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String recommendations?
- Thread starter Gonzowolf
- Start date
What specific make and model of bass do you have? Do you happen to know what kind of strings are on it right now?
Are you talking about the Nickel Slinky roundwound 50-70-85-105? How are you finding them? How do they sound to you? And how do they feel to play on? Anything you don't like about them the way they sound and feel to you?
And again, what bass?
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Everyone has opinions about strings. Everyone except me. What I say about strings is objective. Thank me later.
Just try a set. What are they? $20-25? OK, more for Thomastik Infeld.
But whatever. Try Rotosound 66. Try DR HiBeams, DR Blues, LaBella DTB flats, Dunlop Super Brights, GHS Boomers, EB Slinkys, D'Addario XL Chromes, D'ad NYXL. No way to know what you like until you try a bunch.
And you can play basically anything with any string. So just enjoy the process.
Only real string "advice" I'd give is when you swap a set remember what they are, maybe keep the sleeve in your case. Then if you decide you're in love you know what to get next time.
Just try a set. What are they? $20-25? OK, more for Thomastik Infeld.
But whatever. Try Rotosound 66. Try DR HiBeams, DR Blues, LaBella DTB flats, Dunlop Super Brights, GHS Boomers, EB Slinkys, D'Addario XL Chromes, D'ad NYXL. No way to know what you like until you try a bunch.
And you can play basically anything with any string. So just enjoy the process.
Only real string "advice" I'd give is when you swap a set remember what they are, maybe keep the sleeve in your case. Then if you decide you're in love you know what to get next time.
For those genres, most roundwounds (and even some halfrounds or flats) will get the job done.
Experience will teach you not only what sound you like best, but also how long they last (bass strings cost a lot more than guitar), and how they feel - tension, abrasiveness on fingers (and frets) etc.
Experience will teach you not only what sound you like best, but also how long they last (bass strings cost a lot more than guitar), and how they feel - tension, abrasiveness on fingers (and frets) etc.
I like TI flats on some of my basses. They're not cheap, but they last years.
For the ones that flats don't work with, I like TI rounds.
For the ones that flats don't work with, I like TI rounds.
Strings are very personal. Beyond those personal preferences, there are strings that work on certain basses that will not mesh as well with others.
You’ll get as many different responses as there are respondents. You’ve cast a very wide net.
The only true way to find what really works for you is to lay out some cash and experiment. Start with your best guess and work your way through the labyrinth of options. Sooner or later you’ll land on your preferred set.
This isn’t the easy answer you were looking for, but realistically, there simply is no easy answer.
You’ll get as many different responses as there are respondents. You’ve cast a very wide net.
The only true way to find what really works for you is to lay out some cash and experiment. Start with your best guess and work your way through the labyrinth of options. Sooner or later you’ll land on your preferred set.
This isn’t the easy answer you were looking for, but realistically, there simply is no easy answer.
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It is very personal thing. But with roundwounds (which most bassists use, kind of standard) I have had good experiences with DR hi beams 45-105.
Try also flatwounds like Thomastik JF344 or 7ender 9050. Or 60's classic very heavy La Bella 760M (Jamerson set).
Try also flatwounds like Thomastik JF344 or 7ender 9050. Or 60's classic very heavy La Bella 760M (Jamerson set).
BobDeRosa
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@Gonzowolf are you coming to playing bass from playing guitar?
As guitar players we change strings monthly to keep generating the glorious harmonics that new strings provide.
As bass players some of us cringe at the sound of all the harmonics and string noise associated with new strings. We actually celebrate the tone from new strings after about a week of playing when the harmonics calm down and the note fundamental punches through.
I bring this up because you mentioned that you are new to playing bass. I find myself changing round wound strings every 3 to 6 months, and flat wound strings stay on for years without change.
Welcome to playing bass!
As guitar players we change strings monthly to keep generating the glorious harmonics that new strings provide.
As bass players some of us cringe at the sound of all the harmonics and string noise associated with new strings. We actually celebrate the tone from new strings after about a week of playing when the harmonics calm down and the note fundamental punches through.
I bring this up because you mentioned that you are new to playing bass. I find myself changing round wound strings every 3 to 6 months, and flat wound strings stay on for years without change.
Welcome to playing bass!
Try stainless steel rounds. I don’t know what gauge you currently have but in general 45-105 is middle of the road, 40-100 if you want a lighter set.
I use DR Hi Beams as my go to string and they last a long time, eventually you’ll work out what you like.
I use DR Hi Beams as my go to string and they last a long time, eventually you’ll work out what you like.
My go-to string. I’m willing to try something else but always come back to GHS Boomers. Round core on my G&L 2500 and hex core on the others I own