what strings for my highway one Jazz?

lemontree · #1 04-30-2009, 03:56 PM

Had a long long break from playing bass but got back into it after about 10 years. I've outgrown my old Ventura stingray copy and ordered a fender jazz highway one. I was using rotos years ago but am reading on here about them eating frets?

What are other highway one players using? and... flat or wounds? I always used wound strings but with sutch a long layoff from playing regularly they are ripping my finger prints off

r379 · #2 04-30-2009, 05:56 PM

Your fingerprints will grow back.

Lemme see, here:
DR Nickel Lo riders. Just trying a set for the first time on my Hwy One. They feel high tension but not obnoxiously so. Good with the mids and not too bright.

TI Superalloys. Last a long time and great tone. Kinda bright when new but that wears off when they break in. Neat strings for what I play.

D'Addario Nickel XLs. Good string and good tone. They won't last as long as the DRs or the TIs but they're cheaper so maybe a good place to start.

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys. Decent tone but not too long lasting. Not pricey either.

Keep in mind that I like middy tone a LOT and don't care for heavy lows or bright highs. I don't do stainless steels. I play blues, funk and soul stuff so you know where I'm coming from. Maybe someone else will come along who can better describe tonal characteristics.

lemontree · #3 05-01-2009, 07:37 AM

thanks for the reply.

I play in a three piece, just me drums and one guitar it's kinda alternative pop rock so I need a big fat sound to fill out the holes left by the guitarist. It is kindof fat punchy mid rangey with scooped lo mid sound I'm aiming for...and I mainly play with a pic JD RIFFS .96mm oh, and I play through a laney RB300 kickback 1 x 12 + horn

What are you rock guys using?

Dunno how to describe my sound...Kula Shaker maybe, yeah that's right on the money for the sound i'm after

DavePlaysBass · #4 05-01-2009, 07:57 AM

I'd go for a "fat" set of nickel rounds. I like Fender 7250s which should come stock on a new Highway 1. Sadowsky Blue Nickels are a great sounding string also IMO. I know some will disagree, but I think a medium gauge set of strings fill out the bottom better than light gauge. Of course there are other variable to consider as well (pickups, EQ, amp, technique etc).

precision punk · #5 05-01-2009, 03:04 PM

D'Addario chromes or
Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats

r379 · #6 05-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Forgot to mention about the TI Superalloys: They're guite smooth to the touch for roundwounds.

lemontree · #7 05-02-2009, 02:34 AM

Thanks guys, much appreciated