strings for a fender jazz bass any suggestions

paganhousecat · #1 12-17-2008, 10:47 PM

i just got a brand new American made fender jazz bass and I'm wondering if any one could recommend a good set of strings i use ernie ball for my guitar and was thinking of going with the brand for my bass but i want to stay true to the jazz bass sound i like so much it doesn't seem appropriate according to their adds

eedo · #2 12-18-2008, 10:07 AM

TIs, Elixirs, DR LoRiders (SS and nickel), Ernie Ball flats. Rotosounds will give you the tone, but they may be a subject to taste.

shoot-r · #3 12-19-2008, 01:05 PM

I just put a new set of DR Highbeams on my "08" Jazz....I think I'm in luv!!!!

madbassplaya · #4 12-19-2008, 01:07 PM

i like fender strings 8250s to be exact.

they are good and cheap!

those are the only strings that sound "great" on my both my jazz Vs.

The Dave · #5 12-19-2008, 03:38 PM

If you want to stay true to the original sound, stay with Fender 7250s like the factory. If you want to stay true to the Jazz sound, that's a tougher one. Lots of people have made lots of different sounds with their Js. I've been looking for my idea of that sound for a couple of years. I got a Mexican Std J. Dropped in some DiMarzio Model Js. Put on D'Addario Half Rounds - hated them. Changed wiring to Vol/Blend/Tone with 500k/500k blend pot. Put on DR Nickel Lo Riders - hated them. Put on Fender 7150 Pure Nickel Rounds - liked them. Put on Rotosound Nickel Rounds - meh. The Fender 7150s got me closer than anything else, but I got rid of the original 7250s and changed the pickups before I could really get an idea of what they sounded like. So, today, I'm going to put on a fresh set of 7250 (Nickel plated steel) mediums and give them another shot. I'm looking for a little more bite and midrange growl than I've been getting. I'm also thinking about switching to Custom Shop '60s pups, or maybe Fralins. So, don't be surprised if you see some used DiMarzios on the classifieds in the next couple of months.

Anyhow, don't lose heart, we'll find it some day.

JTE · #6 12-19-2008, 05:29 PM

Like every string, it's all about what YOU want to hear. You'll either try them all, or try a few until you find one you like. Doesn't matter a'tall what others like. For every string that folk's recommend, you'll find as many other who detest that brand/style.

But what we CAN help with is narrowing the options. Look through the string stickies to see the common things- flats/round/modified rounds, stainless/nickle/tape, hex core/round core, etc.

jte

Koffin Keith · #7 12-19-2008, 05:31 PM

On my jazz I love the DR Marcus Miller fat beams. I am also a fan of Flatwounds

Matt R. · #8 12-19-2008, 05:40 PM

I use Ernie Ball .45-.100's (in the pink package) on my 1974 and 2008 Fender Jazz Basses. Love those strings

dhagler · #9 12-19-2008, 05:53 PM

I have DR Marcus Miller fat beams on my fretless 4, but d'Addario halfwounds on my fretted 5. Next time around I will probably swap up.

lijazz · #10 12-19-2008, 07:53 PM

I also just bought a new '08 Jazz American Standard...first thing I did was put DR High Beams on it and I love the tone. Playing through an Ampeg BA115 I can get just about any sound. The DRs seem a bit more wobbly than other SS strings, but they rule in tone and playability.

Dave R · #11 12-19-2008, 07:57 PM

I have Fender 9050s on my '73 Jazz, and will probably never use another string. They just sound perfect.

Mad Tango · #12 12-19-2008, 08:14 PM

Funny, today I just sold a Reddi Di box to a guy that I didn't know he was a professional bass player. He stated that he was going to use it on their next CD. He said for me to check out his band on You tube and later today I did. I was suprised to see he is an band whose music I have heard on Christian radio and they have a hit called "Song of Hope". The name of the band is Robbie Seay Band. You can see him play on the song "Come thou fount". Anyway, I liked his sound and he E-mailed and said he played on DR Bootsy Collins signature strings and that they lasted a long time. I am going to give them a try as they sounded fantastic.

John Wentzien · #13 12-19-2008, 08:19 PM

webstrings.com

LowDown Hal · #14 12-20-2008, 03:50 PM

Every time you need new strings try something different until you find the ones you like. I went through a bunch before settling on TI Power Bass strings.

REAPER52 · #15 12-20-2008, 03:53 PM

Fender 7250's

The Dave · #16 12-20-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Tango

Funny, today I just sold a Reddi Di box to a guy that I didn't know he was a professional bass player. He stated that he was going to use it on their next CD. He said for me to check out his band on You tube and later today I did. I was suprised to see he is an band whose music I have heard on Christian radio and they have a hit called "Song of Hope". The name of the band is Robbie Seay Band. You can see him play on the song "Come thou fount". Anyway, I liked his sound and he E-mailed and said he played on DR Bootsy Collins signature strings and that they lasted a long time. I am going to give them a try as they sounded fantastic.

Robbie Seay Band rocks!

Jactap · #17 12-20-2008, 04:19 PM

Fender flats ftw

ryanowens · #18 01-29-2009, 02:54 PM

WORD!

the DR Bootsy strings really are great. I use them on all my basses.

The only reason for the bootsy line is because they are the only coated DR's that look like regular bass strings. I think the coating is either clear or silver.

Enjoy!

Ryan

FenderFunk · #19 01-29-2009, 03:01 PM

i have a active jazz bass and I find that DR loriders work the best for me

Allmanfan456 · #20 01-29-2009, 07:21 PM

If you want the Ernie Balls get them but in my experience they get rusty and terrible sounding within a month. I highly suggest Dean Markley Blue Steels. Once there streched out they have a nice bassy tone to them.

I think if you should buy some diffrent strings and try em all out see which ones you like best.