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String Advice (newbie)

River19

River19

Feb 16, 2022
12
18
New England
#1
Long time drummer but new bassist, I have TRBX174EW which I got used and I think the original strings are probably on it. Been playing for a few months for giggles and noticed the strings are showing signs of corrosion etc. I want to replace them.

I am "fine" with the existing gauge of the round wounds and I am assuming it is full scale.

I have a Squire P-Bass on the way.....also for giggles as I think everyone needs a P-Bass like substance.

Should I try flat wounds on the Yamaha?

What the hell should I get? Stick with rounds......nickle? so many choices......
 
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#7
I got my Squire CV 60s P Bass today.......cool little rig......hate the stock strings so far. Bright as hell.

I'm going to give the P Bass some time to grow on me but out of the gate, I like the weight and neck on the Yamaha better, but there is also more familiarity there.

While I am ordering a replacement set for the TRBX I think I might fire up a set of Chromes.....light flat wound, it's only money.....lol

Thinking Fender 7250s for the TRBX.......

Am I about to step into a steaming pile in any way here?
 
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#11
There's round wounds, flat wounds and half rounds. each sound and feel different on different basses. You just have to try a bunch. My 76 Ric sounds and feels great with GHS boomers rounds, My 2015 Ric hated them. I went with GHS pressure rounds med light 44-102 and I love them, using them on 3 of my basses. Another one I like was Ernie Ball Cobalt's, both round and flat. very bright.
 
#12
River19 said:
While I am ordering a replacement set for the TRBX I think I might fire up a set of Chromes.....light flat wound, it's only money.....lol

Thinking Fender 7250s for the TRBX.......
Click to expand...

Chromes Flats on the P and Nickel-plated steel roundwound on the PJ (TRBX)... That would be a good starting point. Once you get going on this, it will be easier to assess your needs based on how this initial setup works out. As they say, it's easier to steer a moving car than a parked one. ;)
 
#13
You think of bass strings along two lines to get you from a smooth/dull tone to a bright/aggressive tone:

First, the surface of the strings. You go from flatwound or even tapewound strings for the minimum finger noise and mids. Then on to 'ground wound' strings that are round wound strings that have had the outer winding buffed or mechanically swaged down somewhat. These will have more mids and finger noise than flats. The brightest strings are round wound with relatively the brightest tone.

Second, in concert with those construction methods, the metal alloys contribute the rest of the tone. Flats tend to use less-agressive alloys to contribute to their generally smooth sound. For grounds and rounds the choices tend to run some version of nickel alloy, or stainless alloys which give the brightest tone possible.

Other tweaks like hex or round cored, the ratios of inner to outer windings, and more signature designs from brand to brand play into it.

Over time, you'll probably try different strings as we all did until you find one that feels and sounds best to you.
 
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#14
River19 said:
Long time drummer but new bassist, I have TRBX174EW which I got used and I think the original strings are probably on it. Been playing for a few months for giggles and noticed the strings are showing signs of corrosion etc. I want to replace them.

I am "fine" with the existing gauge of the round wounds and I am assuming it is full scale.

I have a Squire P-Bass on the way.....also for giggles as I think everyone needs a P-Bass like substance.

Should I try flat wounds on the Yamaha?

What the hell should I get? Stick with rounds......nickle? so many choices......
Click to expand...
Well... it's your bass; try any kind of string on it you want to. That's how most of learned what brand/type/gauge strings we like, and what works best for us. I'm not a big fan of round wounds, myself, but most of the ones I've used are Ernie Ball Hybrid or Regular Slinkys. Good, middle-of-the-road nickel rounds; inexpensive; easy to find; consistent quality; and for me? They last quite a while, too. I've found that they are an excellent "starting point" when I get a new bass, and am trying to decide what strings it will ultimately wear. Brighter? Darker? Stainless or pure nickel (the Slinkys are nickel plated)? Or, do I want to go with flats right off the bat? In that case, I'll start with Fender 9050L flats; which, IME, are a very good "starting point" flat wound. Not too bright or dark; not too stiff or flexible; inexpensive (for flats); good, consistent quality; easy to find; and if you keep them clean, they will last for several years. I have them on a couple of my basses, and one set is... almost 6 years old, now.
So... by all means - experiment. And, search this Forum, too. There are threads here about just about every string you can think of, and nobody here is very shy about relating their experience or voicing their opinion, either. Lots of string demos on here - and on YouTube - as well. That's how I found the Galli Jazz Flats that are on my EBMM 4HH Stingray Special, in fact...:cool:
 
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#16
River19 said:
Long time drummer but new bassist, I have TRBX174EW which I got used and I think the original strings are probably on it. Been playing for a few months for giggles and noticed the strings are showing signs of corrosion etc. I want to replace them.

I am "fine" with the existing gauge of the round wounds and I am assuming it is full scale.

I have a Squire P-Bass on the way.....also for giggles as I think everyone needs a P-Bass like substance.

Should I try flat wounds on the Yamaha?

What the hell should I get? Stick with rounds......nickle? so many choices......
Click to expand...
Many people including iron maiden's Steve Harris play flatwound on p basses and like them. It might work for you but it might not. Flats are always going to be more expensive but Rotosound, D'addario, LaBella are usually good choices for flats that won't cost big money like TI. Magma strings also make flats and I've heard some good things. I mention those because online I see them going for good prices. I have a set of roundwound waiting to go. But anyway I'd buy both flats and rounds and see what you think. For round wound Rotosound, Dunlop, DR, GHS, Dean Markley, SIT are all great and you won't go wrong with any of those.
 
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#17
Quick update/closing the loop....

Put the flats on the P-Bass and THAT was the sound I was looking for......great change. Clearly the feel is different, not in a bad way though.

I also put some Fender 7520 Rounds on my TRBX......man didn't know how much the old ones needed to go. I also took the time without strings to condition the fretboards on both. Why not......
 
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#18
River19 said:
Quick update/closing the loop....

Put the flats on the P-Bass and THAT was the sound I was looking for......great change. Clearly the feel is different, not in a bad way though.

I also put some Fender 7520 Rounds on my TRBX......man didn't know how much the old ones needed to go. I also took the time without strings to condition the fretboards on both. Why not......
Click to expand...
Good deal! Fretboard conditioner is a good idea. It really cleans everything and I swear it makes everything sound a little better when it's free of dirt and grime. Enjoy your playing and next time you're looking for strings you have all the honorable mentions here for reference.
 
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#20
River19 said:
Long time drummer but new bassist, I have TRBX174EW which I got used and I think the original strings are probably on it. Been playing for a few months for giggles and noticed the strings are showing signs of corrosion etc. I want to replace them.

I am "fine" with the existing gauge of the round wounds and I am assuming it is full scale.

I have a Squire P-Bass on the way.....also for giggles as I think everyone needs a P-Bass like substance.

Should I try flat wounds on the Yamaha?

What the hell should I get? Stick with rounds......nickle? so many choices......
Click to expand...

Personally, I can’t suggest a set of flatwounds, but for roundwounds, I suggest that you start off with a set of D’Addario XLs. I typically used the XL165 and XL170 set. If for some reason you can’t find XLs, buy a set of Ernie Ball Slinkys. I’ve used both Super Slinkys or Hybrid Slinkys. Both are great strings IMHO.

These sets are nickel plated steel roundwound strings that are readily available, and they can be found at a good price. For me, they’re a good “middle of the road” roundwound sets.

IMO D’Addario XLs feel similar to Ernie Ball Slinkys, and brand new, they both sound very similar. For me, XLs sound a bit brighter, and they keep their brightness for a longer than average time. Don’t forget to wipe down your strings with a clean, dry cloth after you’ve played them.
 
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