Possible Problem with my Bass strings?

[Zeppelin Nights]

Hi all,

I'm a relatively new bassist, i've been playing since November, self taught. Ever so recently I changed my strings, and bought some bronze bass strings from the local guitar shop. I've put them on fine, but when I play, it's constantly noisy when I push down on the strings on the fretboard, especially the E string. I'm obviously not on about the notes i'm playing as if they're noisy then that's a good thing surely, but it just sounds....rough. My previous bass strings weren't like this. I'm using a Vintage V4 bass.

I don't exactly 'suck' at bass playing either, as i've gotten a lot of compliments from local band players that I know, which is promising, and i've got the determination to stick with the instrument as I absolutely love playing it. But this is making it quite unplayable as of late, really.

Another thing, seeing as i'm self taught I didn't exactly know where to start back in November. I sometimes have a problem now and again where you can just clearly hear me moving my hand from note to note, which again, sounds odd, and pretty rough playing. Has anyone got any tips to sort that out? Or am I just being lazy with my left hand at some points?

Thanks a lot in advance, any type of informative answer will help a great deal!

[father of fires]

Well, bronze strings are usually for acoustic bass guitars which require a higher tension string. I could be wrong and there may be a different type that I don't know about. If I'm right, this string could be harmful to your bass's neck.

Either way, It sounds like your bass needs a setup.

Would you say its a buzzing sound?

[Zeppelin Nights]

Yep, buzzing is the only way i'd describe it.

[Essen]

Yep. That sounds like acoustic strings.

[Zeppelin Nights]

Okay, thanks for that.

Atleast I know now. That'd be the problem to my 2nd question too then? or is it me just being lazy sometimes? Haha.

[Pilgrim]

Honestly, I think you need to try strings designed for the instrument you're playing, read the info on this forum on string installation, and then work through a setup.

It's not that the bronze strings are bad, but they're really not designed for the application you're using them for.

If you do some searches you can find discussions about strings and sources for relatively inexpensive strings. I bought my last sets from imperialguitars.com, which offers excellent prices on a number of strings.

[TheMutt]

I am assuming that the Vintage V4 is a Fender-alike copy (Google'd it). Bronze strings are a different beast from standard roundwounds. If you were having a little finger noise on your old strings, it will be much worse on the bronze strings. Additionally, the output of the bronze strings will be much less than standard strings due to the decreased magnetic content of the strings. Unless your bass is an acoustic bass, you should stick to nickel or stainless steel (or monel or titanium or nylon tapewound or coated) bass strings.

Some of my favorite brands:
D'Addario
DR
Ernie Ball
La Bella
Rotosound

Also, if you want almost no finger noise, switch to flatwounds.

[elzeder]

Hi

Yep you might not have the right string there, like said already, bronze are more for acoustic basses and have a rougher, grippier sound under the fingers.

Since you live in the UK i'd suggest checking out Stringbusters, very cheap and barely any shipping costs if you want new ones

But if you like the sound of those strings, try a setup on the bass, its not that hard and scary, just be gentle especially with the trussrod