FHBB or FHB2 versions?
Choosing between the La Bellan and the TI's. A little worried that the TI's medium scale ones will be even floppier than the long scale ones. I like the mid heavy tone of the TI but never tried La Bellas.
How is the string tension on the La Bellas? Is the E string super muddy and dead?
I am just full of questions today!
Any input appreciated. It is a lovely looking and feeling bass!
 
TI's "short scale" is actually 35.5" in winding length (ball end to silk), which is longer than the "medium scale" by most other companies, which ranges between 34" and 35.5".

Thanks for the info. If I get sick of the La Bella's, I may give them a try. As it is right now, I'm not playing this bass as much as I thought I might.
 
How are you liking those La Bella beatle flats?
Just bought the same bass and the dead d'addario rounds have got to go.
Was it the 760FHBB or FHB2 versions?
Choosing between the La Bellan and the TI's. A little worried that the TI's medium scale ones will be even floppier than the long scale ones. I like the mid heavy tone of the TI but never tried La Bellas.
How is the string tension on the La Bellas? Is the E string super muddy and dead?
I am just full of questions today!
Any input appreciated. It is a lovely looking and feeling bass!


So far, I like the La Bella's. Better than the tapewound anyway. I might try another brand of tapewounds. I purchased the
760FHB2
 
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Seems that a lot of people are loving the look and quality of it but not so much the sound. Is that the case? Is it the pickups, the electronics or what? I have only playes mine for an hour and hope that flats will bring out vintage tones and woody hollow sound. I did find the use of the tone knob somewhat limited. The tonal character is not lifeless but a bit subdued. I wonder if changing the caps or pots could make it come alive and the tone knob be more usefull?
I wanted it to sound like Jethro: Bourrée or Them: Baby Blue but got Alice in Chains: would
 
I changed the pickup height and damn it sounds great!!! Neck pickup beefy, growly and full and neck pickup more lively. And both pickups on is a great sound. It even sounds cool when slapping!
Haven't even put flats on it but this is a super versatile beauty!! I still miss a blend instead of switch but that is just being picky. I thought I would use it on maybe 30% of the songs and mainly as a thump machine that looks cool. But this can do almost anything with som EQ!
 
I changed the pickup height and damn it sounds great!!! Neck pickup beefy, growly and full and neck pickup more lively. And both pickups on is a great sound. It even sounds cool when slapping!
Haven't even put flats on it but this is a super versatile beauty!! I still miss a blend instead of switch but that is just being picky. I thought I would use it on maybe 30% of the songs and mainly as a thump machine that looks cool. But this can do almost anything with som EQ!

Sorry for the late reply. To be honest, I haven't been playing it much lately. I did like the change to the flats. The string tension is pretty tight though. So, I'm not in love with that. I haven't adjusted anything else yet, and for a number of reasons, I've set the tone as low as it will go and have left it there for most of what I've been using it for.
 
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Interesting.
I thought the fhb2 were the lower gauge beatle flats from la bella. So if they are tight then the TI JF324 or 324f should be lower in tension. I think the Pyramid gold are somewhere in the middle.
I hope you find a way to appreciate the agb200, I really dig mine after some tweaking