Best strings for country and bluegrass music...

TERESA HESS · #1 04-04-2011, 07:45 PM

I have an old Cortez 4 string bass and an old Fender 4 string bass.....what are the best strings for these 2 bass guitars to play country and bluegrass music? Thanks
Would you give me some ideas for a great amplifier? I have an old Peavey amp. Thanks

Craig_S · #2 04-04-2011, 07:57 PM

The best strings are the ones that feel and sound good to you. It's really as simple as that. The amp question has a similar answer.

darkstorm · #3 04-04-2011, 08:59 PM

Theres no such thing as best string for that ,usic. Which is why pros playing that music play most of the major label brands. Some like ghs, some like daddario, some like rotosound, some like dr, the list goes on from there among pro country and bluegrass players. Youd be much further ahead thinking more in terms of what basses are played by pro country and bluegrass bands that you like. And getting one of those according to personal pref.

billoetjen · #4 04-04-2011, 09:08 PM

LaBella DTB Flats.

tjh · #5 04-04-2011, 09:48 PM

Theresa, just out of curiousity, what model is your 'old Fender 4 string' bass ?? ... and what are you currently using for strings that you like/dont like that prompts you to ask the question ?? ...

.. as far as amps, nothing wrong with that 'old Peavey' ... in fact that 'old Fender 4 string' strung with well worn in rounds or a flat of choice, and that 'old Peavey' sound just like the ticket ... for a lot of things ... (especially if you have a big strong buck to move that 'old Peavey' around for ya ...

Strange1 · #6 01-13-2013, 11:48 AM

I have a 1970 P bass and use nothing but Roto Sound Tru Bass. In 1971, a salesperson at Shot Jackson's store in Nashville gave me a set to try and I have been using nothing else since. Couple this with the V4B Ampeg head (1970) and an eighteen inch speaker cabinet, and I have, IMO, the best sound for country/bluegrass/blues/ etc possible

Pilgrim · #7 01-13-2013, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

The best strings are the ones that feel and sound good to you. It's really as simple as that. The amp question has a similar answer.

^^^Truth.

Diesel Kilgore · #8 01-13-2013, 04:20 PM

I agree with above and that no string can be for one certain type of music. However, if you are trying to get a certain tone a string can be important. When I think of western and bluegrass on a bass my mind immediately goes to GHS Super Steels. You can get alot of mids and highs with a great and unique twang to them. If I played that style of music on a P bass thats the string I would use.

Mojo-Man · #9 01-14-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

The best strings are the ones that feel and sound good to you. It's really as simple as that. The amp question has a similar answer.

Finally, an honest answer.

bassbully · #10 01-14-2013, 01:06 PM

A good set of well worn in Chromes is the ticket for me.

Bruce Johnson · #11 01-14-2013, 07:56 PM

I've been playing electric bass in a bluegrass band for 20+ years. I prefer flatwounds, either D'Addario Chromes or LaBellas, mainly because there's less finger noise. When you're playing against acoustic instruments, with no drums, you want the bass to be warm and gentle. Let the banjos and guitars be twangy and bright!

My favorite amp for playing bluegrass is a little Carvin PB150. It's a small solid state amp with a single 10" speaker. Clean, simple, and portable. I prefer the 10" speaker for bluegrass, because it doesn't have too much bottom end. My fretless bass with flatwounds played through the 10" speaker sounds more like an old Kay upright. A bigger amp with a 15" speaker tends to sound more like an electric bass.

The other key thing is your playing style. Pluck the bass up near the end of the neck, keep the amp volume low, and pluck the bass hard. And play fewer notes! Bluegrass lines usually want to be simple and precise.