Strings for Acoustic Bass Guitar – Easy on the fingers

[praisebass]

My wife has a low end Dean acoustic bass guitar – full scale length 32” or so – I’m looking to find some strings that are easy on the fingers.

She plays violin primarily and the strings on her ABG are a bit tough on the fingers – she really just plays around the campfire accompanying me playing a classical guitar. I want to put something on that’s lower tension and lower friction than what’s on there now.

What are some good options?
Thanks,

[pandaman37]

any flatwounds should be easy, if you find a light gauge you should be set to go. but the d'addario acoustic phosphor-bronze rounds worked pretty well for me, see if they have any flats, i think youll be quite satisfied.
in fact im pretty sure we have the same AB, i just ripped the frets out of mine recently lol

[carlos840]

I use thomastick strings, they have a nylon core so they feel really soft and nice!
They have low tension and a very nice thump... Only downside is that they dont hold tuning as well as other strings might do and they do have to be changed after a while cause the nylon core doesnt have a life as long as a steel core...
My set still lasted a few years before i changed it with moderate use...
Should try them, they are really cool!

http://www.talkbass.com/reviews/show...p/product/1064

[MD]

Originally Posted by praisebass

She plays violin primarily and the strings on her ABG are a bit tough on the fingers – she really just plays around the campfire accompanying me playing a classical guitar. I want to put something on that’s lower tension and lower friction than what’s on there now.
What are some good options?
Thanks,

While the above mentioned TI Acousticores have a very nice tone, they're still roundwound bronze strings, similar to your wife's current strings. TI's do meet your low tension criteria. However, the low tension translates into low volume, which is not what you want for campfire playing.

I'd suggest a nylon tape wrapped string. They're totally smooth to the touch, so zero friction. Between Fender, GHS, LaBella and Roto, the GHS' are lightest in gauge, 50-105.

[4Mal]

labella are on my Tacoma. Pretty much to stay ... Formerly I used a hybrid set of TIJF's on the top three and a D'Adarrio half wound on the low E. Sounds goofy but the light Ti's did not put enough pressure on the bridge so string to string balance went out the window. The bigger low E got a lot of it back, along with a paper shim under the A.

I finally ripped out the stock piezo and replaced it with a K&K pure. That thing is now my closet upright.

[Robert Spencer]

praisebass I also use an acoustic 32" scale for praise & worship service. I have installed GHS tapewounds & don`t think I will ever change them. To my ear its about the best possible sound I could wish for and so smooth. There may be better tapewounds available but I`m not interested in trying anything else. When you have a good thing you don`t mess with it. Take care. Bob