I really want to try the standard PW .096 set after trying these Bronze PW -> I think I'd like the tension better that the .102 set I had.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I spent the month of January with my Yamaha with L7200. Then spent a few weeks in Feb with my Jazz with M7200 in DGCF.
I've been back on my P with ML7200 for the last week, and the funny thing is all of a sudden they feel stiffer than I've known them to be.
I think this is what's commonly known as "bass string theory of relativity".
EDIT: PW Bronze = 149.3 lbs., PW L7200 = 147.2 lbs.
Two observations, one minor, one major:
1) minor - G-string tension. Hmmm. Wondering why the G string core isn't a thou or two larger so the tension is truly more like the BPN's; and
2) major - Many ABG manufacturers offer 32 inch scale basses instead of or in addition to 34 inch scale basses. These new PWBr strings need to be offered in a mid scale length for all of these manufacturers, including Ibanez, Washburn, and others.
1) minor - G-string tension. Hmmm. Wondering why the G string core isn't a thou or two larger so the tension is truly more like the BPN's; and
2) major - Many ABG manufacturers offer 32 inch scale basses instead of or in addition to 34 inch scale basses. These new PWBr strings need to be offered in a mid scale length for all of these manufacturers, including Ibanez, Washburn, and others.
Just put on the bronze pressurewound. First impression is nice. Very little squeaky noises even though they're fresh and really rich sounding, big acoustic Thunderchief tone. Much louder than the LaBella tapes that were on before (duh).
Wonder if any one had tried La Bella Copper White Nylon (which IIRC inside is either phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze roundwound) then compared it with this pressurewound bronze or any other acoustic bass (phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze) strings w/o nylon wrapping, on an acoustic bass w/o amplification, would the copper white nylon, volume wise, still sound as loud, or at least still louder than any other non-phosphor based strings...
Gold White Nylons are the ones whose outer (under nylon) wrap is made of Golden Alloy (80/20 bronze). Copper Whites have, well, copper.
I have no experience with either La Bella White Nylon Tapes nor GHS Pressurewound Bronze strings, but years ago I had the same question regarding whether the White Nylon tapewounds might be the best compromise of acoustic volume and durability/lack of string noise. This is some feedback from one (currently inactive) TB member:
[Emphasis mine.]
Not encouraging. If I didn't kill exposed bronze quickly, I would consider GHS bronze PWs. For the moment, if I develop a need for maximum volume for my ABG (enough to make me replace my Savarez nylon core, which aren't quiet per se but definitely less loud than bronzes) Elixir coated acoustic are still first in my to-try list.
Thanks for posting those quotes.
In regards to Elixir's, I've used their 80/20 Bronze acoustic bass strings prior using the current PW Bronze on my Ibanez EWB205WNE ABG. These for sure possessed the loud volume characteristics of acoustic bronze strings and could tame down the finger squeak noise due to the Nanoweb coating. They were sure good acoustic strings, but I took them off eventually after about 2½ years of usage because the coating had flaked. I was actually a little bit disappointed the Nanoweb coating on the acoustic bass strings didn't last as long as the Nanoweb coating on the electric bass strings.
Now the ABG has been carrying PW Bronze for a year and they are still looking good.
- Sep 9, 2007
- 5,309
- 4,977
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
Making a G string with 2 covers is incredibly tricky. Beefing up the core might be good on paper, but definitely wouldn't work in this scenario. Besides, I liked where the string felt and sounded compared to the others, so decided to leave it there for the time being.
While the NEW offerings of ABG have been 32" scale, the large majority of the ones out there are still 34". Offering them in the latter length FIRST was a better way to go, to see how they'd be received. The former is in the works, as I have a 32" scale Ibanez in the office.
It's night and day. Most of the people that use tapes or flats on an ABG usually aren't going for a forward, brighter tone. So, the Pressurewound Bronze are going to be quite different. They've got that "stereotypical" bronze tone and sheen, with a roundwound attack and sustain. The benefit is that you don't have the overly annoying string noise with them, as compared to other ABG strings.
I'm giving my set of the Bronze PW another spin on one of my P Basses. I really like how these strings mellow as they age; I'll admit they were JUST a touch bright for my taste when new on my ash bodied P... but nothing the tone knob couldn't fix. As they've mellowed I like the tone knob full-up just fine.
The smooth wrap feel, tension and suppleness are really working for me. They are a lower output string, comparable in volume to the various pure nickel rounds I've been sampling lately (even a bit quieter) but I love the nuance that's available - and dialing in pickup height makes a BIG difference with these. You can really tailor the fundamental vs. harmonic content balance across a wide "sweet spot" in pickup height.
The smooth wrap feel, tension and suppleness are really working for me. They are a lower output string, comparable in volume to the various pure nickel rounds I've been sampling lately (even a bit quieter) but I love the nuance that's available - and dialing in pickup height makes a BIG difference with these. You can really tailor the fundamental vs. harmonic content balance across a wide "sweet spot" in pickup height.
Last edited:
I put a bronze PW set on my ABG and really tried to like them, but they had all the same problems that the regular bronze strings had. Too noisy and zingy for the piezo. They were perhaps a tad smoother to the fingers, that was all. So I bought a set of tapewounds and put on my ABG while the bronze PW's were packed away. Until today.
I was messing with my Maruszczyk 32" Frog 4 with TI jazz rounds on it and was not all that pleased. Mostly because the light gauge strings (0.43 - 0.89) are way too light and floppy for my "32. And they just did not sound right. Then I remembered that I had the bronze PW's and put them on. BOOM! Perfect match for my 32" with precision/humbucker Delano pickups! Perfect tension, smooth to the fingers with zero finger noise. Almost like roundwounds, only better, as you get that bronze sound on top with clarity and warmth.
I have been struggeling to find the right strings for my 32" but now I finally found the perfect match. Not sure if I will put the bronze PW's on any of my other basses, but for the 32" with "modern" sounding pickups (Delano
PC 4 HE/M2 and MC 4 HE/M2) they were perfect!
I was messing with my Maruszczyk 32" Frog 4 with TI jazz rounds on it and was not all that pleased. Mostly because the light gauge strings (0.43 - 0.89) are way too light and floppy for my "32. And they just did not sound right. Then I remembered that I had the bronze PW's and put them on. BOOM! Perfect match for my 32" with precision/humbucker Delano pickups! Perfect tension, smooth to the fingers with zero finger noise. Almost like roundwounds, only better, as you get that bronze sound on top with clarity and warmth.
I have been struggeling to find the right strings for my 32" but now I finally found the perfect match. Not sure if I will put the bronze PW's on any of my other basses, but for the 32" with "modern" sounding pickups (Delano
PC 4 HE/M2 and MC 4 HE/M2) they were perfect!
Last edited:
@Jon Moody - Hey Jon, I'm reviving the thread to ask about the possibility of medium scale PWB sets. I have several Ibanez Artcores and an AEB that I would definitely like to try them on. Is GHS any closer to offering the medium scale sets here in 2023? I didn't see them on the company site just now.
Last edited:
I have several Artcores too. Hmmm, interesting thought.
@Peltor - How did the post wrapping go with the long scale PWBs on your 32" scale bass?
Hopefully, GHS will eventually make a medium scale PWB set, but if not, it'd be good if a long scale set would wrap okay.
In addition to possibly using PWBs on my Artcores, I'm also looking into the Nordstrand CatPups pickups, which should fit.
That bass has a string lock system, but that should really be no problem regardless of that. Unless the tuning posts are really small, then maybe there might be an issue if you plan to take them off again and put them on another bass.
