/ Register

Acoustic Bass Strings

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by jankjo, Jul 17, 2003.

  1. Jul 17, 2003 #1
    jankjo

    jankjo

    May 22, 2002
    What strings do you like to use on your acoustic bass and why?

    (I am sure there is a thread out there on this, but the search engine is down and I am impatient... :rolleyes:
     
  2. Jul 17, 2003 #2
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    Labella 760N nylon tapes, because I like 'em.

    And search is back up. You're right - losts of info about this in the archive.
     
  3. Jul 24, 2003 #3
    jankjo

    jankjo

    May 22, 2002
    I just got a set of Labella nylon tapewounds from Carvin to put on a Tacoma ABG. I love the way they sound!. I have to file the grooves in the nut because the LaBellas won't fit. I am thinking about getting another set for my Renaissance. I have TI acousticores on it right now. I really don't like the feel or sound of round wound strings. They always sound metalic to me. I tried TI Jazz flats on it (which I LOVE the sound of on my Warwick) but they didn't sound very good with the piezo pickup. I guess I am just rambling, cause i'm excited about the new strings.
    By the way, how long do these tapewound strings last?
     
  4. Jul 24, 2003 #4
    Monkey

    Monkey Supporting Member

    Mar 8, 2000
    Ohio, USA
    Tapewounds last a long time. I've had some tapes on a fretless for a couple of years. I've used them on fretted and fretless basses, and just put them on a Carlo Robelli ABG.
     
  5. Jul 25, 2003 #5
    Yggdrasil

    Yggdrasil

    Aug 16, 2001
    Toronto/Buffalo
    I tried the 760Ns on my Ren - didn't like 'em, went back to Acousticores (which the Ren is designed for).

    Have the Labellas on my Rob Allen MB2 & on my Guild B30E - love their sound on these 2 basses.


    Also had them on a Lakland HB (now gone); sounded good there as well. But then, they didn't do much on a Casady (I'm now happy with my strings on my Casadys - one with TI jazz Flats, one with Markley Blue Steels)

    But on the Ren, no.

    YMMV
     
  6. Jul 25, 2003 #6
    wulf

    wulf

    Apr 11, 2002
    Oxford, UK
    I love the Thomastick-Infeld strings I've got on mine (Acousticore? I can't remember the name). They're great sounding, although I can see how some would be put off by the way they roll under the fingers.

    I'll be looking for the same again when it comes round to replacing them.

    Wulf
     
  7. Jul 25, 2003 #7
    jankjo

    jankjo

    May 22, 2002
    Avignon,
    It is interesting that you like the LaBellas on the Rob Allen, but not on the Turner Renaissance. I thought these two basses were pretty comparable. Why don't you like the sound of the LaBellas on the Ren, and what, to you, is different about these two basses.
     
  8. Jul 25, 2003 #8
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    I've had the same set of tapes on my Thunderchief for about a year and a half now, and they show no signs of dying. If anything, they may be getting warmer - but that may be the Tacoma's top breaking in.

    I'm looking for a couple of short-scale sets for my Applause ABG and my Starfire.
     
  9. Jul 25, 2003 #9
    Yggdrasil

    Yggdrasil

    Aug 16, 2001
    Toronto/Buffalo
    jankjo:

    IIRC, the Ren lost its zing with the Labellas.
    I put 'em on & took 'em off in the space of 30 minutes.They sounded "dead" in comparison to the Labellas ON THE REN.

    I don't think these basses are as comparable as as they seem on the surface. To my ears,the RA has a lot of dark low thump, the Ren a midrange emphasis.I like both of them, but they aren't the same bass.Note also that I like the Labellas a lot - I have them on 2 basses - but I dislike them on specific basses I have tried them on.

    Again, YMMV
     
  10. Jul 25, 2003 #10
    jankjo

    jankjo

    May 22, 2002
    Dark low thump is what I want. The acousticores on the Ren don't give me that sound, but I don't know what else to try. Maybe it is the Ren. I agree that some strings sound great on some basses and lousy on others. I LOVE the TI Jazz flats, but on the Ren they sounded awful.