Acoustic Bass strings on an Electric Bass?

[Sojhen]

I am curious to know... would it make any difference if I put acoustic bass strings on my electric bass? Would it change the tone? Would the gauge be off? Would the strings be wound differently?

The question popped into my head, and I knew exactly where to go...
Thanks for your time guys, I appreciate it greatly..

[engedi1]

To my shame, I have tried this once, with some old DB strings I didn't want anymore. It doesn't work. First of all, many DB strings don't have the right core to be magnetic, as they don't need to be! Therefor, if you get any sound at all, it is weak and ineffectual. Also, the gauges are way wrong, you will have to cut them way to short, bottom line, don't do it!

[Sojhen]

A fellow bassist friend of mine did it, and he was wondering, if it made a difference,.. that makes sense about the magnetics and such,... figured it would be wound differently...

The strings are Ernie Ball, stainless steel, roundwound..in a green package...
and the gauges are:
50
70
85
105

[Cannabass]

it should work fine, but i'll bet the tone just wont be great.

the problems described by this guy above would only be present with DB sstrings, not ABG strings

should be the right length, guage sounds fine

tell us how it goes

[TheMutt]

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'd love to be wrong), but I'm sure there was a thread in the past I remember reading (I too was curious about this exact thing a while back) that said that while ABG strings aren't completely non-magnetic, they will output little to no sound at all depending on your pickups. This is because they are mainly made out of bronze instead of steel or nickel-plated steel.

If you're looking for a string that will give you a more upright feel, I'd suggest trying some nylon tapewounds such as (opens a link to juststrings.com, but you can search around for the best prices):
Fender 9120's
GHS 3060's
La Bella 760N's
RotoSound RS88's (My personal favorite)

[waleross]

How about the other way around ? Take a messed up String Bass and cut electric bass spaces in the wood and stick them in there, at least you'll get a sound. If you do that then I want to see pictures......

[Bass-Adrenaline]

Ernie ball makes steel acoustic bass strings that come in a green package? Have any pics?

Last i checked the package you are describing is a nickel wound set. Their accoustic set doesnt even come in that gauge range no are they steel.

[nic salsus]

Are you talking about bronze ABG strings or double bass strings? Bronze will sorta work but your pickup output will be cut waaaaay down. Upright strings will not work. Even if they did fit through your bridge the E and A would probably break where they made the turn around the tuner....they don't like being wound onto the tuner post past the taper onto the fat part of the string.

[JTE]

Bronze strings won't have much magnetic output so if you put those on your electric, you'll most likely be disappointed. Only the core wire is magnetic on those strings. Double bass strings would also have problems.

John

[Sojhen]

Yea, my friend said he wasn't sure if they were acoustic strings or not.. the gauge is slightly thicker then what I have on my bass.. So.. I dunno...
I think he should be fine...

[Bass-Adrenaline]

Is this the package?