Most versatile strings?

[CM63]

I am playing both Church music, and heavy rock/funk.
With only the one bass -Fender Jazz, Is there a string that does it all?

 

[Deaky]

Fender 9050cl

 

[mmbongo]

I am playing both Church music, and heavy rock/funk.
With only the one bass -Fender Jazz, Is there a string that does it all?

GHS Pressurewounds.

 

[cnltb]

I am playing both Church music, and heavy rock/funk.
With only the one bass -Fender Jazz, Is there a string that does it all?

I think any roundwound string at all will do it.
Depending on the player other types might do it too.

 

[iplay5strings]

I would say that string gauge is the main factor here. You need to find the string size that gives you the bottom(warmth)/attack ratio that you're looking for. Bigger/heavier strings=darker sound, smaller/lighter strings=brighter sound.

 

[Duckwater]

^ Not true, the tension of the string(mostly affected by the gauge and core) determines the way it vibrates when you pluck it. A string with less tension will have a larger area of vibration and will produce more of the fundamental(lowest frequencies) of the pitch. Try tuning your A string down to an E and compare the tones.

To the OP, there is always a compromise. You can get flats that are brighter(Chromes, Fenders, TIs), rounds that are darker(Sunbeams, TIs, Labellas), or a pressure/compression wound that is somewhere in between but still completely different. Everyone wants a versatile string, but your decision will be made by your personal preferences.

 

[iplay5strings]

^ Not true, the tension of the string(mostly affected by the gauge and core) determines the way it vibrates when you pluck it. A string with less tension will have a larger area of vibration and will produce more of the fundamental(lowest frequencies) of the pitch. Try tuning your A string down to an E and compare the tones.

I was mainly referring to the initial attack of the string. A .040 string will have much more "bite" when fretted or popped then a .045 or .050 string tuned to the same pitch. That's what I mean when describing them as darker or brighter.

 

[billgwx]

The answer to that very question for me lately has been D'Addario Chromes...flats that sound great on my Fender Jazz, have a lot of both brightness and thump, and have an even better sound once some of the initial zing and midrange mellow out with time. Sometimes I'll put on GHS Boomers (rounds) for a change of pace.

 

[OzzyGreg]

.
+1 for D'Addario Chromes.

 

[bluesdogblues]

I was thought it was (then) my RotoSound Swing.
Before I turn to LaBella Flatwound.
But it's very subjective & personal, I think.

P.S.:
I use Fender Precision instead of Jazz BTW

 

[jasper383]

Rounds.

 

[dave64o]

Although I love Chromes (I use them on my P5 and also had them on every fretless I had before finally giving up on fretless), I'd suggest some kind of roundwound as well.

Chromes are pretty bright for a flat. However, since you a) have only one bass, b) want versatility, and c) your only bass is passive, I think a warm sounding round, especially a nickel wrapped, would be the best choice given your parameters. My rationale is that it would be easier to use your passive tone control to remove some of the brightness of rounds than it would be to add brightness to flats.

 

[rubbadubdub]

Moderately used rounds. New rounds are hopeless if you want a heavy dub tone with a predominant fundamental. Flats such as Fender 9050s and Chromes can get surprisingly aggressive and give a fat top end and decent slap sound. Other flats may be a little more specialised to be considered versatile.
Having said that I have recently discovered that a lot of the classic rock tones that I have been chasing for years were actually made with 'old school' flats and not rounds.
The simple answer is it depends on too many variables to be just a matter of strings.

 

[Dave W]

I think any roundwound string at all will do it.

+1

I'll add that I think the player is what is going to make anything versatile.

 

[hgiles]

D'Addario Nickel Round Wounds XL

 

[Root 5]

I think D'Addario Half Rounds are very versatile strings. You can cover any sonic terrain with them.

GHS Brite Flats are good, too. Although they are slightly brighter sounding than the D'Addarios.

 

[cnltb]

+1

I'll add that I think the player is what is going to make anything versatile.

Yup...+1

 

[TimB 619]

D'addario XL nickel roundwounds.

 

[gr8bassplayer]

I wouldn't trade my semi-flat wounds for any other string.