Question For Bass Players With Many Basses

[Clank Plank]

1. Not always. Strings that sound awesome on my Harley Benton sound a little muddy on my PB. I generally prefer nicklel flats, but will experiment if they don't suit a particular bass.

2. Nope. Flats on all my basses, regardless of use.

3. No. I'm aiming for one example of each of the main bass types, though I doubt Ill ever manage it.

4. I just prefer flats. Its a taste thing as much as anyrhing else

 

[pedroims]

I have five basses: Stingray, Yamaha BBP35, Fender Jazz, Lakland 5502 and Ibanez EHB1505. I like all of them, strings Dunlop super bright for all, all different colors. All in rotation depending on how they match the clothes I am wearing.

 

[el murdoque]

1. Do you use the same brand/model strings on multiple basses?
2. Do you think it best to put flats on basses you only play every now and then?
3. Do you find a brand/model that you like and stick with them for years?
4. And of course, the controversial question, do you prefer flats, rounds or both depending on the bass?

1. I've done that for a while. Elixir rounds that I played for ages until they dulled down. An Elixir string is hard to dull down, but you get the 'round wound on it's last legs' sound for an extended period as well before they die.
2. I don't really care. Since I don't like the zing of a freshly installed pair of rounds, I can have a bass sitting in a case for a year, pull it out and it's still good to my ears.
3. See answer one. I did that, moved on.
4. I prefer flats, but will play rounds if the sound is asked for.

 

[ejaggers]

@Killing Floor,
I think I need to retry my TI flats, since they are such a TB favorite.
I put them on my Coronado II years ago and couldn't wait to get them off,
but that may have been the wrong bass to evaluate them.

It's short scale but takes LS strings, and they were way to floppy on that bass.
They've been sitting in my parts trunk gathering dust ever since.

@Ric5,
I have D'addario Chromes on my P but haven't tried the EXL-220-5.

@2F/2F,
Low tension is what drove me away from TI's, so the Fender black nylons might not be a good match.

057912

 

[JRA]

I have basses that I haven’t played in years

i don't have that issue. and for the days/weeks (maybe a month sometimes) that i've not played an ax: the strings always sounded as i expected/remembered them. but if you're essentially 'storing a bass' by dint of not playing it, i don't think it matters what string type is on it.

 

[Jeff K]

Flats all the way for me. Even my basses are similar to each other. (I guess I just like what I like...)

2 Fender P's (GHS Precision Flats and Chromes)
1 G&L P - LB-100 (LaBella DTF's)
1 Fender P/J (LaBella DTF's)
2 Fender Jazzes (DR Legends and GHS Precision Flats)
1 Lakland Jazz with J-Sonics (GHS Precision Flats)
1 Guild Starfire II (D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds)

 

[80jazz]

View attachment 4258610

1. Do you use the same brand/model strings on multiple basses?
2. Do you think it best to put flats on basses you only play every now and then?
3. Do you find a brand/model that you like and stick with them for years?
4. And of course, the controversial question, do you prefer flats, rounds or both depending on the bass?

1. No, but this is probably due to preferring a light gauge that is hard to find in a production set and only so many companies offer singles (35-90, of which Rotosound makes a production set and I can get SIT singles. I tend to switch back and forth between these 2, but the Rotosound is used slightly more often).

2. For me, that would probably depend on the sound it makes with the flats on.
3. I was a DR guy, up until about 7 years ago when I tried lighter strings and discovered I much preferred them. If they made a single .055 in the Hi-Beams, Lo-Riders, and Nickel Lo-Riders I would probably never leave DR.
4. Rounds - although I have been giving a bit more thought to picking up a P to string with flats. Right now, I do not need one but if/when the need arises I will not hesitate and then begin my own flat quest (which should be fun, given the roundwound string gauge I like).

 

[Killing Floor]

There is no wrong answer for strings. There are way too many options so have some fun along the way.

 

[ELG60]

I have 18 basses (I think). Of the ones that I play regularly, there's a mix of flats and rounds. The flats will always be TI Jazz Flats with an occasional Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats instrument, and the rounds are generally TI's, whatever was on the bass when I bought it, or whatever strikes my interest when it's in need of new strings.

 

[TheKillersFan]

6 basses and I’m still in the process of defining my string situation. Generally I’ve found that I only like GHS boomers or or Ernie Ball super slinkies (45-100s for both brands), so it’s just a matter of deciding which strings work best for which bass.

eventually I’m going to make use of flats for one jazz bass.

 

[cornfarmer]

I have 9 electrics, 1 acoustic (3 of which are SS), and have stopped experimenting at this point....I figured out what gauges are currently working for me, so I buy bulk steels from JustStrings.com (each gauge sold in packs of 6) and it's cheaper for me than buying 6 sets of brand X. They seem fine to me. I'm getting cheap as I age.

 

[ejaggers]

1. No, but this is probably due to preferring a light gauge that is hard to find in a production set and only so many companies offer singles (35-90, of which Rotosound makes a production set and I can get SIT singles. I tend to switch back and forth between these 2, but the Rotosound is used slightly more often).

2. For me, that would probably depend on the sound it makes with the flats on.
3. I was a DR guy, up until about 7 years ago when I tried lighter strings and discovered I much preferred them. If they made a single .055 in the Hi-Beams, Lo-Riders, and Nickel Lo-Riders I would probably never leave DR.
4. Rounds - although I have been giving a bit more thought to picking up a P to string with flats. Right now, I do not need one but if/when the need arises I will not hesitate and then begin my own flat quest (which should be fun, given the roundwound string gauge I like).

The one thing I don't have is light guage strings.
- Can you elaberate on why you like them?
- Are they low tension?
- Can you use them with low action?
- Can you use them on SS?
I have 5 short scales which gets most of my playtime.
057912

I have 9 electrics, 1 acoustic (3 of which are SS), and have stopped experimenting at this point....I figured out what gauges are currently working for me, so I buy bulk steels from JustStrings.com (each gauge sold in packs of 6) and it's cheaper for me than buying 6 sets of brand X. They seem fine to me. I'm getting cheap as I age.

Cheap is contagious.
Since I’m retired, I’m right there with you.

 

[80jazz]

The one thing I don't have is light guage strings.
- Can you elaberate on why you like them?
- Are they low tension?
- Can you use them with low action?
- Can you use them oln SS?
I have 5 short scales which gets most of my playtime.
057912



Cheap is contagious.

Since I’m retired, I’m right there with you.

Yes to all of your questions.

 

[MNAirHead]

View attachment 4258610

Strings are expensive and also harder to find now days,
So my questions are:

1. Do you use the same brand/model strings on multiple basses?
2. Do you think it best to put flats on basses you only play every now and then?
3. Do you find a brand/model that you like and stick with them for years?
4. And of course, the controversial question, do you prefer flats, rounds or both depending on the bass?

057912

1. 1. Do you use the same brand/model strings on multiple basses?
      No... type stainless contact cores OR nickel flats
      
      
   2. Do you think it best to put flats on basses you only play every now and then?
      Yes, My 6 string guitars are strung with flats - runs great
      
      
   3. Do you find a brand/model that you like and stick with them for years?
      Depends on the bass.. bridges matter
      
      
   4. And of course, the controversial question, do you prefer flats, rounds or both depending on the bass?
      Depends on the bass -- length, use, scale, sound, gig type etc
      
      
      

 

[msb]

I have just over twenty basses , most have flats . On long scale basses I love TI flats , but prefer stiffer Labellas on short scales . Some basses work better with 9050’s . I have DR Black Beauties on my Unicorn , fresh EB rounds on my Stingray , factory founds on my Dano Longhorn ( dead as can be but they thump !) , factory rounds on my DC Les Paul DC Jr . Spiros on my upright , a Thunderguts on my Ashbory and uke .

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Dunlop flats on my P basses and Acinonyx short scale. Dulop nickel rounds on my Modulus active bass.

Tried others, but these just work for me.

 

[Sid Fang]

1) Yes, though not the same on all.

2) No. Flats should go on basses where flats are appropriate for the player and music.

3) Yes, though I try new things from time to time. Used to be a Rotosound loyalist for rounds but now use d’Addarios and DRs. And Status Graphite double-ball for my 3 headless basses.

4) I prefer rounds on bass guitars, but I’ve got pressurewounds on my fretless and of course “flats” on my EUB.

 

[waynobass]

I used to think I needed flats on at least one bass for variety, but I just don't like the feel of them. I like a little roughness under my fingers. DR Sunbeams rule!

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Mine are a mixture... TI jazz flats on the Maruszczyk and Dean, La Bella low tension flats on the Wal and Lightwave, Fender tapewounds on the Fender, TI acousticores on the Takamine and the Turner, D'Addario rounds on the Warwick, and Elixirs on the Ibanez fretted 5 that isn't in the picture. I'm thinking of putting Elixirs on the Lightwave.

 

[Danny O Danny]

I (only) own 6 basses currently. I try to figure out which strings (and gauge) best suits each bass. So I have two basses with GHS Pressurewounds, two with flatwounds (D'Addario), one with stainless steel roundwounds, and one with La Bella tapewounds.