Which set should I load-up my bass with?

[Andrew-Buch]

Hey guys,

I'm about to change the strings on my Fender Jazz bass. I'm a recent Berklee graduate, but as I spent a good five-years pretty much only playing my Hofner I find that I know next-to-nothing about Roundwounds.

I do have a few packaged here to choose from however, so I thought I'd come here asking what you guys would recommend.

I'm looking for something that will give me a nice, full tone. The strings on my JB right now are far too flat, in all frequency ranges.

I want something with a nice, full bottom, but that has a good zing up top. And that can be melodious, without being too harsh.

Style-wise, I play everything - rock, jazz, funk, reggae, classical, etc. So something diverse would be nice.

I mainly play finger-style. Slap isn't my strong-suit, but I am working on it - so a good slap sound would be nice. I never, ever play with a pick.

I'm not too concerned with the strings being too stiff, as I've been playing for fifteen years and have good finger strength. It is always nice to be able to just slide about effortlessly, but I'm far more concerned about tone.

Here's what I have to choose from - from the heaviest to the lightest set:

- Dean Markley - Blue Steel - Medium (50/75/85/105)
- Dean Markley - NickelSteel - Medium/Light (45/65/85/105)
- D'Addario - Bright Nickel Wound XL - Medium/Light (45/65/85/105)
- Dean Markley - Blue Steel - Medium/Light (45/65/80/105)
- Dean Markley - Super Round - Medium/Light (45/65/80/105)
- D'Addario - Bright Nickel Wound XL - Light (45/65/80/100)
- Dean Markley - Alchemy - Light (40/60/80/100)

So... thoughts anyone? I'm probably leaning towards the thicker-gauge ones, as it's my understanding these should feel a bit fuller.

-Andy

[oi_pride]

i personally don't like the tone of the dean markley, but the d' addarios sound really well. i have them on my bass that i'm using in the studio right now. warm tone, bright mids and highs. want a little less bright turn the tone down and bam! nice low end with note definition.

[oi_pride]

oh and on the topic of gauges you really have to find a gauge that is best for you and your style. like i use a five string set but throw out the G string. i tune full step down so to avoid fret buzz i just use a bigger string.

these are what i'm using right now. D'Addario XL Nickel Long Scale 5-String 50-135

[sal4bass]

Based on your description, I would probably pick DR Sunbeams.

If you are open to considering DR strings, here is a nice article outlining their various offerings and provides audio samples of each string:

http://tinyurl.com/ygdglcr

[Marton]

I currently have a set like this : D'Addario - Bright Nickel Wound XL - Medium/Light (45/65/85/105) on my jazz bass and it's sound really sweet. They have a fuller sound than the Dean Markley on my other jazz bass IMO, and they're not to stiff.

[bearshimmy]

the d'addario nickel wounds are very full sounding, they bring out the growl in a jazz bass for sure.

[ErnieD]

does it again, offering that URL is very helpful. I just saved it to my 'favorites'.

And I too woulda suggested DR Sunbeams or XL170's instead of any on OP's list. But I think I've spent over a couple hundred dollars this year trying out new strings, to just end up back at Sunbeams & XL170S this week:

So I got that going for me.... Goonga-Loonga

[Soverntear]

- D'Addario - Bright Nickel Wound XL - Medium/Light (45/65/85/105)


i use them, amazing strings