Question For Bass Players With Many Basses

[Dominic D]

I don't have a family picture yet, but here's my collection:

- Gibson EB 5 String with Cobalt flats (Plan to change to La Bella flats)
- Frankenstein Explorer 5-string with DR Coated rounds (Plan to change back to Elixirs)
- Hofner Verythin with La Bella flats
- Danelectro Longhorn with Ernie Ball rounds
- Danelectro Shorthorn with La Bella flats
- Ibanez fretless acoustic bass with La Bell flats

I try to keep a variety where possible. When I have two similar basses, I like to have rounds on one and flats on the other. As far as string preferences, I definitely prefer La Bellas for flats. For rounds, I'm not very picky. I tend towards coated rounds for longevity, but I do like the sound of worn rounds on my Danelectro.

 

[TheReceder]

I have some duplicates... mainly peavey foundations... I think I'm at about 6 of them today. I bought them when they were going for $100 to $200 because I just thought they were worth so much more. Most of them have the same or similar strings, some are set up to tune down a 1/2 step, there's a fretless in the herd. Sadly.. I started buying them to bother people that were slightly snobbish... eventually I bought them because I loved the way they played. Would still like to get one in a salmon color.

I've got basses that cost 10 times as much, but have no problem showing up to a gig with a ratted out foundation.

 

[Holdsg]

Mostly play flats. And so most of my basses have flats on them, and the predominant kind is Labella Low Tension Flats (AKA Tis for half the price). But I do experiement and rotate among various flats (and sometimes rounds) on certain bases. For example, I have tape wounds on one of my basses (my fretless P-bass).

 

[OregonJim]

I only have 4 basses, which is the most I've ever owned in my life. For the first 30 years or so, I only owned one at a time. That said, my strings last for years, so I don't even think about the price. When I was gigging regularly, I would boil my strings once or twice a year just to get the gunk out of them. They were like new afterwards. I always went with roundwounds, because you can get close to the tone of flatwounds with EQ - best of both worlds - but the reverse is not true. Nowadays, though, I like to have flats on at least one bass, and rounds on another. Never felt the need to play around with half-rounds or tapewounds...

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I use various brands, styles, and gauges on different instruments.

Those with flats, rounds seeking a deader tone, or specialty basses go a long time between changes. My main two use fresh rounds of the same brand. It's not as bad to keep up with as it's made out to be my many.

I don't understand the "strings are now harder to find" comment from the original post. I have no problems finding any string, in any gauge, that I want. Does your internet access only bring you to TalkBass? I buy most of my strings locally, some may need to be ordered, but almost anything is less than three days away online.

 

[Nuage420]

View attachment 4258610 I’ve seen many family photos here on TB which has raised string management questions.
I believe I saw one family of all blue Jazz basses, @TBird1958 has multiple Birds.
Some families are diverse like mine which includes SS, MS, and LS.

I don’t have any duplicate model basses in my collection,
nor have I used the same brand/model strings on more than one.
There’s no philosophy behind this it’s just how it happened.

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

1-4 yes, yes, yes, cobalts flats and rounds. I chased tone through multiple brands and I always came back to the cobalts. The only other string I consistently like the sound of is the DR black Beauties, they're not as zingy as the cobalts but sound great.

 

[Hounddog409]

View attachment 4258610 I’ve seen many family photos here on TB which has raised string management questions.
I believe I saw one family of all blue Jazz basses, @TBird1958 has multiple Birds.
Some families are diverse like mine which includes SS, MS, and LS.

I don’t have any duplicate model basses in my collection,
nor have I used the same brand/model strings on more than one.
There’s no philosophy behind this it’s just how it happened.

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

I use EB super slinky's on l my basses. I only change them like once a year at the most.

Not expensive at all.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

Now I know why basses hold their values.

For Sale - 2018 Fender Player Precision Bass MIM

 

[Manticore]

I currently own 16 basses. Two are ABGs with different string requirements, so they are treated a little differently. I keep two of the remaining 14 electric basses gig ready at all times; those two basses get new strings monthly or so. (COVID-induced time off reduced the number of string changes last year.) The remaining basses will get new strings each time I play them, which is rarely. I have been using the same kind of strings on all of the basses for quite a few years now. My tech sets all the basses up the same way, so there are no worries about nut slots, etc. I buy strings online by the case to reduce the number of orders placed each year. I never let myself run out of strings, so there is never an emergency.

 

[Jefenator]

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. I try within reason to suit the brand / model to each bass.
2. Frequency of usage doesn't determine string choice for me.
3. Sometimes I like to experiment and try something new. But I also have my go-tos for when I want something familiar. (D'Addario XL for rounds, Labella DTF for high tension flats, Pyramid Gold for extra old-school, TI for lower tension.)
4. I enjoy and use both string types, with a slight bias towards flats. (I keep a couple of active basses with rounds for modern pop, then I let the flats take over the rest.)

 

[JimmyM]

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?

1. Mostly but not all.
2. I have two basses that have flats always, and two that I switch depending on my mood, though they've had flats for the last couple years.
3. Nah. Most are Fenders or FSO's with the same pickups and strings, but that's about as close as I get to sticking with one.
4. Both, depending on the project, and though my violin basses get flats all the time, sometimes I might swap out strings on the other two with flats.

 

[yogibarrister]

I love people who have the exact same addiction I do. It can be an expensive hobby, but it sure kicks ass.

 

[ejaggers]

...I don't understand the "strings are now harder to find" comment from the original post. I have no problems finding any string, in any gauge, that I want. Does your internet access only bring you to TalkBass? I buy most of my strings locally, some may need to be ordered, but almost anything is less than three days away online.

I personally talked to Curt 4/27/2021 of Curt Mangan Strings who did not have what I was looking for.

I got an email 4/26/2021 from Andy Pitcher of Stringjoy who also didn’t have what I needed.

Here’s a partial email from Guitar String Manufacturing <[email protected]> stating he couldn't help me:
Hi,
So sorry, but due to covid and being behind on orders...
Best, Greg

....As far as strings, basses or almost anything: there are slim pickins out there in the music store world.
Thanks for asking
Mike

I know what you mean about short scale strings being very unavailable on store shelves. My ETB92S Nylons for my EB-0, are ordered from GC online.

@Plain Old Barry,
Maybe there's a market for you, solving everybody elses problems, since you don't have any.
Think about it, you could get rich...057912

 

[OkayistBassist]

1) Precision - La Bella Flats

Jazz w/ Fralins - La Bella Gold Flats

Both Rics, Jazz Elite and USA Geddy Lee - Roto 66’s.

I do have an MG Bass Fretless on the way that will get either the standard La Bellas or the Golds. Depends on how it sounds when I receive it over the next week or two!

2) I play the first Jazz I mentioned fairly often. Twice live last weekend!

3) I plead the Fifth!

4) The ones I want to have flats have them. The other ones have rounds. I’m happy with how they all sound right now.

 

[wvbass]

I have many basses. Keeping up with strings is an issue. I handle it in a few ways.

1) I have 4 or 5 basses that wear flatwounds, and one with coated strings. These don't seem to need new strings often, if at all. My flatwound string of choice is LaBella Low Tension Flexible Flats.
2) My go-to string is Dunlop Superbrights, and they are relatively inexpensive. They also work for me on many basses.
3) For some of my basses, I don't like Superbrights. So, I experiment with strings, starting with the cheapest, until I find something I do like. For example, with my Thumbs, there is a set of D'Addario tapered steel strings that are reasonable priced and I like just fine.
4) For my Dingwalls (especially the long scale ones), I tell family members to buy me Dingwall strings when they ask me what I want for Christmas or my birthday.
5) I try to buy at least a couple sets of strings each month, whether I feel like I need them or not. I have three sets on the shelf right now, plus a set of upright strings.
6) I store most of my basses in cases and gig bags and try to pay attention to humidity. This seems to help strings wear out due to use rather than due to climate.
7) I just live with always needing strings. Sometimes my "gig bass" choice is dependent on which bass has "good" strings right now.

For what it is worth, when I say many basses, I mean it. I'm somewhere between a player and a collector. Here's my current list:

• Carvin SB5000
• Carvin LB75
• Dean Rhapsody 8
• Dean Pace
• Dearmond Pilot Plus V
• Dearmond Pilot Pro
• Dingwall ABI 5 string
• Dingwall D-Roc Standard
• Dingwall Super P
• Englehardt EM1
• Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV
• Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV
• '03 Fender Highway One P Bass
• '89 Kubicki Ex-Factor
• '75 Tele bass
• '74 P-bass
• ‘70 P-bass
• ‘68 Coronado II
• '98 Am. Std. Jazz
• '04 Am. Std. Jazz
• '97 Am. Std. Jazz V
• ‘96 Am. Std. Precision
• Fender Jaguar Deluxe
• Fender Nate Mendel Precision
• Fender '51 Reissue Precision
• Fender Precision Bass Special (Cowpoke)
• Fender Precision Bass Lyte
• Fender Classic Aerodyne Precision Bass Special
• Fender acoustic bass of some sort
• G&L Tribute L-2000
• G&L Tribute L-2500
• G&L CLF L-1000
• G&L CLF L-2500
• G&L ASAT
• Gibson NR Thunderbird
• Gretsch G5123B
• Gretsch Electromatic 2202
• '76 Guild M-85II
• Hofner Icon
• 98 Lakland 4-94 Classic
• Lakland Skyline 44-60
• '03 Musicman Stingray5
• MusicYo Tobias 5
• Peavey Sarzo
• Peavey T-40
• Peavey Dyna Unity
• 1984 Peavey Foundation
• 1986 Peavey Foundation
• Peavey Grind 5
• Peavey Cirrus BXP
• Robin Freedom II
• '19 Sadowsky Verdine White
• Spector Legend 6
• Spector Legend Custom 4
• Spector NS4CRFM
• Sterling SUB Ray5
• '17 Warwick Thumb BO 5

 

[ModuMan]

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?

1. I do use Dunlop Super Brights on a bunch of them. Not too expensive and pretty darn good, I think

2. Hm, hadn't thought of it like that. I do have flats on a couple of them but "P-bass with flats" is kind of a requirement for me anyway

3. Yeah, the Dunlops I mentioned but there are a few others I like going back to like DR. I'm almost afraid to put on a set of TI's, I might like them too much.

4. Entirely depends on the bass! I have in fact used both on one bass!

One other thing I'd like to say about maintaining a large collection (see my list if you like) is that it is exhausting. I try to only have a handful in heavy rotation at one time. But then I'll miss one and bring it out.

 

[JW56789]

I think the most I ever had under the roof at one time were five solid body five strings (all three versions of the BB5000, an Alembic Elan Five and Spoiler Five) and they all wore Boomers: I prefer keeping the same feel and fine tuning any tone issues / differences from the strings at the amp, though there wasn't any big jump from one to another.

 

[2F/2F]

@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

Go with Elixers, then.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have a very simple strategy: get bass (no duplicates), install Labella Deep Talkin' Flats.

That solves the string problem for up to 50 years. My oldest flat string are 49 years old.

 

[svlilioukalani]

I got 40 basses. Only 2 are duplicate basses. They are my main gigging bass I use; a Musicman Sterling. Most have DR strings. I few have flats or various forms of them. Most basses don't get much use these days so the strings on those basses last a long time.