Beginner string help!

[Fab4ever]

Hello all. I'm one of those millions of guitar players who's finally purchased a bass - an SX, the P-bass with the Jazz pickup in the bridge. I should get it today. I assume I will upgrade the pickups and perhaps the bridge... but first I'm gonna have to get strings.

What kind of sound am I looking for? Well, I think versatile is the best word I could use. I want to go from smooth, deep, liquidy bass to punchy pop tone to rock whump to whatever would work for acoustic-based music. I don't slap (at least not yet!) and I don't play hardcore or punk.

So do you have some ideas on whether I should go for round wounds or flat rounds? I expect I should pick some round wounds that aren't super bright, or some flats that have at least some brightness to them.... am I right?

Any suggestions?

Fab

[Boondog Reisbol]

I suggest nickel rounds
DR Sunbeams & Lo-Riders
are versatile. You might
find the Sunbeams easier
to play. I have 40-100
on a Sterling and it sounds
great and plays effortlessly.
Round Core = less tension

[Fab4ever]

Thanks. Do you or others have any thoughts on the Fender nickel roundwounds that were mentioned in another thread as a good bet?

[BurningSkies]

I generally find Fender strings to not be a good bet. Lots of people love DRs around here, but I personally hate 'em...and elixers are the kiss of death to me.

My P-bass tends to like D'Addario strings, and I usually choose nickel, which are a little less agressive than the stainless ones.

Fer my Jazz bass, I tend to string GHS. It just sounds better with them.

Fer my Jazz fretless, I use half-flats. I have used nylon wrapped and also flats, but I like a bit of brightness that flats lack.

On the other hand, my PRS loves Rotosound stainless steel...yup the rip up my fingers a bit when playing and they don't last long at all, but that bass just sounds right with them.

My Dingwall gets Dingwall strings. They're great strings and really sound amazing on what's an amazing bass. Don't even think about them on a SX. They won't fit they're made specifically for multi-scale basses.

So, I guess what I'm saying, is that it may take you a bit to figure out what you like and what works for you and your bass. Since you don't have the bass yet, and are new to the instrument, it will probably just take a while to find something that 'fits' as you find 'your sound'.

[petch]

Yes, you should get roundwounds that aren't super agressive for good versatility. Thus, another vote for DR Sunbeams. These have round wire (not hex) as the core and this makes them play easily and bend easily. Try a lighter gauge set like 45-65-80-100. The nickel coating helps make it a good string for new bassists... and plenty of old ones too! These strings have a balanced, warm tone. I have them on three basses.

[Beefbass]

Originally Posted by Fab4ever

Thanks. Do you or others have any thoughts on the Fender nickel roundwounds that were mentioned in another thread as a good bet?

I use the light set, which is .40-.100 They are smooth, have a nice mellow tone, but enough bite when you need it.

They're not expensive, and seem to be of good quality. I'm going to replace the TI jazz flats on my fretted jazz with these.

D'addario's do sound good, but I'm not going to recommend them anymore. I had a brand new G string break while putting it on the bass. This wouldn't be so bad, except D'addario won't replace it-unless I send them ALL the strings in the pack, then they decide if it's really defective. Thats their right I suppose; however, TI, LaBella, and Rotosound don't put people thru this, at least not to my knowledge.

Ernie Ball guitar strings are very nice IMHO, so I would gather their bass strings are probably good too. I've never used them though.

Good luck in your search for a string that you really like!

[SGT. Pepper]

If you want a good allround string, go with halfrounds.
They are warm/bright not tinny bright. You can use them in all applications and they are smooth and wont eat up your frets.

[Fab4ever]

Thanks for all the feedback. I got the bass and after doing some bridge and neck adjustments, I'm having a blast playing. I went ahead and ordered the Fender nickel lights, but I'll experiment with others till I find "my" sound and feel.

Fab

[Beefbass]

I think you'll like those nickel lights!!