Strings for Dean Jeff Berlin

Alard · #1 01-01-2013, 11:17 AM

Hey guys,
Long time since I been here. Being pressed into service as a bass player again. Got a Dean Jeff Berlin laying around with some rounds on it. Could youse make some recommendations for a set of flats that would make this bass sound?
I got a longing for a Jazz bass but no coin.
Music will be a broad range of classic, blues, R&B, pseudo jazz.
Thanks for any help. Must restring tomorrow.
Later,
Al

Munjibunga · #2 01-01-2013, 01:31 PM

I think Jeff uses DR strings. He was jamming in their booth last year at NAMM. I don't know which ones, though. I'd consider some Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats. They're a little slinky, but they're the best sounding flats I've played. They're a bit brighter than most.

JimmyM · #3 01-01-2013, 03:52 PM

TI's are great if you want flats that sound closer to rounds. I was using Chromes when I was using flats, and I liked them because they sounded like flats to me. So it's all about what you want out of a set of strings. What DO you want?

Alard · #4 01-01-2013, 04:33 PM

And finger-ease are what I am looking for.
I played a Jazz bass for many years. That can cover a lot of tonal territory. Really hard to 'have it all' on one bass. Looking for classic tones, if possible.

**lmfreeman9** · #5 01-01-2013, 04:35 PM

For traditional thump-try Pyramid Gold flats.
I believe there is a set for a great price on Classifieds.-Not mine.

JimmyM · #6 01-01-2013, 04:45 PM

For tonal versatility with flats, definitely TI's. I never liked them, but others swear by them religiously.

Munjibunga · #7 01-01-2013, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

TI's are great if you want flats that sound closer to rounds. I was using Chromes when I was using flats, and I liked them because they sounded like flats to me. So it's all about what you want out of a set of strings. What DO you want?

Very true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

For tonal versatility with flats, definitely TI's. I never liked them, but others swear by them religiously.

A lot of people don't like them because of their reputed "floppy B" ... and "floppy E" ... and "floppy ..."

As I said, they're a bit slinky and require a soft touch. But their tone is just fabulous. I had them on my Pedulla ThunderBolt 5 fretless, and I couldn't imagine anything sounding better.

Alard · #8 01-02-2013, 05:17 AM

Going to try Thomastik Jazz flats.
GC has two gage sets listed:
Gauges: .043 - .056 - .070 - .100
Gauges: .044 - .057 - .072 - .096.
Decisions, decisions? Any thoughts?
Hope they have some in stock locally.

Lorenzini · #9 01-04-2013, 11:02 AM

He uses DR DDT .040 scale, as per the DR website.

testing1two · #10 01-04-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alard

Going to try Thomastik Jazz flats.
GC has two gage sets listed:
Gauges: .043 - .056 - .070 - .100
Gauges: .044 - .057 - .072 - .096.
Decisions, decisions? Any thoughts?
Hope they have some in stock locally.

With TI strings there is only 1 correct gauge based on the scale length of your instrument. For your 34" scale bass the .043-.100 is the correct set, called the JF344 (Jazz Flat/34" Scale/4 string). The .044-.096 set is the extra long set for longer scale basses (JF364).

Alard · #11 01-05-2013, 07:17 PM

Light gage. There was no stock of the TI's at GC.
Really was nostalgic restringing a bass for the first time in years. So far the strings seem to do the job.
Good playability and sound.
First practice Sunday, we'll see.
Thanks to all for your help.
Man it's difficult to play with no calluses on either hand!

Alard · #12 01-07-2013, 12:43 PM

Guitar player walks in while I'm tuning up. "Is that the same bass? Sounds good"
Completely changed the character and feel. Don't know what those rounds were, but they did not produce good tones on that bass.
Thanks.