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String recommendations for a fretless acoustic

W

walkTheBass

Nov 29, 2008
14
0
Scotland
#1
Help! I have a fretless acoustic bass and I want it to sound as close to a double bass as I can get it.

What strings do you recommend for this?

The bass I have came with Elixirs, which sound alright and a bit like an upright. I replaced them with Thomastik Acoustic strings and was very disappointed as they sound more like a classical guitar than an upright bass. I did like their lower tension, but not the tone.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
 
#5
I have found GHS Precision flats to be the most realistic sounding upright sounding, at least on my Carvin AC40F. I experimented and tried for many years with different tapewounds, phosper bronze, and other brands of flats, but settled on the GHS strings, at least for my bass. I also found the lighter set, (.40-.95) to be the closest gauge for the sound I was looking for.

FG
 
#6
Thanks for the quick replies Darkstrike and fretlessguy. I think I will try the GHS strings recommended by fretlessguy and if they don't work out, I will try some tapewounds. I have some labellas fitted on a jazz bass, but the tension is a bit too high, so I am wary of bridge damage to the acoustic. Again, thanks guys. Once I've fitted them, I'll let you know how they sound.
 
#8
I'll give another two thumbs up for the tapewounds.
SS roundwound with a sleek, nylon tape wrapping. Can't beat it.
LaBella's are something like $19.00 from the Carvin site. S&H is kinda steep, so I order 2 sets at a time, and one set can go a real long time.
The tension hasn't bothered either of my ABG's in the 3-5 years they've been on.
 

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