Strings for an acoustic bass

joechummer · #1 12-07-2009, 07:47 PM

I was flirting with the idea of getting an acoustic bass this weekend but decided not to, at least, not until I can figure this out.

Part of my ambivalence in the purchase was I played 3 different basses, a $200 one, a $375 one, and a $700 one. The $200 one sounded okay -- if a bit tinny -- but I noticed it had silver-colored roundwounds on it. The other two more expensive basses had a much deeper and softer tone that I liked, but they had what looked like copper-colored roundwounds on them (think phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings).

What I'm wondering is:

A) There are strings specifically made for acoustic basses, right? If so, would I be wrong in believing the $200 bass was strung with electric bass strings instead, and that's why it sounded so tinny? Or would the $200 price tag explain it?

B) Does the type of string on an acoustic bass make that much difference in tone, especially if it's been strung with electric bass strings by mistake (or purposely, if that's how you roll)? I have to wonder if a set of the same kind of strings on the other two basses had been strung on the $200 bass whether it would sound better than the current strings. Unfortunately, this was not an experiment I was willing to spend $200 + tax + strings just to try.

bassist4dalord · #2 12-08-2009, 01:03 AM

The "copper-colored" roundwounds are indeed phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings. They will yield a warm, yet mostly very bright tone when plugged in. The silver strings are electric bass strings. You can use those on an acoustic, but they won't be as loud unplugged. I use flatwound strings on my acoustic. Best of luck.

MNAirHead · #3 12-08-2009, 01:52 AM

I use tapewounds...

Do not overpay for a AGB.. they all need to be plugged in for a group setting.

smo · #4 12-08-2009, 02:29 AM

The best acoustic rounds I've EVER had (in 10 years) are the Elixir's. They last a very long time, but don't come in a heavy gauge unfortunately.

joechummer · #5 12-18-2009, 05:17 AM

I got myself a ABG this week, and I'm looking into changing the strings. However, all of my previous experience has been with 34" scale basses, and the bass I got is a 32" scale. Will 34"/Long-Scale ABG strings work, or do I have to use specifically 32" scale strings? If I use 34" scale strings, will it throw my intonation off and/or do anything bad to the neck due to having too much (or not enough) tension?

Also, is there a difference between flatwounds and "tapewounds," or are they the same thing? I have some flatwounds, but they're for 34" scale electrics.

Gintaras · #6 12-20-2009, 06:16 AM

I have an Epiphone El Capitan that I picked up on ebay. I put on a set of DR Rare's. I really wanted to try a set if TI Acousticore's but the price turned me off. They sounded really nice after breakin but the real difference was putting in a a K&K Pure pickup.
http://www.kksound.com/purebass.html
and got the matching K&K preamp
http://www.kksound.com/purepreamp.html
The K&K reproduce the sound of the bass so if you don't like the acoustic sound of your ABG then this is not the route.

The Dean EABC is a great sounding acoustic bass for the money. Typically around $200.00. I have had the opportunity to play the Dean and at the same time play a Victor Bailey, Breedlove, Laguna and Ibanez. Acoustically the Dean was in the middle of the pack and was by far the cheapest. As usual most basses that I tried under $500 had what I consider poor sounding electronics.

joechummer · #7 12-25-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gintaras

I have an Epiphone El Capitan that I picked up on ebay. I put on a set of DR Rare's. I really wanted to try a set if TI Acousticore's but the price turned me off. They sounded really nice after breakin but the real difference was putting in a a K&K Pure pickup.
http://www.kksound.com/purebass.html
and got the matching K&K preamp
http://www.kksound.com/purepreamp.html
The K&K reproduce the sound of the bass so if you don't like the acoustic sound of your ABG then this is not the route.

The Dean EABC is a great sounding acoustic bass for the money. Typically around $200.00. I have had the opportunity to play the Dean and at the same time play a Victor Bailey, Breedlove, Laguna and Ibanez. Acoustically the Dean was in the middle of the pack and was by far the cheapest. As usual most basses that I tried under $500 had what I consider poor sounding electronics.

I played one of the $200 Deans and found I couldn't very easily reach half or 1st position because the body is so large compared to a solid-body electric. The Ibanez AEB10E I got has a 32" scale, which is much, much easier to play even though the actual body size isn't that much different from the Dean. 2" makes a lot of difference.

**lowendfriend** · #8 12-25-2009, 06:56 PM

If you go with the Dean, pick low tension strings as that flat top is not designed for say rotosound 77's (like I put on it.) Created a bubble under the bridge. Not worth fixing. I put webstring detroit BEAD flats on it and the bubble has settled down.

Bassman18 · #9 12-26-2009, 03:04 AM

i use to use ABG strings on my ibanez acoustic, but then i tried a friends bass that he had strung with Electric strings...big difference in playability IMO. The Phosphor strings leave green gunk all over your fingers and fretboard.
I personally use Flatwounds on my bass now. Sounds a lot better then it originally did.

thetawaves · #10 12-26-2009, 03:46 AM

I tend to use some thomastik acoustics on my Dean, I made the mistake of using the (cleaned w/rubbing alcohol) old strings from my electric bass and had the top warp around the bridge. They're expensive to be sure, but they do sound good to my ears

joechummer · #11 12-26-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman18

i use to use ABG strings on my ibanez acoustic, but then i tried a friends bass that he had strung with Electric strings...big difference in playability IMO. The Phosphor strings leave green gunk all over your fingers and fretboard.
I personally use Flatwounds on my bass now. Sounds a lot better then it originally did.

Do they make flatwounds specifically for ABGs? I have a set of flatwounds, but they're for electrics. Also, I heard once that flatwounds require a lot higher tension than roundwounds. Would this cause problems on the neck of an ABG, or is the neck and body every bit as strong as an electric bass?

somedumbguy · #12 12-26-2009, 04:40 PM

My 200 dollar ABG sounds better than the 400 dollar one that I didn't get because I restrung it as soon as I got it with the phosphour bronze string from Daddario. They will make the a HUGE difference in tone.

And it will actually sound like an acoustic bass.

There is a difference with acoustic guitar and electric guitar, and with those strings you will have the same difference (a very bright and warm tone).

And my strings do NOT leave gunk on my hands like one poster said.

bassist4dalord · #13 12-26-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joechummer

Do they make flatwounds specifically for ABGs? I have a set of flatwounds, but they're for electrics.

No, they don't. I currently have a set of D'Addario Chromes flatwounds on my Fender BG-31 acoustic, and they'll be staying there for a very long time. The only trouble I had is with the truly crap Fender acoustic bridge; very bad design. Best of luck!

joechummer · #14 12-26-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

No, they don't. I currently have a set of D'Addario Chromes flatwounds on my Fender BG-31 acoustic, and they'll be staying there for a very long time. The only trouble I had is with the truly crap Fender acoustic bridge; very bad design. Best of luck!

That's the kind of flatwounds I have. I'll have to give them a whirl when I get a chance.

What was so bad about the bridge design?

Pilgrim · #15 12-26-2009, 06:32 PM

I didn't like the phosphor rounds on my Applause (Ovation) AE-40 at all. Installed Daddario Chromes (flats) and I like them.

Electric bass strings will fit on an ABG IF - note, IF - they will pass through the holes on the bridge. Heavy gauge strings generally will not. Take care when choosing.

joechummer · #16 12-27-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somedumbguy

My 200 dollar ABG sounds better than the 400 dollar one that I didn't get because I restrung it as soon as I got it with the phosphour bronze string from Daddario. They will make the a HUGE difference in tone.

And it will actually sound like an acoustic bass.

There is a difference with acoustic guitar and electric guitar, and with those strings you will have the same difference (a very bright and warm tone).

And my strings do NOT leave gunk on my hands like one poster said.

The only time acoustic strings would leave green gunk on your hands is if the strings are REALLY old and tarnished. Bronze turns green if left to the elements.

Tahoe_Ed · #17 12-27-2009, 04:51 PM

I have Rotosound Black Nylon Tapewounds on my AEB10. Sounds great and you loose the typical acoustic string noise.

bassman blue · #18 12-27-2009, 05:00 PM

i'm really not much of a fan of roundwound strings, but i did put a set of D.R. Hellborg strings on my acoustic and they're now my favorite 'acoustic bass' strings.