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03-09-2013, 08:43 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Queens NY | | | Does anyone actually like phosphor bronze ABG strings?
They don't feel particularly good on the fingers, I don't much like the tone, and they seem to produce more finger noise than any other string. I prefer tapewounds on acoustics. It seems most people do, or at least flats. Does anyone like phosphor bronze? If so, why? |
03-09-2013, 09:01 PM
| | | | I've always prefered them on my AEB's (or ABG, as you call it). Perhaps because when I first played a guitar as a child it was an acoustic (my dad's '81 Alverez - Yari), which had Phosphor Bronze strings on it. To me, that's what acoustic strings are supposed to sound and feel like.
Anything else to me is like you're stringing a hollow body electric, not an acoustic bass. Just got a set of Phosphor - Bronze for my Dean EABC.
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Ric5: "We dare not play chords for fear of knocking the planets out of alignment." Yamaha BB Club #66
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03-09-2013, 09:02 PM
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Not me.
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03-09-2013, 09:08 PM
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Endorsing Artist: Fender Basses, Ampeg, Curt Mangan Strings | | Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: South Shore, Massachusetts | | | In the early 80's I played phosphor bronze on an electric bass and loved the piano like punch and brilliance.
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03-09-2013, 09:13 PM
| | | | No love for them here,I put flats on mine when I got it !
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03-09-2013, 09:37 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NorCal | | | Not a fan. The B string sounds like a piano and yeah, noisy as hell.
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03-09-2013, 09:38 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: schenectady, ny | | | I love them. But you need a good ABG for them to sound right. A jumbo or larger body of 6" depth or more really helps lower the overall resonant frequency. I have a Cort 'Mark Egan' model that sounds like a bass, with bronze, low to high. Wonderful, deep, complex, warm, woody tone that oozes acoustic goodness. Sounds fantastic amped also -
I have a hollowbody w flats, and a P/J w Roto 66s as a workhorse, and most importantly, an URB. So for me, I want the ABG to sound like exactly that - a bass acoustic guitar. I even strum it on occasion, which sucks w flats. I also play a ton of acoustic guitar, so there are technique crossovers that are particularly nice with bronze ABG. |
03-09-2013, 11:31 PM
|  | Less barking, more wagging! | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Can't stand the sound or feel of 'em; replaced with tapewounds so my bass wouldn't sound like an acoustic guitar with a thyroid condition. |
03-09-2013, 11:54 PM
|  | Registered Spector Addict | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO. | | | I love 'em. I string my Fender Kingman with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings because to me, it sounds like an acoustic guitar tuned down an octave - especially when plugged in, which is 90% of the time. I like the folky piano-like tone. If I want warm & thumpy, my solid body basses can get a better version of that sound.
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03-10-2013, 08:00 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by superdick2112  I love 'em. I string my Fender Kingman with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings because to me, it sounds like an acoustic guitar tuned down an octave - especially when plugged in, which is 90% of the time. I like the folky piano-like tone. If I want warm & thumpy, my solid body basses can get a better version of that sound. | +1
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03-10-2013, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Jazzdogg Can't stand the sound or feel of 'em; replaced with tapewounds so my bass wouldn't sound like an acoustic guitar with a thyroid condition. | Isn't an ABG supposed to sound like an acoustic bass guitar? Technically, a solid body electric bass guitar could also be described as a guitar with a thyroid condition, could it not?
It all boils down to personal preference anyway, doesn't it?
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Last edited by ProgRocker : 03-10-2013 at 03:25 PM.
Reason: grammatical boo-boo
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03-10-2013, 09:06 AM
| | | | John Entwisle
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03-10-2013, 09:13 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego, California | | | Does anyone really like ABG?
Even when I jam with folks playing acoustic, I use a P-bass (strung with flats) with a little amp (pignose Hog30). Evryone agrees it sounds much better and improves the jam... |
03-10-2013, 09:46 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by RCCollins Does anyone really like ABG?
Even when I jam with folks playing acoustic, I use a P-bass (strung with flats) with a little amp (pignose Hog30). Evryone agrees it sounds much better and improves the jam... | Clearly some of us do. Considering manufacturers are starting to build more of them again, I'd say we're not alone. I've had a Takaminie Jasmine ABG, a Michael Kelly "Dragonfly" fretless 5 string ABG, and now own a Dean EABGC. Needless to say, I like them.
They're all strung with Phosphor - Bronze strings.
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Last edited by ProgRocker : 03-10-2013 at 09:48 AM.
Reason: forgot something.
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03-10-2013, 02:52 PM
| | Less barking, more wagging! | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by ProgRocker Isn't an ABG supposed to sound like an acoustic bass guitar? Technically, a solid body electric bass guitar could also be described as a guitar with a thyroid condition, could could it not?
It all boils down to personal preference anyway, doesn't it? | Yes, it all boils down to personal preference; I merely explained MY personal preferences. My ABG is my least favorite bass, reserved for camping trips and such; to me, it ain't even close to being a "real bass." |
03-10-2013, 03:15 PM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing artist: Brubaker Guitars | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Gaithersburg, Md | | | Someone might. I don't. |
03-10-2013, 03:28 PM
|  | Registered User
Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest Michigan | | | I used to string my Rickenbackers with Roto Bronze bass for recording and showcases. They do not last long, but it gives the rick a more piano like timbre and I found very appealing for recording. Definitely not your average Ric sound, but definitely never mistaken for a Fender. |
03-10-2013, 03:43 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Camarillo, CA | | | I love em on my Breedlove. Warm, rich, and with a very natural kind of brightness that nickel or steel rounds just don't do on an ABG. I have a question tho... Can you use phosphor-bronze strings on an electric? Can magnetic pups pick them up? I've wondered for a while, might be a fun experiment to put em on an electric and see what the tone is like.
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Originally Posted by JohnMCA72 Sure, it "sounds better" loud, just like it "sounds better" drunk. | Quote:
Originally Posted by Epitaph04 Hobobob has a Val Hallen avatar. He can post whatever he wants. | |
03-10-2013, 03:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Camarillo, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Musiclogic I used to string my Rickenbackers with Roto Bronze bass for recording and showcases. They do not last long, but it gives the rick a more piano like timbre and I found very appealing for recording. Definitely not your average Ric sound, but definitely never mistaken for a Fender. | This may very well be my answer.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnMCA72 Sure, it "sounds better" loud, just like it "sounds better" drunk. | Quote:
Originally Posted by Epitaph04 Hobobob has a Val Hallen avatar. He can post whatever he wants. | |
03-10-2013, 04:20 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzdogg Yes, it all boils down to personal preference; I merely explained MY personal preferences. My ABG is my least favorite bass, reserved for camping trips and such; to me, it ain't even close to being a "real bass." | No need to get all butthurt... we're all adults here, right? I understand you were expressing "your" opinion, that's what this forum is for, no?
I see why you're getting upset, you're a "bass snob". Technically only a Double Bass or Bass Viola is a "real bass" if you want to be that way. I don't see how using different strings would change whether it's a "real bass" or not.
ABG's range in price from $400 - $2,000. Well within the range of "real" basses. How does what type of strings are used make it a real bass or not? I'd really like to know.
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