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Studio VS Live strings

superheavyfunk

superheavyfunk

Mar 11, 2013
4,410
6,395
Toronto
#1
Just curious - do any of you use different strings in your live setup versus when you’re recording?

Until yesterday, I had only been using my Charvel bass with nickel strings (a mix between Pure Blues and Fender) in a live context and really enjoy the sound. Yesterday, I brought it to a recording session (I usually record with an old passive Warwick) and realized that I actually don’t like the sound of the bass at all in this configuration, in this context: The B string sounds muddy rather than pillowy; the E and A sound a bit thin; the D and G sound crunchy.

This got me thinking about buying a new set for the times when I want to record while using this bass, which in turn led me to creating this post.

So, do any of you use different strings when recording rather than performing live? If so, what sets do you use in each context and why?
 
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#3
I think string selection is much more relevant for recording, where you can bring out and highlight the tone of the instrument more clearly and precisely.

Playing live, for me anyway, tends to be an extremely simple sonic equation: (1) is the bass audible at all?, followed by (2) is the EQ basically okay?

The delicate flavor palette of my favorite strings is largely irrelevant. Though I suppose how the strings "feel" might actually become even more important, if I may be playing non-stop for a longer period of time than I usually would when recording.

But to really answer your question: at this point in time, no, I would not use different strings for recording vs. playing live. I just routinely have my favorite "recording" strings always on the bass, and those work for playing live too.
 
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#4
superheavyfunk said:
I can’t seriously be the only one who’s thought about this
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Depending on your recording set up and how it differs from your live set up I definitely wouldn't fault you for trying different things. I have a lot of different strings I like for different reasons and if I wanted to have that I would do the same thing. It's no different than the guys that swap strings every gig like Steve Harris or Geddy Lee would. They wanted that new string snap and zing and that's the fastest way you're getting there. Try it out and see what happens. No fault in trying things.
 
#7
Depends. For apps that require a bright round I’d lean toward new strings installed a couple days before just to ensure they are seated and hold tune. For the rest you don’t need to refresh the TI flats. My opinion. I’m totally obsessive when it comes to brights. Dull, worn bright rounds aren’t bright. If the song needs the sparkle it’s new per session. But everyone has their own preference so there’s no wrong answer.

Besides, this is TalkBass so half of y’all are thinking the producer is going to insist on you playing a brown P bass.
 
#10
Killing Floor said:
Depends. For apps that require a bright round I’d lean toward new strings installed a couple days before just to ensure they are seated and hold tune. For the rest you don’t need to refresh the TI flats. My opinion. I’m totally obsessive when it comes to brights. Dull, worn bright rounds aren’t bright. If the song needs the sparkle it’s new per session. But everyone has their own preference so there’s no wrong answer.

Besides, this is TalkBass so half of y’all are thinking the producer is going to insist on you playing a brown P bass.
Click to expand...

mmm…brown p bass!
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#11
superheavyfunk said:
I can’t seriously be the only one who’s thought about this
Click to expand...
I'm sure you aren't the only one, but... personally? I never have...
Why? Because, although I have played live, it was many decades ago in a GI "Bar" band that played mostly in the many Enlisted Clubs in the Panama Canal Zone. Needless to say, we were never offered an opportunity to record... And, when I was the bass player, I played somebody else's bass, anyway... Why? Long story...;)
Still, I'm sure there's lots of player's here that can advise you. But, as for me? Sorry; I'm just a "Bedroom" Player now; all of my basses are set up with strings that make me happy in that "venue" - which almost always means flats...:cool:
 
#13
michael_t said:
A bedroom bassist with a couple of dozen basses... How do you sleep at night? ;):D
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In my bed - in a tiny bedroom that doesn't have room for much else. My little, 1BR house was built in 1932, and is very small - like, 640SF small. The bathroom is... adequate; the living room takes up the lion's share of the space; and the smallish kitchen/pantry is, for me, plenty big enough. Fortunately, 'Chateau de Brat' also has a 640SF basement - which is temp/humidity-controlled. That's where most of my instruments live; and, if I can ever get the chaos straightened out down there, is where I can shake the house down with my Fender Rumble 500 combo amp/outboard cab. For now, the only amp that's useable down there is a Blackstar Fly, that I use as a bench amp. Currently, there are 3 basses and a guitar (Epi JC; Rick 4003; Alembic Epic; and a Gretsch Electromatic Classic) hangin' out in the living room, along with a 50w Peavey combo amp/PolyTune pedal tuner. And, that's where I play, most of the time. Technically, I guess I'm really a "living room" player...:whistle:
 

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