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Acoustic bass guitar strings

Jackknyfe

Jackknyfe

Oct 4, 2014
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#1
So I played electric bass for several years, but had basically stopped playing for about 10 years. I recently have been getting into bluegrass music and have started playing again. I bought a cheap acoustic bass guitar to practice on, and upgraded to a nice (but not top of the line) Dean acoustic bass guitar.

When I went to get my first set of strings in years, I asked about electric vs. acoustic strings. I was told that there isn't really a difference, and could use any set. I ordered a set of Rotosounds and they actually sent me a set of lighter gauge 66LA's, between 30-85. I really enjoy the thinner strings, but haven't tried them on the Dean just yet. I read that the Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic strings sounded really good, and that's what I have on the Dean at this time. They do sound really good, (although it could also be the difference in axe quality), but they are my first bronze made strings. The bronze stains my fingertips black, and they stink. The strings themselves, not my fingertips.

So I have a couple of questions. One, does it really matter which strings I use, such as acoustic vs. regular? And two, what are some other decent strings to try out? I'm trying to learn and play bluegrass and while I know that I won't quite replicate the doublebass sound, something similar to it would be nice.
 
#2
One, it doesn't really matter. Unlike an acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass guitar doesn't have the body size to adequately reproduce the volume needed to play it unplugged with a couple of acoustic guitars. So, since you're going to be amplified when playing with anyone, using dedicated "acoustic" strings isn't really needed. I find the bronze strings stain my fingers black as well; couldn't get them off my Warwick Alien fast enough.

Two, if you want to try and emulate an URB sound, go with a set of tapewound strings. They're mellow enough and will give you that initial percussive thump and faster decay that an URB has.
 
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#3
Phosphor bronze strings on an acoustic make an acoustic sound....like an acoustic. Like an acoustic guitar tuned down an octave.

Regular steel or nickel rounds also sound acousticy, but more similar to an electric bass sound.

Tapewounds sound more acousticy than steel/nickel rounds and less acousticy than phosphor bronze, and have the added bonus of reducing fingernoise which is generally fairly harsh on an acoustic.

For bluegrass, tapewounds or flatwounds are the best choice...in my opinion. Lighter is better
 
#4
Jon Moody said:
One, it doesn't really matter. Unlike an acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass guitar doesn't have the body size to adequately reproduce the volume needed to play it unplugged with a couple of acoustic guitars. So, since you're going to be amplified when playing with anyone, using dedicated "acoustic" strings isn't really needed. I find the bronze strings stain my fingers black as well; couldn't get them off my Warwick Alien fast enough.

Two, if you want to try and emulate an URB sound, go with a set of tapewound strings. They're mellow enough and will give you that initial percussive thump and faster decay that an URB has.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. The Dean bass is a large, almost mariachi type instrument, and so far it hasn't needed an amp when playing with other acoustic instruments. I know what you mean, though, and the old bass certainly wasn't loud enough.

Do you have any recommendations on tapewound brands? Preferably in the lower to mid range pricing.
 
#5
^^^
Yeah, go to the Carvin site and get a set of LaBella 760N's. Cheapest $$$ out there. Off set the S7H with 2 sets and you'll be set for years. And I do mean years.
Oh, and bump your action up a bit so you can really get the strings moving. And try a little felt as well. See if you like the slightly muted sound.
 
#6
A lot of folks are using La Bella white tapes on acoustic bass guitar. Great tone, lasts forever. I like the idea of the tapes, even though I don't own an acoustic bass guitar (yet) because the nylon tape as a buffer between the string and the saddle may alleviate some of the piezo "quack" that sometimes occurs.
 
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#7
D'Addario black tapewounds. I put them on my Dean and they're better than I could've hoped for...amazing tone.
Can't wait to play out with it!
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#8
Thank you, everybody. I'll definitely be ordering some tapewounds this week. It's nice to know they will really last.

I have heard about electric bassists using a piece of foam at the bridge (I think) to mimic an upright sound. Where exactly does the piece of felt go?
 
#12
I play a Tacoma Thunderchief (CB10e) and a Guild B-50. The Chief is strung with GHS nylon wounds, the Guild with D'Addario nylons wounds. I like 'em both. I play a lot of bluegrass, country, Americana, jazz and blues. I use the ABG's when I can't or prefer not to use the upright. I don't think you'll go wrong with tape wounds.
 
#13
iiipopes said:
A lot of folks are using La Bella white tapes on acoustic bass guitar. Great tone, lasts forever. I like the idea of the tapes, even though I don't own an acoustic bass guitar (yet) because the nylon tape as a buffer between the string and the saddle may alleviate some of the piezo "quack" that sometimes occurs.
Click to expand...
+1 I think the La Bella 760T White nylon would be a good choice or perhaps the 760C White nylon "copper". The 760T "steel" cores are great for solid body or acoustic basses.
 
#15
I have TI Acousticore (bronze/nylon) on my ABG. I love the sound and soft feel, the only minor downsides are they are quiet (not a big deal since I always amplify) and they do indeed turn my fingers black. Back when I had a fretless ABG, the warmth and 'mwah' on these TI strings were incredible. :)
 
#16
I have feeling TI Acousticores are best used on amplified, fretless ABG's. I had a set on a fretted ABG a while back. After a couple months, there were notches worn into the strings from the frets. It was only a matter of time before they snapped. That, and the light gauge and super low tension isn't optimal for acoustic volume. Nice tone though.
 

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