Recommendations for diversity?

[SharpCat]

OK, so first, I love flats, but don't want ALL flats.

I've got 4 basses to shoe...
- Fender active PJ with Aguilar 4PJ-HC pickups, currently have DR neons on it, don't like them much. (Don't like the coating, the tone is just ok, IMHO)
- Yamaha BB234 PJ with passive Dimarzio Sixties PJ, currently 9050MLs, happy with them.
- Yamaha TRBX504 with OEM active humbuckers, DR Pure Blues, happy with those too.
- On the way, Fender player jazz bass.

So clearly nobody knows what I'll like, but got suggestions for what to put where? Probably want to keep the TRBX in rounds.

Strings I like (so far):
- DR Pure Blues
- GHS Pressurewounds 44-106
- Fender 9050ML
- D'Addario tapewounds 45-105
- Roto Ultramags
- DR Nickel LoRiders
- Roto Nickel 66
- Fender 7250s are OK

Did not like feel of:
- Roto 66 SS (Rough!)
- D'Addario half rounds

So if you wanted to get a good diversity of tone, what would you put where? No need to be too serious about it, but any suggestions that sound good I'll attempt to give a try.

 

[MrAB4003]

I recommend Roto 55s if you want versatility and diversity in your tone. They're smoother to the touch than the nickel Roto 66s and they sound even better IMO. I used to play Roto 66s (both nickel and SS versions) and I switched to the 55s after the nickel 66s made my fingers bleed while practicing one night.

 

[Bread Knife]

I love flats, but I have DR Hi Beams on my jazz bass at the moment and I’ve been enjoying them quite a bit. They’re fairly flexible with the round core and while they’re bright, I don’t find them to be abrasively so. Worth a shot in the interest of diversity.

 

[BGroovy]

Try some SIT strings. I’ve been a recent convert. Powerwound nickels

love them on my jazz so maybe try them there

 

[Nashrakh]

I love flats, but I have DR Hi Beams on my jazz bass at the moment and I’ve been enjoying them quite a bit. They’re fairly flexible with the round core and while they’re bright, I don’t find them to be abrasively so. Worth a shot in the interest of diversity.

Same here. For SS strings, they are SMOOTH. If you want a nickel contender that is (obviously) darker in tone, go with DR Sunbeams, which are my favorite nickel rounds when it comes to versatility.

(Right now, the only rounds on any of my basses are Dogal Hellborgs, but those may be much too exotic for the OP)

 

[SharpCat]

I recommend Roto 55s if you want versatility and diversity in your tone. They're smoother to the touch than the nickel Roto 66s and they sound even better IMO. I used to play Roto 66s (both nickel and SS versions) and I switched to the 55s after the nickel 66s made my fingers bleed while practicing one night.

Thanks, 55s were on my list to try since I like the GHS pressurewounds. Have you got a particular bass config you'd put them on?

 

[MrAB4003]

Thanks, 55s were on my list to try since I like the GHS pressurewounds. Have you got a particular bass config you'd put them on?

No problem OP! I currently have the 55s on my Ric 4003 in D Standard (DGCF). I used to have them on my other 4003 in E Standard, but there was too much tension for me. I have the 45-105 gauge on my D Standard bass and La Bella White tapes on my other 4003. They do have 40-100 gauge if you like lighter strings.

Looking back at your list again, you might want to try the White La Bella tapes as an alternative. They're the smoothest strings I've ever played but they sound like nickel rounds. Fantastic choice if you like less tension for your bass and less stress on your fingertips. I recommend the 50-105 light gauge so you don't have to file your bass' nut.

https://www.amazon.com/Rotosound-RS55LD-Pressure-Guitar-Strings/dp/B0002GNYZU

https://www.amazon.com/Bella-750T-White-Tapewound-Strings/dp/B00H2MABQ2

 

[Yahboy]

My personal favor bass string for Jazz bass are EB Cobalt 2814.

If i decide put a set of roundwound on jazz bass again, it will be :

DR Sunbeam/ Dunlop SBN - if i want sweet warmth tone along with comfort playing feel.
DR Lo rider SS - if i want clear piano like tone.
Daddario NYXL - if i want more crispy top without EXL 170 metallic voice.
Fender 9050L - if EB no longer make Cobalt flat.

 

[el murdoque]

Things I'd consider:
Chromes for a brighter flatwound tone
TIs for a singing midrange and that weird but good feeling of playing well boiled spaghetti
LaBella Deep Talkin Flats for that low down thump (and for the super smooth feel).

 

[Lammchop93]

Dr hi beam. If you like the pure blues, you’ll probably like the hi beams. They feel smooth for stainless steel, and are slightly brighter than the pure blues. They sound really good on modern-voiced instrument IMO

 

[Wesley R]

Play tapes and be happy.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

For a nice treat that is different from flats, I would suggest LaBella Black tapewounds.

 

[Stewie]

I don't really care about diversity, I just like thump. GHS Precision Flats 45-105. They sound marvelous on fretless Js, Ps, and Ts

 

[Wesley R]

For a nice treat that is different from flats, I would suggest LaBella Black tapewounds.

You are wise beyond you years.

LaBella's were my tape of choice from 1968 or so, until around 1978, when my addiction turned to GHS Pro Formula tapes, after I had adjusted to this radical thinking, they were discontinued.

 

[Rib 13]

Soooooo...Im going to say new or new-ish rounds. For me, they have historically been more felexible: You have articulate modern piano tone when needed but you can change hand position and tone settings to take the edge/zing off for more classic tone....but it doesnt go the other way: you cant add zing or brightness to strings and string types that dont have it from the get-go. $.02

 

[lunarpollen]

one of the varieties of LaBella white nylon tapewounds might be worth trying out... not sure what the differences are between them (every description I've read from people seems to suggest different things) but in general they are all a lot brighter than flats but feel as smooth as flats.

 

[trothwell]

I have Rotosound 77 flatwounds on my Fender Jazz Bass right now. I think these actually sound quite good there. I have traditionally favored Rotosound 66 (steel), GHS Progressives (currently discontinued), GHS Super Steels, and, more recently, Rotosound Ultramag.

 

[bass12]

Maybe a lighter set of some strings you like? I prefer the Pure Blues, for example, in 40-120 over 45-125.

 

[Killing Floor]

So clearly nobody knows what I'll like, but

I know you will like TI Jazz Rounds. And also bibimbap tacos.

 

[Fynn]

Dean Markley steels. I love them. Been using them for years now. Tried a bunch, but always come back to them.