How do I improve a bass' "feel"?

Rumblefisher · #1 10-10-2008, 10:52 AM

I bought some Dean Markley Blue Steel strings on ebay ($3.95, figured why not) and man do they hurt

Im jk, I am not bashing their quality, but they are quite difficult to bend and I end up hitting them hard to get the definition of sound I want.

Sometimes, when I play higher end basses, the strings move almost effortlessly, they are in tune but quite "slinky."

Better quality in the build aside, it would be the tuners and strings themselves that contribute to this better feel...no?

Can anyone rate some tuners/strings to achieve more comfort?
Thanks.

fretlessman71 · #2 10-10-2008, 10:59 AM

It may be that the string gauge is heavier than the set you took off. If this is the case, you can alleviate things a bit by having the truss rod adjusted. Take it to a qualified repairman and have them take a look.

jfenderp · #3 10-10-2008, 01:33 PM

It sounds like to me that you just need a "better" set of strings, something with low tension will bend easier and are easier to play. DR strings have fairly low tension, and if you are wanting flats then T.I. flats should do the trick, neither of these cost $3.95 though.

scottbass · #4 10-10-2008, 01:54 PM

I have never considered the tuners to contribute to the "feel" of a bass. The playable portion of the string lies between the nut and the bridge saddles. All the tuners do is (a) maintain a constant tension on the string, and (b) provide additional mass to the headstock. If there were any "feel" to the tuners, they probably wouldn't be doing the (a) part of their job correctly.

Rumblefisher · #5 10-11-2008, 01:19 PM

Thanks for the responses. Looks like lower string tension is the way to go.