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Strings for thud not clang on light-sounding bass

PDW30

PDW30

Jul 12, 2021
5,129
20,505
England
#1
Apologies if this is a well-trodden road, but I have among my bass collection (don't ask) a few instruments that sound clangy - a couple of Glarries and a Johnson MusicMan lookalike. All strung with roundwounds. At the best their tone lacks the bottom I like when I get it from, say, a Squier P with Fender flats played very lightly, and at the worst it can sound a bit like a dustbin lid being hit, however much I adjust the bass and amp controls and gently stroke the strings.

I know some of it's in the right hand technique and I'm working on that, but that's slow in coming and I want to enjoy playing them in the meantime. I'm wondering whether people here can suggest strings that can help me take some of the clang out of the sound and give me some thud.
 
#3
Flats, really. That's what you want.
Had a very clanky Sandberg with the stock rounds. TI jazz flats fixed that.
I spent decades damping with my palm sat on the bridge until I made the leap to flats.
TI jazz flats are my fave because I like the low tension but D'Addario have a nice tone if you prefer a little more meat under your fingers.
 
#4
Man about Tyne said:
Flats, really. That's what you want.
Had a very clanky Sandberg with the stock rounds. TI jazz flats fixed that.
I spent decades damping with my palm sat on the bridge until I made the leap to flats.
TI jazz flats are my fave because I like the low tension but D'Addario have a nice tone if you prefer a little more meat under your fingers.
Click to expand...
I have TI Jazz flats on an Ibby SR300, and I love them. I also like the idea of putting a £50 set of strings on a £70 bass ... sort-of.
 
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#7
If you want to stay with rounds? I've found the hex core GHS Bass Boomers to be just about the thumpiest rounds out there. If you want to try flats, but don't want to lose half your mids and most of your highs? Yeah, TI Jazz Flats are a good choice - if you don't mind the price; the rather pronounced flexiness; and the time they take to break in. Otherwise? Fender 9050L's might be a better choice. I like TIs - and use them - but, I consider them a specialty string. I also use - and like - the Fenders, and consider them much more versatile. But, if you want to go Old School Flats? Then, La Bella DTFs (all but the very lightest gauge ones) or GHS Precision Flats will be a good way to go. And yes, I use those strings, too...:cool:
 
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#9
lowphatbass said:
When you get the flats on there give them some time before making a final judgment. Remember not to wipe them down, don't bother washing before hand and play as much as possible. These are serious recommendations btw.
Click to expand...
Can I speed the process up by using something other than skin+sweat+finger grease to damp the strings down? I'm trying ChapStick on a set of rounds but it feels insubstantial for holding vibrating bits of strings together,
 
#10
PDW30 said:
Can I speed the process up by using something other than skin+sweat+finger grease to damp the strings down? I'm trying ChapStick on a set of rounds but it feels insubstantial for holding vibrating bits of strings together,
Click to expand...
Watch the TB classifieds for people selling used strings: You'll get them cheaper and someone else has already broken them in for you!
 
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#11
PDW30 said:
Can I speed the process up by using something other than skin+sweat+finger grease to damp the strings down? I'm trying ChapStick on a set of rounds but it feels insubstantial for holding vibrating bits of strings together,
Click to expand...
I wouldn't recommend it…just use the desire to break-in the strings as extra motivation to play more. I suspect some of your desire for more thump might be achieved through technique as well so it's a win/win in the long run!
 

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