Last Fender Jazz i had, I preferred the stock Fenders over Sunbeams which I normally used on all my basses, including past Fender Jazz basses. On my non-Fender Jazz 5 I’m using regular Slinkys.
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I also feel the 'Stock Factory'
strings AKA Fender Super Bass 7250M NPS hex core are excellent and after a few hours time on them can be described as 'vintage and punchy' also competitive to most 'Rounds' mentioned.Albeit Strings are very personal and subjective with ambiguous adjectives describing them.
D'Addario NYXL 45-95
They're super zingy at first, so if that's what you want, they aren't the most expensive string to replace often. However once they break in they have a nice full tone without feeling to 'thin' under your fingers.
They're super zingy at first, so if that's what you want, they aren't the most expensive string to replace often. However once they break in they have a nice full tone without feeling to 'thin' under your fingers.
I use LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass White Tape Wound flats. They are the perfect mix of thump and brightness and are the most well balanced sounding strings (from string to string) that I've ever used. And they are much easier of the fingers than the round wounds.
Used Fender flatwounds back in 1966 when I first bought my '65 Jazz. Around '72 I switched to the Fender Black Tape Wound flats. Played those until my bass and amp were stolen in 1976.
In 1985 when I finally found another Jazz with the same neck profile as my '65, it came with Dean Markely Blue Steel round wound strings. I replaced them twice with the same strings over about 25-years. Then I switched to DR Black Beauty strings, which were also round wound. They had better sound on the D and G strings than the Blue Steel did. The Blue Steel strings got a bit thin sounding on the D and G strings.
In 2018 I needed to replace the DR Black Beauty strings because I wore most of the black coating off of them in the front and they were bright silver where they met the frets. Saw a comparison video that Scott from Scott's Bass Lessons did using different strings on the same bass playing the same riffs. The Tape Wound Labella's were the best of both worlds. They had plenty of top end without being thin sounding and still plenty good solid lows. So I thought I'd try a set.
I ordered the LaBella White tape wounds to match my Olympic White Jazz which is all white including pickguard, pickups, control knobs, and binding on the neck. Come to find out they are the brightest of the Tape Wounds they make with the Gold, Copper, and Black tape wounds all having a little darker sound. I will absolutely replace these with another set when these die.
D'Addario Chromes are working out nicely on my jazz. Great supportive, fat, bass tone. Singling out the neck pickup with the tone wide open creates a really cool vintage thump/round tone. I liked the sound of EB Cobalt Flats but i got some weird tarnish on them so i replaced them with the Chromes. They were a little brighter and more modern sounding than the Chromes.
I love Ernie Ball Cobalt flats for their combination of flatwound thump, and roundwound like sustain.
But, in my opinion, they're light on the thump.
So, when I put a set of flats on my Jazz, I tried Ernie Ball Group III flats.
Not as bright as the Cobalts, but a very nice vintage tone.
Nice thump.
Mike.
But, in my opinion, they're light on the thump.
So, when I put a set of flats on my Jazz, I tried Ernie Ball Group III flats.
Not as bright as the Cobalts, but a very nice vintage tone.
Nice thump.
Mike.
Two jazz basses, one with Fender 9050L flats and one with D'Addario nickel rounds
DR flats for me!
Classic 60s R&B tone, but with a little more snap than the stereotypical Motown P-Bass sound. Think Jerry Jemmott, John Paul Jones.
Classic 60s R&B tone, but with a little more snap than the stereotypical Motown P-Bass sound. Think Jerry Jemmott, John Paul Jones.
GHS Pressurewounds... I like them enough on that particular bass that I don't see them ever coming off. Something about a Jazz with those strings does it for me. I don't use them on any of my other basses.
After trying several string sets from various manufacturers, I’ve discovered DR hi beams bring out the best tone on my Warmoth Jazz Bass.
Be advised, I use the term “best” subjectively.
Each instrument is different regardless if they’re built to the same specs.
You may have to try different string sets until you find the set you enjoy.
Be advised, I use the term “best” subjectively.
Each instrument is different regardless if they’re built to the same specs.
You may have to try different string sets until you find the set you enjoy.
strings... specifically for a jazz bass?
i'd with..idk..rounds...or flats?
basically any brand you've heard of would be fine. i personally have been recently enjoying DR. d'addario, ernie ball, all good choices.
i'd with..idk..rounds...or flats?
basically any brand you've heard of would be fine. i personally have been recently enjoying DR. d'addario, ernie ball, all good choices.
I've been wanting to try these on my main BG (Fender Highway 1 P) but I'm pretty content with my La Bella's. I might still give them a try at some point.
GHS Boomers for me, and I change them after about 1000 hours of playing.
I use GHS boomers on the A and E strings and Brite Flats on the G and D. This may seem odd but I have had recording engineers tell me they don't need to use compression on my signal. I have found that the Brite flats on the G and D cut through heavy guitar groups much better than roundwounds
For really brilliant, SUPER LONG LASTING round wounds, I can’t recommend Elixir strings enough. At first I didn’t buy into the hype but then I tried a set and now it’s all I use on all my basses. The protective coating on the strings doesn’t dampen the natural brightness and they stay bright and punchy for a really, REALLY long time. Great strings for a J bass
My brother!
in this case, believe the hype!
I tried them out years ago, and while what you say was pretty true, I hated the way they shed Teflon
I really like GHS Boomers on a Jazz Bass. To my ears, a Jazz Bass can sound mid-scooped, and at times too thin and bright, for my personal tastes. IMO Boomers have punchy midrange, and they sound fatter and warmer than other nickel plated rounds that I’ve tried.
And FWIW, I prefer Boomers on my Spector, my Mike Lull M5V, and my Alembic for the same reason.
And FWIW, I prefer Boomers on my Spector, my Mike Lull M5V, and my Alembic for the same reason.
