ABG strings

[quarternote]

Just bought my first acoustic bass, and it has round wounds, too much string noise. It is a 34 scale bass and I would like to try flat wound strings. Are ABG strings any different that electric strings? Or, what is recommended?

[Davo-London]

Tomastik do very good acousticore and flat strings. Both perfect for ABGs

Davo

[JustDavid]

IME "ABG strings" are phosphor-bronze, a brighter-sounding string. I hate their sound, but I'm not you. Due to the brightness, they will be louder than flats.

I'd recommend you get a set of strings you like the sound of, and that fit your playing situations. I personally would be very cautious with higher-tension strings on an ABG.

[Mushroo]

I personally use TI Acousticore strings on my ABG. They are very flexible and easy to play, sound amazing through an amp, and are too quiet unamplified for all but the mellowest of jams with other musicians. YMMV.

String noise is simply a matter of good technique; you can work on this in your lessons with your teacher. ABG is a different animal than electric so don't expect to sound amazing overnight without practice.

[254 stringer]

I have LaBella tapewounds on my Ibanez AEB and they are great. I had to widen the nut slots a little and the hole in the bridge so the E would fit with the peg but they have been on for about three years and no problems with the bridge pulling up or any neck issues.

[gary m]

D'Addario tapewounds, gauged 50-105. Less tension than LaBellas, less expensive and better sound, too!

[One Bad Monkey]

I switched the AEB strings that were on my Warwick Alien with a set of GHS Super Steel Contact Core (they were used and sitting around the house, so why not try them?). They're still as bright as the originals, but don't have that annoying "zing" that only the bronze/phosphor sets have. Plus, they don't make my fingers black like the originals did; after five minutes of playing, I need to wash my hands.