Time to start experimenting with string types, so where to start?

Telamon · #1 07-16-2011, 09:08 AM

Alright, so I've got my first bass (Squier VM Jag, 34"), got my first amp, now I figure it's time to check out the basic options for strings. Simply put, I want to get first hand experience with the difference between flats and rounds, without spending too much $$$. So that leads to a couple of related questions:

1. What kind of flats should I get, just to start? I don't want to break the bank, in case I hate the sound or whatever, but I also don't want to get terrible strings that will fail to do flats justice. General opinion on the board seems to be that D'Addario is a good place to start, but I'm open to other ideas. Also, what sort of gauges should I be considering?

2. Just how bad are the strings my bass came with? The Squier site describes them as "Fender® USA, NPS (.045, .065, .085, .105)". Should I be worried about getting a better set of rounds for comparison? I'm not worried about finding "the perfect tone" here, I just want something that will provide a base-line for comparison.

3. Chrome rounds? Half-rounds? Should I just wait until I've compared basic rounds and flats before I worry about those?

Thanks for any help.

MycooLeeyun · #2 07-16-2011, 09:16 AM

It would help to know what type of sound you're after. When it comes to rounds, you could go steel rounds or nickel plated rounds. With the steel you're going to get a "brighter" tone and with the nickel plated you're going to get a more "mellow" tone out of the box. The strings that your squier came with probably aren't the best strings to do a real comparison with. I have no experience with flats so I can't help you there. Go online and get your strings. For low budget but quality rounds I'd start with Dunlop or D'Addario. Of course these are just my preference and there are many more you could try. I would try out some steel and nickel plated rounds before I dabble with the chrome and half-rounds. Also, there is a huge string review here on the forums on a whole bunch of different strings which you can find here ( Bass Guitar String Reviews - Bass Gear Reviews at TalkBass.com ). Hope this helps

dogbluedrummer · #3 07-16-2011, 10:29 AM

What kind of music do you like to play? Also, are you playing in a band or by yourself? How big are your amp & speakers?

Here are some ideas to get you started, very popular options.
DR Hi Beams, round, lots of bite and zing.
DR Sunbeams, nickel rounds, less zing but good growl.
D'Addario Chromes, flats with a lot of mids and overtones.
La Bella Deep Talkin Flats, flats, more subtle but more thumpy.
TI Jazz Flats, short sustain but creamy midtones.

Telamon · #4 07-16-2011, 04:21 PM

I just started learning, so honestly, I can't say anything about what music I hope to play other than "Rock, probably?". I'm playing on a Peavey Max 156 right now, and at this point, all the knobs on it and my bass don't really mean anything to me; I guess I'm still trying to find what kind of tone I want to have. I'm more curious in seeing if there are strings out there that just 'feel right.'

dogbluedrummer · #5 07-16-2011, 04:54 PM

If it were me, I'd buy the D'Addario Chromes. Great feel, great tone, works for all genres of music.

Then start focusing on learning the fretboard, developing solid rhythm, and knowing your chord tones.

Solarmist · #6 07-16-2011, 05:25 PM

Stainless rounds = really bright
Nickel rounds = warm & bright
Half-rounds = warm & not so bright
Flats = dull & not bright

Toptube · #7 07-16-2011, 10:29 PM

If you want to experiment cheaply, but with strings that are still of good quality, you just can't beat webstrings.

SIT strings are also priced aggressively and have a very full range of string types. I like SIT stuff a lot.

and most Rotos are priced pretty well. Especially their nickel rounds without the silk.

darkstorm · #8 07-18-2011, 10:05 PM

Theres a lot of diff soundwise between various roundwounds. Just like with flatwounds and halfwounds. You really do need to start having some idea about what kind of tone you like and want. What bands turned you on th wanting to play bass? Whay did you take up bass? What kinds of music do you most like? Bass strings are expensive compared to guitar strings. Experimenting with diff ones just to find the roundwounds you like best is gonna cost a bit.

For gauges Id suggerst stick to std gauge 45-105 or light in the 40-100 range untill youve found the type and make Such as roundwound(type) and rotosound swing66 (make). If you decide you like to downtune, the heavier gauge would be better in most cases.

Obviously I'll assume you havent done anything to tweak your basses pups for best sound for you. Have you learned to set up action for yourself yet?

Before experimenting with strings, figure out what kids of sound your after based on liked bands and music genres faves. Unless your ubber rich and can drop several hundred dolloars on the string experiment. Lol.

Though I'm not sure such an experiment would teach you anything at all, since you say you havent figured out anything tone wise likes for yourself either for the basses settings or amps.

wideyes · #9 07-19-2011, 12:54 AM

I'd recommend that you do definitely replace the stock strings ASAP. Stock strings are never any good on affordable instruments.

A few of my prefs: Didn't care for Chromes (sounded sterile to me). Loved TI Jazz flats (but those are expensive). I have some Fender flats on the way, and they're very affordable. Thought I preferred flats, but then rediscovered rounds with DR Sunbeams - great strings (nickel rounds, feel and sound mellow and lovely). Got some DR Hi-Beams (steel rounds) and really disliked those (they felt sticky and sounded awful on the two basses I tried). All preference, though. Just replace those stock strings with something.