How do you ask for strings?

BegBass · #1 02-07-2008, 02:20 PM

Hey guys, ever since I've bought my used bass, I have been worrying about my strings. I don't know how easily bass strings break. So if I were to go to a music shop one day because my strings snapped, what do I tell them? Do I ask for bass strings? What strings (band) would you guys recommend?

kmanley_29649 · #2 02-07-2008, 02:27 PM

Bass strings are hard to break, but it can happen. I've been playing almost 12 years and never broken a string. However, I know someone who broke a low B on a five string within a month of getting it.

Of course, which strings you use is a matter of personal preference. I am partial to D'Adario strings. Also, I haven't changed them in about five years. I like that sound that they have when they are worn in; it's very smooth and rich, without a lot of brightness on the high end.

As far as asking, some places have them behind the counter, in which case you just say that you need to buy some strings. You can ask their opinion of what to buy, as most music stores have a rather helpful staff.

Hope that helps.

biff malibu · #3 02-07-2008, 02:27 PM

tell them to give you the pink ernie ball bass strings. tell them that you need the strings replaced and you'll be back in 30 minutes and you expect it to be done by the time you get back or else.

rakirksey · #4 02-07-2008, 02:29 PM

I usually just go in ask for the brand and for the gauge. Strings are usually only reason that I go to Guitar Center. I can't really stand being in there longer than 10 minutes. The wanking seriously hurts my soul.

I use different types of strings for different basses, but on my jazz bass I use DR Hi-Beams Medium (45 - 105). If you're relatively new I'd suggest try a few different brands until you find a set that you like. You can search if you have an idea of what sound/feel you're looking for.

erickdan · #5 02-07-2008, 02:30 PM

I just ask them for bass strings dude. I'm sure they hear it all day long so it's not like they are gonna laugh at you or something

I personally use GHS Boomers on my Ibanez and I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky Bass Strings on my Fender Jazz.

The strings that came on your Fender when it was new are Fender Super Bass 7250ml's. String gauges on those are .45 .65 .80 .100 (same as the Super Slinkys).

I've never had one break yet myself...knock on wood...

Matthew Bryson · #6 02-07-2008, 02:33 PM

Bass strings very seldom break. Bass strings will wear out (if they are "round wound" type, which is the most common). Because they are a common wear item, they are sold everywhere. There are many different types but the two main "catagories" would be Round Wound and Flat Wound. (there are also "in betweeen" types such as half round and ground wound, various types of coated srings) The flat wounds do not start out as "bright" but also, really don't wear out. Round wounds sound "brighter" and will eventually loose that brightness, they may also become harder to tune and may "feel stiffer" and sound generlly poor and dull. That's how you know it's time to change your round wounds. Round wounds are made of different materials - stainless steal is the brightest and longest lastin - it's also very hard on your frets and your fingers. Nickle is easier to play and nicer to your frets. A 110 gauge E is usually considered heavy, 100 to 105 normal, 90 or 95 is light...

Awe, heck, just go into the store and tell 'em to give you some Ernie Ball Regular Slinkies - they are decent and cheap. IME - They're considered pretty "normal" strings in the world of bass.

dubyaresee · #7 02-07-2008, 02:38 PM

You need to know what scale your bass is. You need to know what kind of winding you have on your current strings, and what gauge they are.

Searching this site and the internet at large will give you all the definitions for those terms, and plenty of examples you can compare your bass and strings to. If you like your current strings, go out and get a set of spares. Strings never fail at the "right time".

If you want to experiment with different gauges or windings to get a tone you like, browse online stores or manufacturer's sites to see what the packaging for your desired strings looks like. That will help you out a lot in the store.

mjolnir · #8 02-07-2008, 02:45 PM

Just ask for (if you have a 4 banger) 4 string bass strings, and describe what sound you're going for. Chances are the guy behind the counter has an idea what sounds like what.

Or you can give DR Hi Beams a shot (they're what I use).

EddieN · #9 02-07-2008, 02:46 PM

I do find it a curious fact that bassists ask for sets based on the gauge of the heaviest string in the set while those OTHER guys ask for theirs based on the lightest string.

TrevorOfDoom · #10 02-07-2008, 02:51 PM

i usually go in with mean look on my face, point at a sales dude, say "c'mere b!tch!!, i need strings, now! gimme those right there!! *point at any random object behind the counter*"
"uh... sir... that's a uh... microphone... sir"
"i knew that! don't take that tone with me! i'll kick your @$$ so hard you'll be tasting my converse for weeks! now gimme those!!*points somewhere else*"
"that's a string winder... sir."
"i knew that too! i was just testing you, sally! now don't get sassy with me! i'll take those!!"
"yuh.. yuh.. yes sir."

i usually end up with 7 string stainless strings, but it still feels good to intimidate.

rakirksey · #11 02-07-2008, 02:53 PM

That is interesting, but I usually ask based on the heaviest AND lowest string because a medium set can sometimes be 45-100 or 40-105 or some other random combination depending on the manufacturer. Of course, I have a brand that I've settled on so it's not much of a deal.

In terms of the scale of the bass, I would figure for most cases long scale works. Keeps it simple. One thing I always wondered though ... what cases would you need extra long scale other than a string through body??

mjolnir · #12 02-07-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

i usually go in with mean look on my face, point at a sales dude, say "c'mere b!tch!!, i need strings, now! gimme those right there!! *point at any random object behind the counter*"
"uh... sir... that's a uh... microphone... sir"
"i knew that! don't take that tone with me! i'll kick your @$$ so hard you'll be tasting my converse for weeks! now gimme those!!*points somewhere else*"
"that's a string winder... sir."
"i knew that too! i was just testing you, sally! now don't get sassy with me! i'll take those!!"
"yuh.. yuh.. yes sir."

i usually end up with 7 string stainless strings, but it still feels good to intimidate.

So awesome but too long to sig...

sarcastro83 · #13 02-07-2008, 02:56 PM

"please" and "thank you" usually are really good additions to all of the above advice.

Bulletr0k · #14 02-07-2008, 03:05 PM

I've only shopped for strings once, so far. Where I went, there was a wall of strings, and I looked around. Looked for the Bass Strings, and saw Ernie Ball's Super Slinky bass strings, and instantly thought there were awesome slinkies inside. I was wrong in the end, but I bought Ernie Ball's Regular Slinky strings for my P-bass knockoff. They're nice, though I may try flats next time, just to experiment.

ksandvik · #15 02-07-2008, 03:08 PM

Start with a known brand, 105 to 45 or something similar which is middle of the road concerning bass string sizes. Then you learn by trial which brands and sizes you like and don't like. I would start with Rotosound (RS66), either you like them or not. A lot of known bass players like them, but they sound somewhat personal compared with other strings, me thinks (I use BS66 as I want a thicker low-end E string.) --Kent

bassbrock · #16 02-07-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

"please" and "thank you" usually are really good additions to all of the above advice.

Well, the please and thank you go after the part where you've shoved your foot up their a** so far they can taste the gunk between your toes and they will be forced to defecate shoe laces for a week.

Illbay · #17 02-07-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir

So awesome but too long to sig...

Exactly what I thought the first time I read it!

Matthew Bryson · #18 02-07-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

i usually go in with mean look on my face, point at a sales dude, say.

Wow - I don't do what Trevor does, but I'd like to see him do it. Good stuff.

One goofy thing that I actually do like to do - I've done this a couple of times. I'll go into guitar center and start looking at very expensive guitars or PA equipment (it's closer to the strings than bass) ...when you start looking at the good expensive stuff, it doesn't take long for a sales weasel to materialize next to you. As soon as he shows up and asks if he can help me, I turn to him and say "I'd like a twin pack of D'Addario XL Nickel bass strings - the reg bottom / light top set. 105 E, 45G. I'm sure they hate that. I laugh all the way home.

Illbay · #19 02-07-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

"please" and "thank you" usually are really good additions to all of the above advice.

So it should be "please, b*tch" and "thank you, sally"?

Congaman · #20 02-07-2008, 03:30 PM

It depends so much on the kind of music you play, your style of playing it, the axe you play and how it is set up, and what you play it through. I usually like to play funk and reggae on my Yammie rbx775. I like a lot of bottom end, but the strings have to pop, too. So i look for mass -- thick strings. I don't do a lot of slinky lead lines on the bass, so i don't really need strings that are soft or bend-able. GHS Boomers work for me, but my next set will probably be Elixirs. Bass strings shouldn't break very easily if you are playing them correctly -- unless there is a mechanical problem -- like a burr in the tuner or the tailpiece.