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Shortscale strings with most bottom end

M

Marcus Duke

Oct 11, 2019
14
2
#1
Maybe "bottom end" is not the best descriptor, but I just purchased a used, shortscale Mustang PJ bass and it came with roundwounds, light scale I think. I like the sound of these strings in the mid to upper range, but not so much on the lower range (e.g., open strings to the 4th-5th fret). EQ helps, but I'm interested in what flats you'd recommend that would better accentuate lower frequencies in the low range (open to half-rounds as well).
At present, I tend to roll off all the treble on the bass and my Rumble amp and turn the amp's bass all the way up to get more bottom out of the lower notes (with limited satisfaction), but wonder if some different strings would be the better solution or at least improve the low frequencies in combination with the EQing.
 
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#3
Yes, I appreciate the perils of doing that, particularly regarding too much bottom muddying up a stage mix. I'll try what you said but still think I'd like to try some beefy-sounding flat wounds. Someone just recommended D'Addario nickel wound shortscale strings. Got an opinion?
 
#4
Marcus Duke said:
Someone just recommended D'Addario nickel wound shortscale strings. Got an opinion?
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I don't think those strings are going to be that much different than what you currently have on your Mustang PJ. Those are not flatwounds, and are made with the same materials as the stock roundwound strings you have on currently.

If you're absolutely set on putting flats on your shortscale, start with the D'Addario Chromes as they're the brightest ones available for your bass (that I know of). From there, you can go to other flatwounds for a darker sound.
 
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#6
Bright? But that's not really what I seek. I seek a darker, but more importantly, beefier-bottomed sound. I realize I appreciate the Mustang generally has a punchy, more mid-range sound, compared with my Ubass, for example. But I want to "feel" the bottom end much more than what is happening now, where I hear the notes super clearly but don't feel the air being pushed by the lower frequencies.
 
#7
Oh, ok, Dan, thanks for clarifying that: "deep" is the optimal descriptor. Jon threw me a bit with describing them as "bright" but if they're both bright AND deep, … well that would be the best of both worlds for me. Thanks much to both of you!
 
#8
Marcus Duke said:
But I want to "feel" the bottom end much more than what is happening now, where I hear the notes super clearly but don't feel the air being pushed by the lower frequencies.
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This is a result of your amp more than anything. What Rumble specifically, are you using to gig with?
 
#10
michael_t said:
Be careful about boosting the "bass" on your amp too much; instead, try boosting the low-mid for a beefier tone.
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Eh, I do it all the time and I love it! Just don't push the volume too hot and blow up your speakers.

The strings I've used with the biggest bottom end are Dunlop flats, GHS flats and LaBella DTFs. The Dunlops have more mid content than the LaBellas and they're less tense and available in a 40-100 set unlike GHS, so they're my favorite, but all three are good. Chromes might have been in the running and I used to like them a lot, but when I use flats, I want thump and deadness, and I could never get the D and G strings to settle down enough until the whole set sounded blah.
 
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#13
Labella makes a special through body set for the Mustang Bass. They are excellent strings and anything else you try will not be as good in terms of quality (you might prefer the sound or feel of something else but LaBella makes some of the best flats you can get). I have a similar set on my Kinal, although I'm using Dogal flats on a different bass and like them even better for me. The LaBellas are more balanced than Chromes in terms of tension. They are excellent. The through-body set for Mustang bass is 760-MUS. That's what you want. If you don't like those I will be surprised, but it would help you to pick another set by another brand once you can determine what it is you dislike about them, if anything. Start with those.
 
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#15
michael_t said:
Do you actually mean "turning the bass knob all the way up" like the OP said? Or, are you talking about "boosting the bass"?
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Yes :D If cranking it all the way up is what it needs to sound good, do it without fear. Just bear in mind that there's a fine line between sounding good and overwhelming the room. But if you determine that it's not overwhelming the room, twist away.
 
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#18
mikewalker said:
I get very nice short-scale-fatness using the GHS pressurewounds. Highly recommended! :thumbsup:
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I recently switched to Pressurewounds on my Maruszczyk short scale and love them. My Mustang is sporting Chromes and will probably stay that way. I use that base for different, mellower music than the Maruszczyk.

I wanted to like Labella flats on the Mustang but ultimately didn't. The Chromes are a little more lively to my ears.
 
#20
Marcus Duke said:
Maybe "bottom end" is not the best descriptor, but I just purchased a used, shortscale Mustang PJ bass and it came with roundwounds, light scale I think. I like the sound of these strings in the mid to upper range, but not so much on the lower range (e.g., open strings to the 4th-5th fret). EQ helps, but I'm interested in what flats you'd recommend that would better accentuate lower frequencies in the low range (open to half-rounds as well).
At present, I tend to roll off all the treble on the bass and my Rumble amp and turn the amp's bass all the way up to get more bottom out of the lower notes (with limited satisfaction), but wonder if some different strings would be the better solution or at least improve the low frequencies in combination with the EQing.
Click to expand...
I really like the Ernie ball Cobalt flats, they are super defined and thick, yet have a clarity that you wouldn't expect from flats. They seem to bring strong fundamental, when I put them on my shortscale they will hold a solid low c# on the e string when I am bringing them up to pitch after a string change
 

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