Different Strings For Different Basses?

[SGT. Pepper]

Do you use differnt strings on different basses?

[Tony G]

Yes and no. I currently exclusively only use DR Hi-Beams on my Jazz Bass, but I'm not sure they are the right fit for my MTD 635. Though I currently have DR Hi-Beams on the 635 right now, I plan on trying out a number of different brands and types of strings on it untill I can figure out which match best for my needs.

On my fretless, I prefer a stiffer string and currently have nickle plated blue steels on it. Next I'm going to try a set of sr-2000 strings on it.

I like to experiment. There are too many brands out there, and I want to try as many as I can. Only then will I feel that I have made the right decisions for what strings work best for my basses.

[lomo]

Depends on the sound I seek: Roundwound steels (no specific brand) on an active bass with Barts for slap/modern, D'Addario chrome flats on a passive bass with low profile banjo frets and a passive fretless-both with Nordstrand pups-very "woody".

[Gene Leone]

Warwick - DR Sunbeams
PEdulla ET5 - Pedulla SS
Rick - Rotosound Swing
Hofner - TI Jazz flats (might try Hofner flats)
Ibanez MC888 - DR Lo Riders
Pedulla Fretless - Pedulla nickel (will try DR's later)
Gibson EB3L - D'Addario Chromes
Danelectro - D'Addario XL
Fender P - TI Jazz Flats

several other basses with other strings too.

I always look for the best string that complements the bass in terms of tone, and playability.

[billbern]

55-01-Ti Super Alloys
Millennium 5+-TI Flats
BTB1005 FL- Ken Smith Compressors
Smith Bsr 5- Ken Smith SS Taper Core
4001 FL- Ti Flats

[tink9975]

LB75- DR Fatbeams
Franken-Fretless- TI Jazz Flats

[Phalex]

I love the sound of roundwounds on a Rickenbacker, but they are very annoying and clackety on a P so I use ground rounds on it. Tape wounds on the old fretless is the only way to fly as well IMHO.

[EricF]

Fender 62 P - D'A XLs
Fender 57 P - D'A Chromes
Fender J - D'A XLs
Gibson EB-2 - D'A Chromes

(As you might notice, I like D'A strings)

So far, this has given me all the sounds I've needed. I have a G&L L1000 on the way. I'll try it both ways and see what makes me smile.

[Pilgrim]

I have flats on almost all my basses. The exceptions are 6-year-old rounds on my Jazz and 3-year old tapewounds on my fretless.

But then, I dislike "zingy" strings. A lot.

[alexclaber]

All basses vary, use whichever strings make the sound you want on that particular bass. For instance my Hohner preferred tapercore Elites whilst my Warwick really doesn't like tapercore strings at all.

Alex

[Juneau]

I have TI jazz flats on my old fretless Ibanez, Dingwall strings on my Afterburner, and Skjold strings on my Skjold.

The flats are just a matter of prefernce on the fretless. The Dingwall strings are somewhat a matter of scale length, while I could use other strings, I like Dingwall stings, and I know they fit, so I use them. The Skjold strings I like a lot, and have no reason to change them, plus I can get them locally and direct from Pete Skjold, so might as well

[marc40a]

I mix them all up flats, stainless, nickel, etc...

I do it for a few reasons:

*I find certain strings bring out the best qualities in individual basses.

*My basses are strung for particular applications. A couple for Eb tuning, flats for roots and jazz, etc...

When I get a call for a gig I grab the appropriate bass - there's usually some song learning involved and dinking around with setup is the last thing I want to do.

*Also when learning tunes it's very convenient to grab a bass that's appropriately tuned for the recording I'm learning from. For example the recording is Eb but the band plays it in standard tuning - I'll grab the Eb bass and learn the tune on that instrument so when I play the gig in standard tuning I'll have all of my positions together w/ the appropriate open strings.

[Jazzin']

I have DR Lo-Riders on my Jaguar, DR Sun-Beams on my Precision and DR Flats on my fretless Jazz. Same brand, but different strings.

[MrWalker]

Well... testing a lot of strings is a little unpractical (or rather expenssive) over here, so usually I end up using what I know works. That's DR HiBeams and SunBeams. I usually prefer HiBeams, but on some basses I use the SunBeams to warm and soften the tone up a bit.

[Delberthot]

Stingray - Super Slinkies
Modulus Flea - GHS Flea sig strings

I do like to experiment but these seem to be the best for these basses.

When the Slinkies die on the Stingray I'm going to try TI flats. I have a set that I took off my Ibanez 6 string before I sold it.

[Jeff Moote]

I use different strings, but for the most part I know what I like for certain basses or styles:

Labella Tapewound on my Rob Allen - a no brainer as the bass was designed and setup for these strings.

TI Flats on one fretted bass (I do want to try a set of Chromes for those times I need higher tension and a traditional/thumpy tone)

Nickel rounds on everything else - either DR Lo-Rider Nickel or D'Addario XL depending how much money I have I find they feel and sound very similar, with the DRs being just a bit nicer, richer sounding and longer lasting. The D'Addarios are great for everyday playing though.

I really hate the feel of SS rounds. I can play them (usually do for a day or so when I get a new bass that happens to be strung with them) but really don't enjoy it. They sound great - I almost wish I could stand them so I could have that sound, but I can usually dial in the tone with good nickels.

[1kinal]

jazz bass: DR Sunbeams
P/JJ: TI flats
Kinal: DR Lo-riders stainless
MTD: still not decided but the MTD brand is the best up to now. Love that .135x low-B.
ashbory: well, not a lot of choice for this one. rubber! but special ordered from a guy in UK. He sells them by the foot!

[Philbiker]

Phosphor bronze strings would be pretty silly on any bass other than my Tacoma.

[Edwcdc]

6 string Toby= DR Highbeams
Lakland 55-01= DR Highbeams
G&L L2000= D Addario something or other. For some reason the Highbeams don't seem to work on that bass.

[lonote]

I use Fender 9050's (flats) on my P-Basses, D'Addario Chromes (flats) on my J-Basses and my Ibanez Artcore has GHS Precision Flats but will probably be sporting Chromes soon.