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Strings with higher output?

#3
The reason I ask is because I like to go out in the backyard and practice quietly. I love my Waza Craft Boss wireless headphones but sometimes I like to hear the sounds of nature while I practice.

I saw a cheap 10 watt bass amplifier on Amazon and picked it up but it's not loud. I have noticed my bases that have the Cobalt strings seem louder through this device.
 
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#4
bassrique said:
I forgot the name of the alloy that GHS uses in their Pressure Wounds but they claim it gives their strings higher output. Ernie Ball Cobalts make similar claims...
Click to expand...

The nickel-iron alloy used for GHS Pressurewounds and Brite Flats are known as "Alloy 52". Rotosound calls it "Type 52 alloy", which is basically the same thing.

I've used Alloy 52 strings quite extensively, and I don't find them being "higher in output" as such. Yes, they do tend to have a healthy output, but compared to the standard stainless steel and nickel-plated steel, the difference in "volume" is not that drastic; they're not necessarily "louder".

What I do like about the Alloy 52 strings is their mid-forward character with added punch, which can be perceived as being "louder".
 
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#5
michael_t said:
The nickel-iron alloy used for GHS Pressurewounds and Brite Flats are known as "Alloy 52". Rotosound calls it "Type 52 alloy", which is basically the same thing.

I've used Alloy 52 strings quite extensively, and I don't find them being "higher in output" as such. Yes, they do tend to have a healthy output, but compared to the standard stainless steel and nickel-plated steel, the difference in "volume" is not that drastic; they're not necessarily "louder".

What I do like about the Alloy 52 strings is their mid-forward character with added punch, which can be perceived as being "louder".
Click to expand...

How do Cobalt Flats fit in?
And do Brite Flats sound similar to Cobalts?
 
#9
I can’t get past the correlation between the given output of a set of strings and the ability to turn the volume of any amplifier from zero to its full volume.

The practicing outdoors scenario….nuh uh…
 
#10
I like practicing outside too, so cheers to that! It feels great to play outside on a nice summer day. I tend to think of the backyard as more the realm of acoustic instruments, but I sometimes take my electric basses out to the backyard for headphone practice too. I'm looking forward to some nice afternoons and evenings in my backyard this summer with my acoustic bass.

When it comes to louder strings, I have also found Brite Flats and EB Cobalt Flats to be a bit louder than the rest, but like michael_t pointed out, I wonder if part of that comes down to the inherent tonal qualities of those strings. Perhaps changing how you EQ other strings (pump the mids) could enable you to feel like you're getting a bit more volume out of your little 10w practice amp. I guess a pickup height adjust could help too..? Maybe you don't want to mess with your setup just for outdoors practice though.

It couldn't be a bad idea to get yourself an acoustic bass either! :D
 
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#11
bassrique said:
The reason I ask is because I like to go out in the backyard and practice quietly. I love my Waza Craft Boss wireless headphones but sometimes I like to hear the sounds of nature while I practice.

I saw a cheap 10 watt bass amplifier on Amazon and picked it up but it's not loud. I have noticed my bases that have the Cobalt strings seem louder through this device.
Click to expand...
String alloy is going to make a difference, but not a large one. Judging the output of different basses against each other through a very tiny amp, there are so many other factors to consider besides the string alloy.

What I would do, in increasing order of investment:
a) Elevate the amp closer to your ears. You will lose low end from doing this, but you will be able to hear more of the mid content that is helpful to your ear.

b) Practice with the basses that do seem louder through the amp.

c) Get a different amp. I don't know the specifications of your amp, but I suspect 10W is going to be your bottleneck as far as getting a reasonable practice volume. It also doesn't help that you want to practice outside. Inside a room, more of the sound is delivered to your ears. Outside, more of it simply radiates into the environment never to return. So, you're going to want an amp that will get louder to compensate for that loss. I would recommend something in the 25W-50W range if you absolutely need it to be cheaper or lighter. But, I would also make a point to try different amps in a store before you buy.
 
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#12
Strings are important, some are just duller, but a hp/lp filter, amp sim/boost pedal, or compressor/Eq pedal will have more desirable results, gain-wise than strings. Been using all stated pedals, with stainless carbon Dogal rounds and the results are positive.
 
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#14
If I try to think about this logically, you would need a higher mass to disturb the magnetic field more, i.e. create more output, right? I haven't experimented with induction since I was in 7th grade I think. So if the string has more mass, then it could theoretically give you more output. But at the same time, I don't think the difference in strings with different alloys, or even different sizes, would make a really noticable difference.
Might just be confirmation bias, where you either imagine it actually sounds louder, you think it sounds louder because the strings are new and have more top end, or you unconsciously just play more aggressive.
 

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