string recommendation please

mattq · #1 12-20-2007, 12:25 AM

i recently acquired a long scale gretsch bass and tried to put some new strings on it. i usually just go with some d'addarios (cheap is a factor) and they go great on my jazz bass. the only bummer was that on the gretsch, the E string tapers around the first fret instead of after the nut. any recommendations?

p.s. i don't want flats

Thunder Pulse · #2 12-20-2007, 01:53 AM

Long scale D'addarios?

kyral210 · #3 12-20-2007, 06:34 AM

Super long scale/ long scale, depending on your neck scale and the string type, super long is a good bet.

As for the type, I have used every brand I can get my hands on in the UK, and every time I just cant get away from D'addario. Rotosound suck and Ernie ball just dont have that same 'glass like' quality.

On all my guitars and basses I use D'addario medium gauge strings (orange). Light enough to play easily and heavy enough to grind!

mattq · #4 12-20-2007, 10:15 PM

i've been using long scale since i started using these strings. it's on the long scale that the E still tapers too soon. guess i'll have to search for super longs. thanks guys

lokolp · #5 12-20-2007, 11:05 PM

DR longnecks

Lowpro · #6 12-20-2007, 11:06 PM

DR Longnecks. Go to a GC and ask if the guy can give you a deal on em. Sometimes they knock off a bit. if they don't ask another guy he might be willing to :P

They last a long time so you won't need to replace em near as often as D'addarios. Also since they're steel you can use denatured alcohol (Caution DO NOT DRINK DENATURED ALCOHOL IT WILL KILL YOU) to clean em and it brings their brightness back for a good while. Give that a shot.