Is it bad having two brands of strings on your bass at the same time?

MistaMarko · #1 12-23-2007, 10:07 PM

I have four Ernie Balls and my G string is a Dean Markley..is there any downside to this as far as damaging the neck or anything?

BellBottomBlues · #2 12-23-2007, 10:32 PM

Nope.

EDIT: Your tone will probably sound a bit off...

MysticMichael · #3 12-23-2007, 11:00 PM

Nothing "bad", per se. Other than some possible inconsistency in the feel and/or tone from string to string...

MM

meev992 · #4 12-24-2007, 12:10 AM

I would shell out the money for a matching set, for sake of consistency.

EADG mx · #5 12-24-2007, 01:46 AM

I've heard of basses spontaneously combusting from this

SpaceYourBass · #6 12-24-2007, 03:47 AM

I have a flatwound Chrome for my E string and the rest are TI flats. I had to use a different string for the E because the TI was too loose and buzzy, but I didn't want to adjust my action for that one string. My bass is doing fine, it just took a little while to get used to the inconsistent size of the strings

meev992 · #7 12-24-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADG mx

I've heard of basses spontaneously combusting from this

I've seen it happen at a show, took out the drummer's kit during the explosion.

jasper383 · #8 12-24-2007, 11:56 AM

I've seen necks twist and bow violently from what, I guess, is an attempt to get away from the "foreign" string.

Xenophobes, those necks.

DavePlaysBass · #9 12-24-2007, 12:41 PM

Nothing but a small green pile of ????

bluegreenturtle · #10 12-24-2007, 01:16 PM

As a doublebassist for 25 years, I would point out that most doublebassists at some point mix strings (purposefully). You may want different things out of your lower strings than you want out of your upper strings.

SirCanealot · #11 12-24-2007, 02:24 PM

My E string is a roto swingbass and my A, D, G strings are Elite Chromes. Why? The Elite E string died really quickly, so I just stuck my old Roto E on which was still quite bright. Now I've had the set on for months :P
Getting bored of them though...

Marcury · #12 12-25-2007, 02:55 AM

Yes it's terrible you're bass license should be revoked.

Seriously though, the only problem is if you buy full sets you'll have a bunch of strings sitting around that you'll probably never use.

Hawaii Islander · #13 12-25-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADG mx

I've heard of basses spontaneously combusting from this

My nephew had to use different brands of strings on his BTB for a while because one of his new strings broke. I sounded OK, but he didn't like the difference in feel.

glwanabe · #14 12-25-2007, 06:18 AM

I don't recall the article, but I seem to remember T-bone Woulk would string his P-bass with Rounds on the E and A, then use Flats for D and G.

As already mentioned upright players mix sets all the time. The personality of the bass determines which string they use.
There is a lot more varience with uprights as to how the string vibrates the bass, and produces the tone they are looking for.