• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best Strings for Classic EB-O Sound?

#21
I have a 1969 Gibson EBO, can get that exact same sound, and here is how: 1. GHS Brite flat short scales. NO, they are not THAT expensive, plus they last forever if you take care of them. 2. Use a pick- I use .73 medium thickness. 3. Tone know all the way up. 4. I have the foam mute on it still, which helps, but you can also shove some foam under the strings near the bridge.
Some people hate the EB0, but it is a decent bass if you know how to set it up and play it the right way. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iristone, CCtop and michael_t
#25
Flats can be cool but my absolute favourite strings for "modern" EB-style basses (like the Epiphones or the Gibson SGs) are the Pyramid Pure Nickel roundwounds. They take some time to break in, at least a couple of weeks of regular playing, but once they've reached their full potential they are the fattest sounding roundwounds I've ever played and a perfect fit for the "EB sound".

Every other roundwound strings I've tried on Epiphone EBs have been horrible. It's feels like the highs are somehow disconnected from the rest of the sound, like there's a hole in the sound somewhere in the upper mids. No such problems with a broken in set of Pyramid Pure Nickels. They are ultra smooth/fat and just get better with age. Very much like a good set of flatwounds in that respect but they still feel and respond like a roundwound.

However, the Pyramid Pure Nickels go through an absolutely HORRIBLE phase that may last a couple of weeks so I suspect a lot of people have given up on them. Out of the box they sound ok but nothing special. Then they lose the zing relatively fast and stay in a nasty "tin can" clanky phase for a couple of weeks. This is pure torture and it takes quite a bit of determination to get through this phase. But then they suddenly (seemingly out of nowhere and typically overnight) transform into the fattest, warmest roundwounds you are ever likely to try. They even sound fatter than other strings UNPLUGGED. Very unique strings but they require a bit of patience to reach their full potential and even then probably not everyone's cup of tea. Great for modern Epiphone EBs if you want a FAT, warm and boomy (in a good way) sound.
 
#26
Deleted member 271037 said:
Flats can be cool but my absolute favourite strings for "modern" EB-style basses (like the Epiphones or the Gibson SGs) are the Pyramid Pure Nickel roundwounds. They take some time to break in, at least a couple of weeks of regular playing, but once they've reached their full potential they are the fattest sounding roundwounds I've ever played and a perfect fit for the "EB sound."
Click to expand...
Sounds like (pun intended) GHS Pure Balanced Nickels, which don't have the wonky break-in period, and are less expensive.
 
#30
iiipopes said:
Sounds like (pun intended) GHS Pure Balanced Nickels, which don't have the wonky break-in period, and are less expensive.
Click to expand...

Have you tried both or are you just guessing? I've never tried the GHS Balanced Nickels but they look very interesting. I generally don't like GHS strings very much but I do like roundwounds that are on the warmer side of the spectrum so these nickels are probably something I should check out (but then again, I thought the same about the GHS Pressurewounds and ended up throwing them in the thrash).

As for the price I can only assume it must depend on where you buy them. At Thomann the Pyramid nickels are 25 euros and the GHS nickels are 31 euros.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HaphAsSard
#32
CCtop said:
Eventually they’ll HAVE to be changed. I want to be ready for when that day comes.
Click to expand...

Interesting thought. I'll have to consider that for the 20 year old flats on my Univox bass and Lotus fretless, and the 48 year old flats on my old Precision bass.

I wonder when the flats on my newer basses will be ready? The ones on the '64 EB-0 are only 10 years old, so judging by the strings on the old Precision, I guess it will be after 2058 when they're ready. I better order soon.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: CCtop
#34
CCtop said:
Pain in the ass with some of these strings. Damn packages don't say the scale. My bass has a 30.5 neck. Any ideas which short scale flats will fit that? And the darker, the better.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about "scale length" as much. The most important thing is the "winding length" (ball end to silk/taper). You can find out what winding length your bass needs by measuring the physical distance from where the ball end sits on your bass and where the string just clears the nut. That would be the minimum winding length you need. Then measure from the ball end to the E tuner post, which would be the maximum in order to keep the main body of the string from wrapping around the post.

Refer to this list to find out which manufacturer would have the correct length for your bass:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#36
I'm looking at these. Finding them is another story...
 

Attachments

  • ab8ab8be2abe61802922e7489534db64.jpg
    ab8ab8be2abe61802922e7489534db64.jpg
    186.4 KB · Views: 63

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back