which ABG strings for Dean Playmate EAB acoustic bass?

[Gear_Junky]

hey, all. i'm sure this was discussed many times, now, but i thought i'd ask with a specific bass and application in mind.

i just got the bass as a "blem" item, so i got a really nice price.

as you may know, this is about the largest acoustic bass guitar out there and it's better known for its acoustic/unplugged tone.

that is exactly my goal - how do i further maximize the unplugged volume (or ability to cut through acoustic guitars) and also maximize longevity.

My current options are flatwounds (fenders) or even fender tapewounds, which are brighter and last forever.

but i have to ask if there are any bronze flatwounds out there and also how do the nylon-cores sound compared to steel-core flats (or rounds) and if they would even work on a long-scale.

all suggestions welcome, but please describe the tone you're getting, especially compared to other strings you've tried (if you can).

Thanks!

[Gear_Junky]

oh, and i'm also wondering if heavier strings will also make the bass louder/punchier?

and do you usually have to enlarge the nut grooves for going up 1 gauge (like lights to medium lights or med. lights to mediums)?

[Gear_Junky]

to bump or not to bump? or let the question drown?

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Gear_Junky

My current options are flatwounds (fenders) or even fender tapewounds, which are brighter and last forever.

I don't understand this statement. Via mail order you have access to all brands and types of strings. Go to juststrings.com and take a look. You can use electric bass strings on your ABG as long as they are the right length and will fit through the holes in the bridge.

Also, I'm not sure why you characterize tapewounds as being brighter than flats - I have a fretless with Fender tapewounds and I don't consider them even close to being as bright as other strings.

Fender flats have a rep as being high tension, and therefore I would have some reservations about using them on an ABG - not so much for the neck as wondering about their effect on the bridge and front panel of the ABG over time.

Personally, I've just received a set of D'Addario Chromes which I plan to install on my Applause AE-40 ABG. From what I've heard, the Chromes are fairly bright for flatwounds - and I'm not a fan of roundwounds.

[Gear_Junky]

i have access to any strings, yes, but considering their cost, i would rather spare myself 3 or 4 wrong sets, which is about the cost of my bass.

my goal is maximizing unplugged volume, so considering that the ovations are meant to only be played plugged in, we probably would have different strings choices.

Can anybody comment whether fender flats would really be too high-tension for an ABG?

[Gear_Junky]

I'm wondering how many people actually use acoustic bronze roundwounds versus steel or nickly flatwounds on their Dean ABG?

I know it can be "buzzy", but I wonder if good bronze strings will make it more "acoustic-ky"

[Buskman]

I think TB'er 'Philbiker' says it best (credit goes to him):

"If you want it to sound like an Acoustic bass GUITAR, the phosphor bronze strings are the way to go. Sound bright and squeaky - great for accompanying an acoustic guitar player. If you want it to sound like an Acoustic BASS guitar, the nylon tapes do that well."

Post is from this thread: Acoustic Bass Strings

[Gear_Junky]

Originally Posted by Buskman

...If you want it to sound like an Acoustic BASS guitar, the nylon tapes do that well...

yes, that's cute, and that would be better for accompanying what?

[millbrook]

yes, that's cute, and that would be better for accompanying what?

Ukuleles!