Strings for Acoustic Bass

[someskunkfunk]

Hello everyone,
I've been playing for a few months my new acoustic bass (LAG Tramontane 177) and I'm pretty amazed by how it sounds. It still has the original strings: Bronze 40-95.
I was wondering if mounting different strings would provide a more upright-like tone.
In this case what would you recommend flatwound or tapewound (or other)?

Thanks
Thomas

 

[iiipopes]

Some folks use nylon tape wound strings to emulate an upright sound. There are several makes models to choose from. To get the same feel, you may need to use a standard set, something like 60-115, which the overall gauges are larger, but the extra diameter is from the nylon tape and doesn't affect the tension or feel, just the tone. If you go with this option, you will have to have your nut recut to accommodate the strings so they don't pinch and cause tuning stability issues.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

I use Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on my ABGs. (They're painfully expensive as strings go, and not everybody loves the gauges and the low-ish tension, but they have a distinct and interesting sound, and they last a loooonnnng time.) I tried La Bella Low Tension Flats but didn't like them as much. Tapewounds are cool and have worked for a lot of people; for me personally, the feel under my fingers wasn't ideal.

But any of the above would likely be an improvement over bronze roundwounds if you want your ABG's tone to lean more in the direction of an upright than in the direction of a big ol' guitar (though technically, of course, a big ol' guitar is exactly what it is). You probably won't ever get all the way there, and may not even want to, but you should be able to capture a bit of the upright vibe at least.

 

[GrapeBass]

Hello everyone,
I've been playing for a few months my new acoustic bass (LAG Tramontane 177) and I'm pretty amazed by how it sounds. It still has the original strings: Bronze 40-95.
I was wondering if mounting different strings would provide a more upright-like tone.
In this case what would you recommend flatwound or tapewound (or other)?

Thanks
Thomas

I use LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass tape wounds on both my frestless AGBasses. While not exactly an upright tone, it's damn close especially if your technique allows it!

Good luck!

Jb

 

[someskunkfunk]

Some folks use nylon tape wound strings to emulate an upright sound. There are several makes models to choose from. To get the same feel, you may need to use a standard set, something like 60-115, which the overall gauges are larger, but the extra diameter is from the nylon tape and doesn't affect the tension or feel, just the tone. If you go with this option, you will have to have your nut recut to accommodate the strings so they don't pinch and cause tuning stability issues.

Thanks, I'll go for that.
Not sure about the gauge. I wouldn't like to modify the nut now.
Currently the nut cuts are quite narrow, they don't completely "embrace" the thicker strings (see photo). So I suppose there shouldn't be tuning issues even with heavier gauge. Otherwise I think opting for smaller gauge is a good compromise.

 

[Cave Puppy]

I just fixed a friend's Michael Kelly ABG that had tapewounds on it. Yummy! I hate the phosphor bronze strings. So much so it has sworn me off ABGs but I may reconsider now that I know how tapewounds feel and sound.

 

[iiipopes]

Thanks, I'll go for that.
Not sure about the gauge. I wouldn't like to modify the nut now.
Currently the nut cuts are quite narrow, they don't completely "embrace" the thicker strings (see photo). So I suppose there shouldn't be tuning issues even with heavier gauge. Otherwise I think opting for smaller gauge is a good compromise.

That is exactly how strings should go over a nut, a balance of security from the slope back to the tuners but not so deep the strings bind in the slots. The issue with going to a set of standard gauge tape wounds is that the corners of the nut slots will dig into the strings since the slots are made wide enough to accommodate the acoustic bronze strings, but not the extra diameter of the tape.