Which flats or tapewounds for ABG?

[Rusty the Scoob]

I'm getting my first ABG after owning 30+ electrics and three uprights. I prefer the feel and sound of flats (I'm a P-bass/LaBella guy at heart) and would like to retain some usable unplugged volume on my ABG. (Guild B140-E) Anyone out there tried a lot of different ABG strings?

 

[Gorn]

and would like to retain some usable unplugged volume on my ABG.

Usable how?

 

[tfer]

Usable how?

Without using bronze strings, any usable volume is a thing of the past!

 

[Rusty the Scoob]

Usable how?

Usable like it could be heard next to a mandolin or uke, or a guitar player strumming lightly or playing a solo, etc. Strictly backstage or campfire jamming with musicians who know how to use dynamics.

So bronze strings are that much louder than any others?

 

[Gorn]

Usable like it could be heard next to a mandolin or uke, or a guitar player strumming lightly or playing a solo, etc. Strictly backstage or campfire jamming with musicians who know how to use dynamics.

So bronze strings are that much louder than any others?

You could put phosphor bronze strings on an acoustic and set the action high and play really, really hard and as long as any other instrumentalists are constantly making sure to play as quietly as they possibly can while you're playing as loudly as you possibly can, then you might be heard a little bit.

Or you could use a small amp.

 

[mikeoso]

Many people on this forum have unrealistic ideas about what is usable volume from an ABG. It isn't meant to pound out like an electric. What you describe is where an ABG is supposed to be used unplugged. That Guild will be heard in the environment you describe if you have a heavy right hand...just don't expect fast light play...you have to play it like a doghouse. Use the strings you like for sound and feel....I prefer tapewounds. A higher setup will make more power.