Strings for a Fender Kingman acoustic/electric bass?

anderbass · #1 11-24-2011, 12:18 PM

I'd be interested to hear any of your experiences or advice on string choices for the Fender Kingman. I've spent the last month searching our older ABG sting threads but only found a few posts specifically for this particular bass.

I've got a set of La Bella 760n tapewounds on my Jazz bass that I love, but one of my biggest concerns is if these strings (or other alternatives) might have too high of tension for neck or the bridge on the Fender Kingman?

I've only had my Kingman for a month now and I've still got the original Phosphor Bronze strings on it. I actually like the tone of these strings when playing finger style, but I find them a bit brite and clainky sounding when played with a pic.

I've preferred flatwound or tapewound strings on my electric basses for years, so another big Issue I've got with the Phosphor Bronze strings on my ABG is the fret clank/squeak and the super rough feel that causes sore fretting finger tips.

I play my ABG in a fairly low-volume acoustic guitar band doing mellower-rock tunes. We always plug into small amps or the PA, so I'm not concerned at all with how different types of strings would affect my ABG's volume level when unplugged. My kingman is not loud enough unplugged for my playing situations even with Phosphor Bronze strings.

fretlessguy · #2 11-24-2011, 05:08 PM

I tried many different strings types and gauges through the years. I have now come down to a set of GHS Precision flats in their light .40-.95 set. They give the bass a very full sound as compared to phosphor bronze sets I have used, with a lot less fingernoise. Less stess on your top board as well. I used the LaBella tapes for a while, but just prefer the sound of the flats better.

anderbass · #3 11-25-2011, 10:26 AM

Cool thanks.

Did you have to enlarge any of the nut slots to instal LaBella 760n tapewounds on your Kingman?
(I noticed the 760n E-string is a .115 and the original Phosphor Bronze on my Kingman seems to be a .100...)

anderbass · #4 01-01-2012, 10:15 AM

Update:

I ended up installing LaBella 760n tapewounds on my Kingman. They had way less tension than the Phosphor Bronze strings my bass came with, I've now loosened my truss rod about a half turn to compensate.

I did not have to file any of my Kingmans nut slots larger, but did have to slightly enlarge the groove in my E-string Peg before I could push it back in with the larger/.115 diameter E-string. My other 3 Pegs all fit fine.

I'm getting an awesome warm-woody tone from these strings with virtually no string squeak. I filed my Bridge down a bit to lower the action, and that coupled with the much lower tension of these strings has required that I use lighter right hand technique, but overall I feel this has actually improved my playing.

After playing them for a month, I'm loving the feel and tone, and would definitely recommend these strings for the Kingman.

**dmonroe** · #5 01-01-2012, 10:52 AM

I don't like the bronze strings that came with my Kingman for the very reasons you mentioned. Someone here at TB reccomended that I try Fender SS Flatwound Custom Light strings .045-.105, (9050CL) and I love them. Nice and quiet but they are still capable of having a little bit of "edge" to them since they are SS.

Gintaras · #6 02-05-2012, 07:37 AM

I have used the originals, and DR Rare. Switched to TI Acousticore's which I also had on my ElCapitan. These are by far my favorite strings. The TI's were the loudest acoustically and by far my favorites strings when plugged in. I find the Kingman acoustically only good for practice but it really sounds good when plugged in. Also I had my luthier reshape the saddle to its proper curvature and put in a new bone nut. This also made a noticeable difference. The nut on mine was a piece of badly crafted plastic.