Right Strings for New Bass...

SimplemanBB450 · #1 08-31-2009, 08:13 AM

Hey - I just purchased a new Fender Jag and the strings on it look old and dirty (it was not a demo unit but a claimed "New" unit from Fender). Anyways I heard that the use of Steel-wound strings will give you a nice bright sound and Nickel-wound will give you a slightly warmer sound. I also heard that Steel-wound will wear on your frets more than the Nickel-wound. The question is....

1. For this type of bass, what type of stings have people used and with what kind of luck? I'm figuring manufactures are like car mfg's, each will have their +/-.

2. Is it true that Steels will wear more on the frets?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

JTE · #2 08-31-2009, 09:51 AM

Unfortunately, the only way is for you to experiment until you find the ones that are right for you. Yeah, stainless strings have a harder alloy and will cause more fretwear than nickle coated ones. But it's a really small variance so I wouldn't use fretwear as a determinant. But then, I advocate using stainless roundwounds on a fretless if that's the sound you're after.

MY personal experiences is that Fender doesn't make very good strings so just about anything will be better than those. Over the last 30+ years (including 11 years managing a guitar store) I found D'Addario, GHS, Thomastic-Infield, and DR strings to be uniformly well-made, long lasting, and consistent strings. Plus my experience with D'Addario, GHS, and DR show they have EXCELLENT customer service (no experience with T-I's customer service so I can't comment).

I'd suggest reading through the Strings sticky threads, and getting a general feel for the differences between nickle, nickle-plated (most nickle strings are really nickle-plated steel), and stainless steel. Plus there are differences between different alloys within each of those broad categories. And we haven't even touched on gauges nor flats/round/modded rounds/nylon wrapped variables either.

John

SimplemanBB450 · #3 08-31-2009, 10:26 AM

wow! Thank you so much for the great insight. I will continue to read around and see what other info is out there. I may do just as you say and try out a few different styles and manufactures. I tend to go through strings roughly every 6 weeks so will eventually see what works best. Thanks again.

dmusic148 · #4 08-31-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

MY personal experiences is that Fender doesn't make very good strings so just about anything will be better than those.

I think things have improved there. I've been using Fender 8250's on my P basses for a couple of years; I like them a lot. Prior to that I was a die hard DR guy, and I think the quality is equal to DR, these days at least..
Anyway, yes, you will need to try some different ones to find what's best for you.

Phalex · #5 08-31-2009, 10:55 AM

Stainless steel is a hard material, and therefore harder on frets. Stainless has a very bright tone.

Nickle is softer and easier on frets. Nickle has a warm, less bright tone.

Nickle plated steel, is still easy on the frets, but has a brighter tone than nickle, but is warmer than stainless.

RickenBoogie · #6 08-31-2009, 05:41 PM

I didn't like Fender strings for a loooong time, but recently switched to using both their flatwounds, and nickle rounds. Every bit as good as EB Slinky's, or Roto's, (the "other strings I use regularly).