Mixing different string brands on the same bass

[Glazenn]

Has anybody tried mixing strings from different brands on the same bass ?
Starting with a set of La Bella LTFs on my Sire Marcus Miller P5, I have found that the D and G strings lack low end presence, with very pronounced highs, compared to the B-E-A strings, I have now switched to GHS Precision Flats for D and G, that I think is a noticeable improvement. Planning to also test Chromes D and G soon.
I have a Delano PC5 HE/M2-AS pickup recently installed, which is an significant upgrade over the Sire Revolution P pickup (note it's ceramic vs. AlNiCo), and I use a Hartke 15" half-stack or a Mark Bass Mini CMD 121P.

 

[michael_t]

Has anybody tried mixing strings from different brands on the same bass ?

I've been mix-and-matching the low B on my two 5-string Yamahas with good success.

One is currently wearing Rotosound Ultramag 40-100 with the GHS Progressive 130B (exposed core). And the other will soon wear DR Nickel Lo-Riders 40-100 and SIT Power Wound Nickel 125B (exposed core).

By the way, I've asked the moderator to move this to "Strings" for you.

 

[Geri O]

There’s nothing nowhere that sez you can’t mix brands of strings on the same bass. For whatever reason.

I’ve not found the need to do so, but I cannot imagine a situation where you shouldn’t, within reason, of course.

 

[Yahboy]

I been mix ADG GHS flat with EB Cobalt flat 100E , well string to string tonal balance. But Cobalt flat are not polished smooth as GHS flat.

 

[Diplock]

A lot of double bass players use mixed sets. With the will experiment there's no reason it won't work just as well on solid body electric basses.

 

[walking_line]

Yeah, I do it on my double basses 100% of the time these days. Never done it on my electrics though.

 

[Nashrakh]

I've done it on one of my six strings to balance out the often notorious differences in string to string volume.

My favorite set was EADG DR Sunbeams, with a Thomastik Infeld flat (!) high C, and a D'addario tapered core nickel B string.

Go for it, your wallet may hate you, but it's definitely something worth trying out!

 

[JRA]

i haven't mixed different string brands on purpose, but i wouldn't hesitate to do it if i thought i could solve a problem (or 'liberate' my playing).

but i'm playing 4-string instruments and i'm guessing that 5 and 6-string axes might benefit the most from "mixing" trials.

 

[Honkey tonk]

One bass I have has flats on the top two strings and rounds on the bottom 2.
that bass also has drum triggers that are hooked under two finger ramps that under each set of top / bottom strings,
so stringx over the kick are flats and strings over the snare triggers are rounds .
To be fair when it all gets cranking you are hard pressed to really hear a difference between flats and rounds
if anything it was done in hopes of creating a mental stereo Grove between the two sets of strings and triggers.

 

[40Hz]

It’s done routinely in the orchestral string instrument and classical guitar world. I never felt the need to mix individual strings on a bass guitar however. To me it makes more sense with acoustic instruments. But on a solid-body bass? Not a thing for me. The most I’ve ever done is specified my own string gauges. But if mixing different strings works for you - go for it.

FWIW I’ve got a musician friend who swears by a flatwound E and rounds for the other three strings. He’s an excellent bass player and gets a really good sound out of that arrangement.

 

[bikemusic]

I'm mixing Chromes and LaBella DTF's for a different reason. I had a dead sounding LaBella E on a 4-string so I replaced it (when it broke) with a Chrome E. The first month was clanging agony but once it mellowed out, it's still got the little bit of growl and definition I was missing with the Labella.

 

[micguy]

One of my basses wears Boomers for the top 4, and a GHS Bassics 130 for the low B - that string matches the set sonically better than the Boomer 130. It does lack the silk, so style wise it could be improved, but to me sonics trump fashion.

 

[salmon256]

Yes, not the most insane switch but I had a chrome for my D and G and fender flats for my E, and A. It sounded different my fender flats were breaking in still and I originally bought another fender for a replacement on my jazz so I just for used to the two extras on the chromes one. I can hear the difference, if the tension is fine and matches somewhat you are good in my book. Fender won't come after you don't worry... at least they haven't yet for me , have fun!

 

[antfarm]

If I recall it correctly, John Paul Jones’ Jazz Bass has different colored silk string ends on the headstock in this Video:

 

[Diplock]

If I recall it correctly, John Paul Jones’ Jazz Bass has different colored silk string ends on the headstock in this Video:

Could well be a different kind of E string. Could also be a different run of the same kind of string especially if they're old flats that have been around for decades like Pyramids.

 

[HowieD72]

I just snapped one of my EB Cobalt flats - D string. So instead of using the "D" from a new set, I decided to use one I had spare from another bass. So, my odd one is a DR Legend "D". Sounds pretty good to me, so I'll keep it as is. And... the gold and purple silk string ends look kinda funky together!