Acoustic Bass Strings...1st timer

KBarker · #1 05-24-2009, 07:15 PM

Hi Folks,

I have an Epiphone El Captian acoustic bass...and I need some new strings. Most of what I play is praise & worship music, pretty mellow, so I am looking for a nice warm tone. This is my first string change on the acoustic bass, so I'm not sure what the right kind to get are.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance...

Ken

Gintaras · #2 05-25-2009, 07:32 PM

I replaced the original strings on my El Capitan with GHS Precision flatwounds. Lost volume but plugged in the sound was less clanky and more thump. These came from a recommendation on a post i started about 6 months ago. I do want to try a set of Acousticore's next.

pfschim · #3 05-25-2009, 08:13 PM

not sure what p/u's your bass has, but if it is piezo equipped you should consider the Thomas Infeld Acoustic Core strings. Very nice warm acoustic tone.

I use them on a Rick Turner Renaissance fretless and they sound great on that bass. A used set even makes a cheap Musicians Friend fretless acoustic sound good.

good luck

ByF · #4 05-25-2009, 09:52 PM

I went through a few sets of strings on my Michael Kelly before I setting in with Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats.

Ed

Craigster · #5 05-25-2009, 10:20 PM

I play a Breedlove ABG and recently put on Fender nylon tape wound strings and I really love the sound closer to an upright than anything else I found and they feel great.

Are you plugging in? I had to order them from GC but they were under $20 for the set so they're a good buy.

SPYD3R #9 · #6 05-25-2009, 11:07 PM

i use D'addario for my Brunswick ABG, sounds good in mid section..

Philbiker · #7 05-26-2009, 08:11 AM

Like any bass, the real only answer is for you to try different strings and see what you like. Good suggestions here to get you started.

Here's my experience with my Thunderchief - it came with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings which I thought were OK. I replaced them with Elixer acoustic bass guitar strings phosphor bronze with their crazy coating which were OK, but kind of muted compared to the D'Addarios. When the coating was flaking off real bad I did another set. When the coating on the second set was flaking off I tried some LaBella Nylon tapewounds. I liked them, but the sound was too midrangey and not bright enough for my tastes, and I was concerned that they were putting too much tension on the bass.

So I replaced them with - D'Addario phosphor bronze like the original strings on the bass!!! So far those are my favorites and I have no intention to try anything else. It took me years and $$$ to get back to the stockers! They sound fantastic and play wonderfully.

Cy_Miles · #8 06-10-2009, 01:05 AM

I too like D'Addario phosphor bronze and consider the the "safe buy" strings. I have never been disappointed with D'Addario strings.

But I have recently discovered Fender Nyon tape wound and am crazy about them. I have put them on my electric and my Thunderchief and I cannot say enough about them. You know how you feel when you pick up a real nice guitar that makes you play new things like younever have? That is how these strings are. I can't get over how good the feel and how nice they sound. They are deap and rich without being flat. They are a round wound string covered with a flat nylon tape.

tremblap · #9 06-10-2009, 02:19 AM

IF volume is not an issue, the Thomastik Infelt Acousticore is what I use. On a fretless, I get a sound which is a warm blend of classical guitar and double bass!

lovely!

pa

MNAirHead · #10 06-10-2009, 03:02 AM

If anyone needs a set of bronzes - I'd cut someone a deal on a new set listed - want them to go to a good home PM or check an older ad the classifieds.

fretlessguy · #11 06-10-2009, 04:36 AM

I have had success with both Fender nylon tapewounds and GHS Precision flats on my ABGs. I do not like putting high tension strings on them.

FG

old-fashioned · #12 06-10-2009, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tremblap

IF volume is not an issue, the Thomastik Infelt Acousticore is what I use. On a fretless, I get a sound which is a warm blend of classical guitar and double bass!

lovely!

pa

+1
I use TI Acousticores on my fretted ABG and love them. But I have to warn you about really low string tension.

The next ones I'll try will be nylon tapewound ones. This time sometimes too high tension becomes an issue I'm afraid. If there's anyone who has some experiences with different brands' nylon tapewound strings, it would have been very kind of him/her to compare them tensionwise.

FYI: There is an acoustic bass fetish club in talkbass. Join it

MNAirHead · #13 06-10-2009, 05:23 AM

Tapes..

I have a MK5fretless.

We're lucky to have a real guitar store - run by the owners..

WE searched for the thinnest guage tapes.. GHS was it.

T.

old-fashioned · #14 06-10-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

WE searched for the thinnest guage tapes.. GHS was it.

T.

Thanks.
So do you use them? How do you like them?

RJMiller · #15 06-10-2009, 06:06 AM

Tacoma 4 string Thunderchief came with Elixer bronze.

Tried Status tapewound. However, the tapewounds have a different tone than bronze - less resonance, more thud.

Tried D'Addario flat wound. Not as bright as Elixers. Thought the tension might be too high for the bridge.

TI acousticore. Dark resonant sound and has the bronze string tonal characteristics. Play in church in a guitar group with 2 acoustic guitars that use picks. The bronze TI have more of the acoustic guitar tone than the tapes or flats and IMHO blend better. Also have a piano in the group and it surprised me how much the TI sounded like the piano bass strings. Maybe not surprising since most bass piano strings have bronze windings to increase the mass. TI were not as loud as the Elixers, but I had to be amplified anyway to be heard with a piano in the group. Tacoma is a 4 string so didn't have to deal with the low B acousticore - which is way to floppy for my taste.

If you like the bronze tonal characteristics, I'd go with the TI. Expensive, but last a long time.

Good luck,

RJM

Lokire · #16 06-10-2009, 10:29 PM

I've been using TI Jazz Rounds with my Thunderchief. They're higher tension than the acousticores, so you can still dig in a bit to get some volume (which is pretty decent on the Thunderchief!). But they're still very low-tension for rounds and feel great. Super easy to play. Plus they have a naturally organic and mellow tone that seems to work very well with ABGs.

uptowndirt · #17 06-13-2009, 12:35 AM

i need a new string as well....i want a bright string as i don't plug
this bass in......it is an ibenez and the strings that came on it are dead sounding. i also have an ovation and the strings on it are very bright.....don't know the brand ....anyway i want a string that jumps out at you and projects for days.....i would like to avoid the bass string orama as with my electrics where i tried 5
different makes and spent too many not extra dollars..............

Philbiker · #18 06-13-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uptowndirt

i need a new string as well....i want a bright string as i don't plug
this bass in......it is an ibenez and the strings that came on it are dead sounding. i also have an ovation and the strings on it are very bright.....don't know the brand ....anyway i want a string that jumps out at you and projects for days.....i would like to avoid the bass string orama as with my electrics where i tried 5
different makes and spent too many not extra dollars..............

I know what you mean about how much it costs to find the right strings for a bass. They last a long time though so when you do find them you can keep them on forever. At least I do. The D'Addarios that I like are pretty bright, as are the Elizer Phosphor Bronze strings.

Gintaras · #19 06-13-2009, 04:48 PM

I just put a set of DR Rare Phosphor Bronze on my El Capitan last night. So far I really like the sound. A little too bright for me but I read that they will mellow. I could not find much on reviews for the these strings but I have 5 different sets of DR's on my other basses and have become a loyal fan. So I tried them and was pleasantly suprised. They sounded good both plugged and unplugged. I was planning to get a set of Acousticores but twice the price turned me off.

Now I am planning to change the electronics. Have heard great reviews on the K&K transducer
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...fm?prodID=1442