Strings for volume

[loon784]

Just bought my first DB, a Romanian carved, I put gut strings on the g & d and steel on the e&a. It's not loud enough to be heard over an accoustic guitar. Can anyone please suggest the loudest strings.

[billyfalconer]

So you've already raised your action? Had a luthier look at the postition of the sound post & bridge?

[TimoMetzemakers]

Hello loon784, and welcome to the dark side! If the bass isn't loud enough to be heard over an acoustic guitar, I suspect that there is either something very wrong with the bass, or with your technique.

Before buying new strings, I think you should get an experienced bass player to try out your instrument, and ask him about his opinion on the bass.

Timo

[B. Graham]

After you look into the set-up and tecnique, I'd suggest Thomastik Dominant's. On the stiffer side tension-wise, which is cool when you dig in. Kind of a gut-like attack. Loudest string (on my bass anyway) that I've ever tried.

I've heard that Velvet Anima's are a pretty loud string as well, but with noticeably less tension than the Dom's.

[TroyK]

I agree that you should first:

* Have someone else play your bass and see what kind of sound they can coax out of it.
* Have a luthier check things like your soundpost. If it's in the wrong place or a mm too long, it could be choking your sound out.

Stings can make a difference, but if your soundpost is not properly fitted, they won't solve your problem.

Just my opinion, for whatever it's worth.

[glivanos]

Try a set of Thomastik Spirocore Orchestra gauge (mittels).

Try to find a used set to try out in case you do not like them.