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Acoustic bass vs electric?

#61
From what I can tell, the TI Jazz strings would work too- but are substantially more expensive. Worth the price difference? What's your experience with the TI Jazz strings and the D'Addario Chromes? Which do you recommend?
 
#62
MoonlightBass said:
From what I can tell, the TI Jazz strings would work too- but are substantially more expensive. Worth the price difference? What's your experience with the TI Jazz strings and the D'Addario Chromes? Which do you recommend?
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Make sure you check the tension on the TI's. If it's anything like the TI Aciusticores, it's very light, and near impossible to dig in for any kind of unplugged volume. I ate through a set within two months. Never again, especially at the given price point.
 
#63
MD said:
Make sure you check the tension on the TI's. If it's anything like the TI Aciusticores, it's very light, and near impossible to dig in for any kind of unplugged volume. I ate through a set within two months. Never again, especially at the given price point.
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That sounds like a vote for the Chromes.

I don't really care about unamplified volume since I have my thermonuclear amp. I'm assuming that ABG strings are made the way they are- so bright with high overtones- to better hear them unamplified?

I have no intention of playing unamplified, though I'm OK with practicing scales and arpeggios without the amp.
 
#64
The local guy (it's pretty rural out here) only had Ernie Ball flats and Fenders. I bought a set of Ernie Balls since the gauge was exactly what I've got now. I may yet order the D'Addarios or the TI Flats if I'm not satisfied with the Ernie Balls.
 
#65
I've installed the Ernie Ball (Group III flatwound). I wish I'd done this a long time ago. I haven't plugged it in to the amp yet (kids are asleep) but unamplified I dig the sound. It is somewhat double-bass-like, without the bright overtones- and no string noise on the glissandos! I think we have a winner.

Note to self: the 100 E string barely made it through the bridge. Nit even going to try anything bigger than 100 on this guitar, not even the 105 Fenders.

Hopefully this weekend I'll get to mess around a bit and record. If I do I'll post it on Soundcloud and post a link here so you can hear it.

This has been a real education. Thanks guys.
 
#68
Thanks to all you guys. I've been working too hard on getting up to speed on the double bass, and playing stuff thats frankly over my head. Was getting frustrated being a beginner! I am far and away a better bass guitarist, though I still have a lot to learn.

I *really* like the flats. Being self-taught, I had no idea they made such a thing. These flats are very much like the Innovation Honeys on my Engelhardt.

I was just now shaking off the cobwebs playing scales and the Sarabande from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1. Maybe this weekend I'll record an (imperfect) presentation of the Sarabande so you can hear what this thing sounds like. I'd like to get back all of Suite No. 1 in time.
 
#73
MoonlightBass said:
That sounds like a vote for the Chromes.

I don't really care about unamplified volume since I have my thermonuclear amp. I'm assuming that ABG strings are made the way they are- so bright with high overtones- to better hear them unamplified?.
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Yeah, a deep bodied ABG, usually with heavy plectrum, has an awesome punchy, but still bassy, sound with phosphour bronze, a la the Violent Femmes "Blister in the Sun". But it takes a good, large ABG to get anywhere near that sound. I still have a Cort model that's only a bit smaller than the Guild B30s, but the Cort has a 34" scale.

I love em with flats though too. Nice woody thumpy sound.
 
#75
overall, i would say an electric...I have a (great) MK Dragonfly and thought the stock brass wounds were a little bright and (like you said) the slides sometimes sounded abrasive.

I put flats on it and it sounds MUCH better (IMHO), the first set was Chromes and the second set was Sadowsky black label flats (medium gauge)....the Sadowsky's are easier to play for me...love them (I am a round wound guy and this and a fretless are the only basses I have with flats)

my daughter was in Seussical and some of the parts do sound fun to play! This was for middle school so they used a recording for the music.
 
#78
Thanks. I agree it doesn't sound like a double bass- but it does have a resonant sound that a solid body electric (much as I love 'em) doesn't have. I think this will work great for the musical.

Thank you all so much! This has been an education for me.
 

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