String Tension, Set Up and Technique

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Have noticed that strings, setup and finger technique are slightly different for each of my three basses.

Have been working on my Fretless for the last month, getting the intonation thing down. Strung it with Jazz 77's flats and they are silky smooth. Recently began to play with softer pads of fingers and sound quality improved, also my tips didn't ache as much and the annoying buzzing is gone.

I play 'harder' on Elixir Nano Rotosounds on the MM Sterling. That particular bass is made for growling and grunting and when I start digging into the strings, it gets even nastier. Strings are rougher but the thump and pop is worth it all.

The Carvin-5 "B" string is a cable in width and relatively low tension and so it generally cannot be punched (Exilir Nano). I find myself moving my right hand closer to the bridge to get a clearer tone when I'm down low.

I've never owned three instruments in my life and keeping up with them is work. Does everyone have the same issues with multiple basses?

[Dave Muscato]

I tend to find something I like and stick to it. Maybe that's why I've had the same set of DR Black Beauties on my MTD for 16 months now...

When I need different tones (e.g. for recording), I use one of my Line6 Variax 705s. I'm probably not the best person to answer your question.

I have about a dozen guitar-like instruments (acoustic guitars, electric guitars, classical guitars, electric bass guitars) and with enough practice, you learn the quirks of an instrument and it becomes a non-issue, IME.