Jazz Bass Tone; Which strings to use?

[MordBass]

I dig the the pro steels and nyxls on my jazz but DR HiBeams just feel and sound perfect to me.

 

[Hounddog409]

I agree...What I do is try to select strings that balance out or off set the bass's natural sound. For a darker scooped Jazz, Dunlop Nickel Super Brights once broken in are fantastic and super growly. If you need more warmth or low/mids, I use GHS pressuewounds. Add Roundcore Boomer's an a nice middle ground and those are my 3 goto sets for Jazz Bass's.

I'm pretty happy with DR pure blues on mine. Very growly. But I do have SD quarter pound pickups installed as well.

 

[FirewalZ]

I'm pretty happy with DR pure blues on mine. Very growly. But I do have SD quarter pound pickups installed as well.

Yep, exactly what i do...I balance out an aggressive bass with mellower strings and a mellower bass with aggressive strings

 

[Altitude]

Consider GHS Pressurewounds.

I did a sound sample comparison a while ago on my Valenti Jazz bass between those and some Chromes. You can check it out here:

Valenti J5 Soundclips (Rounds v. Flats Content)

 

[SteveBassJr]

My personal favorite on my Jazz Ken Smith slick wounds. Love those strings!

 

[nilorius]

Any - anytime.

 

[arbiterusa]

rotosound or go home.

 

[Castlehill650]

I’ve tried D’Addario NYXLs on three different basses I own. And I came away very unimpressed.

I don’t care for NYXLs.

D’Addario nickles are just fine depending on the bass.

No he isn't. You're wrong.

Correction, he is right. Initially it was a binary choice A/B, but then things changed, so was looking for more input

 

[Castlehill650]

I did not see an option for neither. Why are you limiting yourself to those 2 only?

They were given to me out of the blue, however I found that I can return them!

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I like Sunbeams

 

[mrjim123]

OP, only YOU can decide which strings sound best on YOUR bass in YOUR band. It doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks. Try both sets, and pick one.

 

[The Nameless]

Strings can be huge to tone. You should try em all. New set of strings can often mean a whole new bass. Getting experience with different sets is crucial to finding your likes and dislikes.
Also, I rarely record with new sets. For me, and my style, diggin tones out of old strings just improves my recorded tone. I use D'addario ProSteels on my Jazz exclusively. I like the resistance, keeps me paying attention, and they go to "tape" better than any other string I've tried on this bass. And sound better the older they are.
Where I'm at, many gospel players are in debates over nickel strings. Two names that come up often are D'Addario NYXLs and LaBella RX nickels. I haven't tried em on my basses, but I've played both on others' basses, including many different Jazz basses. Both have good reputations, but longevity comes up. I use steel on my basses because they seem to age better. Not just last longer, but each string ages evenly. My experience with nickels has always been tough. Going on new, they are actually a bit brighter than steel. But they age quickly, with the E and A goin dead very fast. Low B just behind them. This is a problem for me that has occurred any time I use nickels. Any nickel string. Could be my style or body chemistry, but I use steel because of it. Guys here using nickels say same, but the tone an feel is different than steel, so they continue to use em and change strings often. The NYXLs seem to have cured this. Guys say they last longer and age more evenly than other nickel sets. I haven't tried em yet. But I will. Free strings? Put on a set. Record a track. Put on a second set. Record another track. You'll find what ya want. But don't be afraid to try em.

 

[logdrum]

I am not really picky on strings but the NYXL did not really impress me. Just regular D'Addario nickels seem to do the trick. String choices can go crazy and can be "religious" for some. Comparable in price, I suggest the Ernie Ball cobalts. But that is really not what the OP asked, so I voted plain XL

 

[sheltjo6]

XLs were my go to strings until I started trying other brands.

I’m sure either string set will sound fine.
But, it would be beneficial for you to try many different string brands and types (stainless steel, nickel plated steel, etc...) to determine which strings produce the tone you desire.

Personally, I use DR Hi Beams on one jazz bass and DR Sunbeams on another because each string set brings out the preferred tone I like out of each instrument.

I’ve tested several sets of strings, including XLs, before I came to this conclusion.

Have fun in the studio.

 

[Systolic]

If someone gave me a Jazz and told me to get growl I'd head straight for Rotos, Cobalts or Kalium.

 

[Pops OB]

Carrots.

 

[Skillet]

DR Sunbeams. They're nickel, but sound like stainless that is just broken in right, and they last.

 

[Border]

I have recently tried a set of GHS Balanced Nickels on my American Jazz 5 string. I am pleased with the tone and feel so far. Time will tell but you might try a set and see what you think.

 

[Davbassdude]

FWIW: I use Round Wound (Round Core) strings on my Jazz Bass. My older brother has been using black nylon strings on his Jazz Bass for the past 45 years. It's all a matter of preference. I actually LOVE the sound of the NPS strings on my Ric and although I haven't used them on the Jazz Bass, I think they would sound really good! In fact, when I get around to changing the strings on that bass (probably next year), I'll try them out.

 

[Ric5]

Hello Talk Bass, I have been playing bass for around 15 years and as much as I think I know about the subject, I honestly am lacking in knowledge of particular strings for certain tones, except for the the basics like roundwound vs flatwound.

Anyway I have an Ash wood Jazz bass which sounds beuatiful, and am going into a studio for some bass work in the coming days. I am playing for an indy/rock band and happened to have two sets of new strings pretty much put on my lap.

Mind that I play 5 string
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The first is a set of D’Addario NYXL 45-130 Long scale strings. They have a steel core with a nickel-plated steel wrap. They claim it sounds good for “all styles” among other statements like “it will cut through the mix” (I attribute that to the steel in the nickel plated wrap.)

The second is a set of D’Addario XL Nickel Wound strings (EXL170-5) 45-130. It seems to be more of a standard choice. And with the nickel wrap instead of steel, I feel it wont be too harsh in the highs. Although I really have no clue.

Im really just looking for the quintisential “jazz bass” tone with the growl we all know and love but without anything that may compromise the tone. I do need to cut through the mix, but this isnt a punk rock band where I really need to cut through heavy guitars. If I was playing a metal session then I believe I would have my answer but in this case I need help.

this would be my choice