Strings for acoustic bass

[randysmojo]

What string seems to be the best on an acoustic bass to emulate a SUB type tone? Phosphor Bronze, flat wounds, of maybe even tape wounds?

 

[jallenbass]

I'm not sure what a SUB type tone is.

 

[randysmojo]

Stand Up Bass

 

[Gorn]

Nothing sounds like an upright other than an upright. If you want something close, the ubass is a great option. Tapewounds sound great on an acoustic. Not like an upright, but awesome.

 

[fretlessguy]

First, get rid of the phosphor strings as quick as possible and install tapes or flats. Next, stick a piece of foam under the strings to mute them. Disposable diaper works well as a substitute if you have no foam. Now add a touch of reverb from your favorite bass multi-effects pedal and adjust your playing style accordingly.

Better yet, get a fretless Kala UBass or even a real upright.

 

[randysmojo]

I know it wot sound just like an upright, but I have seen videos of people playing on acoustic basses that sound scary close. I'm am asking people in their experience, what type of string will get you closest of all the types available. Does have to sound just like one.

 

[Gorn]

First, get rid of the phosphor strings as quick as possible and install tapes or flats. Next, stick a piece of foam under the strings to mute them. Disposable diaper works well as a substitute if you have no foam. Now add a touch of reverb from your favorite bass multi-effects pedal and adjust your playing style accordingly.

Better yet, get a fretless Kala UBass or even a real upright.

This is your best bet

 

[randysmojo]

Kala doesn't make a 5-string acoustic and I don't have the money to buy an upright or the room for one right now.

 

[fretlessguy]

Kala doesn't make a 5-string acoustic and I don't have the money to buy an upright or the room for one right now.

Then I would go with a set of tapes,(especially if your acoustic bass guitar is fretted) and mute it with foam. I have seen people mute with the palm of their playing hand, and with a bit of reverb and practice (even with an electric) pull it off and really get close. A little experimentation with your EQing would help as well. If your bass cabinet has an adjustable tweeter then bring it up or add a slight bit more treble in your EQing. Other than that, I cannot think of anything else you could do.

 

[randysmojo]

Thanks. So tapes you think will get close. I thought that would probably be the closest, but didn't know if maybe someone had tried them and had issues wit them not working how you would think they would or something!

 

[Gorn]

A fretless acoustic will give you a closer approximation than a fretted will.

 

[arock0627]

Get some black nylon tapewounds. Carvin.com has the La Bella 5 string set for 25 bucks.

 

[randysmojo]

The LaBella's for Carvin sounds like a winner!

 

[Gorn]

Labellas are great. The white ones area also great. Brighter than the black ones and incredibly smooth to the touch.

 

[lmfreeman9]

LaBella tapes with your right hand at the bottom of the neck.

 

[Bassman316]

I recently picked up my first set of LaBella tapes and put them on my acoustic. They sound great, helluva lot better than the old worn out phosphor rounds that were on it before. The feel great, too!

 

[bassist4dalord]

Kala doesn't make a 5-string acoustic and I don't have the money to buy an upright or the room for one right now.

Is it an absolute requirement to be acoustic? Kala makes a solid body 5er which, upon viewing YouTube videos, sounds pretty similar to the acoustic model.

 

[missbassfreak]

First, get rid of the phosphor strings as quick as possible and install tapes or flats. Next, stick a piece of foam under the strings to mute them. Disposable diaper works well as a substitute if you have no foam. Now add a touch of reverb from your favorite bass multi-effects pedal and adjust your playing style accordingly.

Better yet, get a fretless Kala UBass or even a real upright.[/Q


for upright sound!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f233/patton-mute-pad-985663/

 

[KwinS]

I'm going to revive this thread with a question, because I see a lot of folks recommending tapes here:

How much volume is lost going from the phosphor bronzes to tapes? Is it a considerable amount?

I just got one of the new Warwick Alien acoustic 6 string fretlesses, and it has phosphors. They turn my fingertips black. The bass is pretty substantial volume-wise compared to other acoustic electrics I have tried, and I don't want to lose too much of that.

Thanks!