Best strings for fingerstyle on jazz bass

[Definitely]

When they are the same string brand / type, they are going to feel thicker under your fingers / sound a but fuller / and be higher tension.

The Regular Slinky will feel in tension like you tuned your bass up a little more than a half step.

Ok, so I have used D'Addario XL Nickels (.045 - .105) for as long as I've been playing, and i'm considering switching over to some Roto Swing 66's in the near future. I'm thinking of going with Medium (.040-.095) or Med-Light (.035-.90 for a change. Will there be an extreme difference in tension? My Carvin has tension adjustment but I'd rather not have to use it.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Yes there will be.

Any time you change string gauge or even the same gauges with a different manufacturer you should do a basic setup (intonation / action / truss rod tweak).

Take the 45-105 XL Nickels for example:

Tension in lbs/in

.045 = 42.8
.065 = 51.3
.085 = 48.4
.105 = 40.3

Average 45.7 lbs tension

Then if you drop to 40-95

.040 = 33.7
.060 = 42.9
.075 = 38.0
.095 = 34.4

Average 37.25 lbs/in

Thats a significant difference but nothing a slight tweak of some adjustments wont take care of.

And it depends on the instrument too... I have some instruments where I can switch between light and heavy gauge strings and not NEED to adjust the neck (just action / intonation) and I have one where any change I need a quarter turn here or there...

 

[Definitely]

Hmmm, because if the tone is worth it well then it's worth taking some time to get it right. Not to hijack this thread any further, I will ask one last question. Are the 66's the best choice for a less boomy, more Geddy tone? On an active jazz-type bass.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Well, you are talking about a difference between stainless steel and nickel plated steel as well.

The Rotosound 66's will be quite a bit brighter than the XL Nickels. They will still have a strong bottom end, just more overall brilliance.

 

[Definitely]

Sounds good, thank you!

 

[nashman]

I guess the only thing I don't like about the superslinkys is the floppy tension. if I could find something that sounded the same and has tighter tension, That's what I would play.

Same here. I switched to EB Hybrid Slinkys and like them very much - esp. the beefier E string.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

(Hybrid Slinky's are .045 .065 .085 .105)

 

[punkinfantry]

I put some 45-105 sunbeams on my squier vm jazz and am really impressed with the feel and sound of them!