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String recommendations for K-162
- Thread starter Clipped
- Start date
Specific recommendation can only be made when you tell us about your specific needs and wants, including tonal goals, musical styles, etc.
By specific, I meant something more than “light”.
I don’t want to limit the suggestions by getting too specific myself. I’d like to hear what has worked for others, and I’m open to all reasonable suggestions. For me, this bass calls for flats, but I’d be willing to consider a strong argument for something else. I am enjoying the thump of the current strings, but the the E could stand to be a bit more articulate. I play in a church band, an acoustic band, and a rock band (although the 162 probably won’t make many appearances with that group).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I do have a specific question...
What's the distance on that particular bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where the string clears the nut? Just trying to get an idea as to what "winding length" is required.
What's the distance on that particular bass from where the E string ball end is seated to where the string clears the nut? Just trying to get an idea as to what "winding length" is required.
I have an original 162. I put an old set
of Thomastik-Infeld JF344, long scale
34 inches. They’re flat nickel wound steel, .043, .056, .070, .100.
You can see there is quite a lot of
windings at the tuners.
From the tuner side of the nut to the front of the bridge is 31”.
I think they sound really good. I use the bass for Americana type of music, and blues. It’s also quite passable for an acoustic jazz gig, but I bring the upright for that.
of Thomastik-Infeld JF344, long scale
34 inches. They’re flat nickel wound steel, .043, .056, .070, .100.
You can see there is quite a lot of
windings at the tuners.
From the tuner side of the nut to the front of the bridge is 31”.
I think they sound really good. I use the bass for Americana type of music, and blues. It’s also quite passable for an acoustic jazz gig, but I bring the upright for that.
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Do they have black silk at the ball end as well? What about the color(s) of the ball ends themselves?
GHS Precision Flats 45-95 come in "medium scale" with 35.5" winding length (ball end to taper/silk), which would be a perfect fit for your bass.
EDIT: Be cautioned "medium scale" sets by most manufacturers are around 34" in winding length, which is too short for your bass based on the measurement provided.
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The "medium scale" by Dunlop is 34" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk). According to the OP, his bass requires a winding length of minimum 34.5".
Keep in mind tapewounds tend to be "heavy" in gauges because of the nylon cover. The nylon cover actually contributes very little to either stiffness or overall tension.
As Michael-t said, the nylon adds to the thickness of the string but has little bearing on the tension. I find them to be easy to play and a great choice for this instrument. I always play flatwound strings on bass guitar because I like a deep smooth sound that sits in its place at the bottom of the mix. If you want a cutting sound these would be the wrong strings and IMHO the wrong bass as well.
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