Strings for Fender Jazz Bass

Scott549 · #1 01-08-2011, 05:23 PM

Recently got a Fender Jazz bass. It came with a new set of Fender flatwound strings. I play pick-style, mostly rock. I don't like a distorted sound but I think I might want something a little brighter. Would I see a significant difference with roundwound strings? Does anyone have a set to recommend? I see many of the Rotosounds seem to get good reviews.

Thanks.

tbink · #2 01-08-2011, 05:26 PM

Thomasik Infeld or DR.

Pearldiver · #3 01-08-2011, 05:33 PM

DR Hi-beams. Expensive, but completely worth it and your Jazz will love you for it.

GG-Thunderbird · #4 01-08-2011, 05:35 PM

You are going to hear a difference between roundwounds and flatwounds. Roundwounds are going to sound brighter, and will not be so focused sonically in mid frequencies.

If you want a good set of roundwounds, I recommend D'Addario Nickels. A little too bright at first, but once broken in they sound great. They'll also save you a few dollars. If you really want bright sounding strings, any stainless steel roundwounds would do the trick.

mark roberts · #5 01-08-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott549

Recently got a Fender Jazz bass. It came with a new set of Fender flatwound strings. I play pick-style, mostly rock. I don't like a distorted sound but I think I might want something a little brighter. Would I see a significant difference with roundwound strings? Does anyone have a set to recommend? I see many of the Rotosounds seem to get good reviews.

Thanks.

I have been a DR player for years. However, when I got a Jazz, I decided to try GHS Bass Boomers. 40x95's. Excellent! Don't last as long a s DRs, but they seemed "designed" for the Fender Jazz bass. I was very impressed. Very affordable, as well.

Blues Bass Man · #6 01-08-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearldiver

DR Hi-beams. Expensive, but completely worth it and your Jazz will love you for it.

Pearldiver speaks the truth. I love DR Hi-Beams on a Fender Jazz Bass.

Maiden Bass · #7 01-09-2011, 05:29 AM

On a Geddy Lee jazz these sound and play the best IMO - http://store.daddario.com/category/1...g_Scale_45-100

Maybe because the GL is brighter than a normal jazz bass?

FatCity · #8 01-09-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearldiver

DR Hi-beams. Expensive, but completely worth it and your Jazz will love you for it.

+1

thunderstation · #9 01-09-2011, 05:56 AM

Recently got a Fender Jazz bass. It came with a new set of Fender flatwound strings. I play pick-style, mostly rock. I don't like a distorted sound but I think I might want something a little brighter. Would I see a significant difference with roundwound strings? Does anyone have a set to recommend? I see many of the Rotosounds seem to get good reviews.
I just got a jazz MIM - it came with roundwounds...they are brighter but you can adjust the tone with the tone control if it's too bright. I'm used to d'addario half rounds on my precision. I have not used them on my jazz though

C.Linton · #10 01-09-2011, 02:07 PM

On my '08 MIA Jazz, Dean Markley Blue Steels (roundwounds). IMO, excellent piano-like tone when new that lasts a good while, and stiil great tone even after they've dulled down a bit.

Scott549 · #11 01-09-2011, 04:04 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to try the Hi-Beams.

g&lplayer · #12 01-10-2011, 11:41 AM

Won't Hi-Beams wear the frets down pretty quickly though? I was always told not to use DR Hi-Beams for this reason...may just be the bass I was going to put them on though.

madmatt · #13 01-10-2011, 11:18 PM

Beware the stainless steel roundwound.
Your frets will hate you.

mdogs · #14 01-11-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g&lplayer

Won't Hi-Beams wear the frets down pretty quickly though? I was always told not to use DR Hi-Beams for this reason...may just be the bass I was going to put them on though.

What is quickly? I have used them for years and the effect on frets is there, but I would never see it as a problem...

Alex E · #15 01-14-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g&lplayer

Won't Hi-Beams wear the frets down pretty quickly though? I was always told not to use DR Hi-Beams for this reason...may just be the bass I was going to put them on though.

I've used Hi-Beams for two years with minimal fret wear. Very, very little. Most SS sets are bad for frets. However, from what I have experienced... and what others on this forum post, that doesn't apply to DR SS strings. Actually, to any DR set.

Scott549 · #16 01-21-2011, 08:10 PM

I bought the Hi-Beams. Hesitated for a few days but tonight decided to put them on. They sound good -- the brighter, punchier sound I was looking for. Thanks for the recommendations. Anyone interested in a barely used set of Fender flatwounds?

lydoss · #17 01-23-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden Bass

On a Geddy Lee jazz these sound and play the best IMO - http://store.daddario.com/category/1...g_Scale_45-100

Maybe because the GL is brighter than a normal jazz bass?

Just put these on mine after your recommendation. Very nice so far - thanks ...

Mike

LaBassGuy · #18 01-23-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearldiver

DR Hi-beams. Expensive, but completely worth it and your Jazz will love you for it.

Yup, these are a favorite around here. I also used Dean markley strings for a bit. I was impressed. They are pretty cheap too.

Scott549 · #19 01-26-2011, 08:11 AM

With the Hi-Beams on my Jazz bass at band practice last night, I actually turned down the tone on the bass a couple of times -- I've never done that before.

mcm · #20 01-26-2011, 08:18 AM

best bang for buck - daddaroi xl 165's - good and cheap and can be found anywhere