Trying a new bass with strings you don't plan to use

[mikeynets]

In my pretty limited experience (owned 8 basses total, played maybe another dozen) I've found strings have an outsize effect to how a bass sounds (and feels.) Nothing ground breaking there, but as I progress along in my bass trying and acquiring journey, I've developed very specific tonal goals. I'm thinking about adding another bass to the quiver, but I want to make sure it delivers the tones I'm looking for — but how can I know if it's not strung how I would want it?

So when you've got your eye on a new bass and you give it a whirl but it's got strings that are nowhere near the sound or style you're going for, do you just focus on playability knowing the effect you're preferred strings will have? Seems crazy and I've never heard of people doing this, but do people bring their preferred strings along to a shop or private seller and ask to string them up? Or do you rely on your understanding of string, bass, pickup etc characteristics and just make the leap of faith?

TIA for any advice you have.

 

[2strings2frets]

In my pretty limited experience (owned 8 basses total, played maybe another dozen) I've found strings have an outsize effect to how a bass sounds (and feels.) Nothing ground breaking there, but as I progress along in my bass trying and acquiring journey, I've developed very specific tonal goals. I'm thinking about adding another bass to the quiver, but I want to make sure it delivers the tones I'm looking for — but how can I know if it's not strung how I would want it?

So when you've got your eye on a new bass and you give it a whirl but it's got strings that are nowhere near the sound or style you're going for, do you just focus on playability knowing the effect you're preferred strings will have? Seems crazy and I've never heard of people doing this, but do people bring their preferred strings along to a shop or private seller and ask to string them up? Or do you rely on your understanding of string, bass, pickup etc characteristics and just make the leap of faith?

TIA for any advice you have.

It’s never occurred to me to put my strings on someone else’s bass (it’s not yours until you pay, then it is.). IMHO feel is most important. When you get it home there are hundreds of tweeks you can use to produce your concept of sound.

 

[michael_t]

I choose the strings based on what would give me the sound I'm after on any given bass, not the other way around. I don't choose the bass based on how it sounds with one set of strings just because they happen to be my favorite.

 

[mikeynets]

I choose the strings based on what would give me the sound I'm after on any given bass, not the other way around. I don't choose the bass based on how it sounds with one set of strings just because they happen to be my favorite.

I get that. But my point is there’s still guesswork or a leap of faith that’s happening with a new to you instrument. Online demos, hearing someone else play it live, etc is one data point, playing it yourself with strings you don’t like is another, all aiming/hoping that when you play said bass with your preferred strings, it actually does what you think it will.

I was wondering if anyone has a method or just thought process for upping the chances of success in this scenario.

 

[michael_t]

I was wondering if anyone has a method or just thought process for upping the chances of success in this scenario.

Based on my personal experience, there is no shortcut to finding just the right strings for any given bass. Experimenting with a whole bunch, and yes investing some money doing it, is part of the process. So, you might as well enjoy the journey. It's been taking me a dozen years to get to the point where I have pretty good ideas as to what works for me and what doesn't.

Having said all that, one thing I would recommend is to invest some time here on TalkBass reading about other people's experiences with various brands and types of strings. 95% of what I know about bass strings I learned here on TB.

 

[mikeynets]

Based on my personal experience, there is no shortcut to finding just the right strings for any given bass. Experimenting with a whole bunch, and yes investing some money doing it, is part of the process. So, you might as well enjoy the journey. It's been taking me a dozen years to get to the point where I have pretty good ideas as to what works for me and what doesn't.

Having said all that, one thing I would recommend is to invest some time here on TalkBass reading about other people's experiences with various brands and types of strings. 95% of what I know about bass strings I learned here on TB.

Haha yeah I’m on the path and learning.

For a good chunk of my string swapping time, it was just rounds to the cheapest flats I could find. But in the last year few years, I’ve done a few flats to different flats (like you, with the guidance of TB) and it’s been an eye opener how much variety there is in just that sub section of strings. And then new vs old flats…

 

[Geri O]

I get that. But my point is there’s still guesswork or a leap of faith that’s happening with a new to you instrument. Online demos, hearing someone else play it live, etc is one data point, playing it yourself with strings you don’t like is another, all aiming/hoping that when you play said bass with your preferred strings, it actually does what you think it will.

I was wondering if anyone has a method or just thought process for upping the chances of success in this scenario.

Respecfully, you have a good bit of over-thinking going on here. Yeah, a little guesswork, maybe a leap of faith, but it's just not all of that, I tell ya.

My selection process (which isn't vast) is simply playing the bass as it is on the wall or out of the box. You really can get a good feel for that instrument as to whether you want to pursue a purchase on that bass.

There's only once that I asked the salesman for some tools to make a minor tweak on a bass I was looking at. I just raised the action a bit ato make it less "rattly". Aeven then, I didn't buy the bass. Just didn't get good feelies for it.

 

[tpaul]

I go by smell.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

but how can I know

The truth is, you can't. And it's not just a matter of tone. If you're using lower/higher gauge strings than the installed strings, there's no way of knowing how the neck will react to the different tension. Some necks can't handle high tension strings, and some necks/basses will give you fret buzz with low tension strings, no matter how perfectly the frets are leveled and how perfect the setup is. Good quality basses should be able to handle both of course, but there's lots of poor quality basses out there, with necks made from soft/poor quality wood.

The part about the tone is, at least to some extent, a matter of experience. If the bass is equipped with one of the most commonly used strings (like D'Addario XLs, Fenders, Boomers...) I can usually predict how the bass would sound with MY choice of strings. I would need to know which exact strings are installed though, to get a reference point. If the bass is equipped with something more unusual like tapewounds or very old/worn roundwounds it can be pure guesswork. The trick is to listen to the MIDS. That's where you will find most of the character of a specific bass.

The part about the tension is a lottery though. There's no way of knowing for sure until you install YOUR strings. However, there is one thing to look for. A soft neck with a lot of "give" can be a sign of a poor quality neck. It doesn't necessarily have to be a poor bass, but soft necks with a lot of of "give" are always a red flag for me. Soft necks can often struggle with high tension strings, and/or have excessive fret buzz with low tension strings.

If you use very low tension strings I would also avoid basses with single action truss rods (like most Fenders) unless you are 100% certain that the neck relief will be sufficient with low tension strings. Lots of Fenders can NOT handle ultra-low tension strings like TI Jazz Rounds without buzzing in the lower frets. A dual action truss rod will usually take care of this.

 

[rtslinger]

Ok so, each bass has it own personality, you play it, and if fits you feel, play ability (set up well) and for me what it sounds like unplugged. if those boxes are checked I will plug it in. Strings are the last thing on my mind what I have on bass #1 doesn't what for #15 you need to find what strings bring the bass to life.
Perfect example I have to of the same bass just color is the only difference. First I strung with DR Black Beauties and it kills. Second one not even close with those Dr strings. After testing Fender 7250 Nickel-plated steel rounds 45-105 made it sing

 

[Dust2Dust]

If a bass isn't satisfactory as is then I won't buy it. My string choice is just to "Make a good thing better".

 

[el murdoque]

I have no data points to offer except for experience.
There's the problem. I've bought a few basses and sold them a few months later because they felt right in the heat of the moment, but once the honeymoon had passed, reality caught up and something that I thought would be no problem in the long run became one.
With growing experience and a solid amount of overthinking, you will come to some conclusions.
Which factors are ones that will settle down once you get really accustomed to that bass and which will stick out like a sore thumb? It's a personal thing, so it's not really feasible to list what grinds my gears vs. what's smoothing out in the process, because those that I will list only work for me.

Nowadays, my rate of success has grown a lot, and I can make an educated guess on how things will turn out - but especially with flats, you need to put on a set and play them until they are good - and then you'll know.

 

[Stranger Danger]

You are starting with a fallacy. Each bass is going to tell you what strings work best on it. Just because you prefer one string doesn’t mean it’s best for all basses.

And here’s another shocker for Talkbass: maybe you don’t need another bass? Play what you have and know that your tastes and needs will change dramatically over the years

 

[hasbeen]

I'm pretty picky when it comes to strings. A little story- Both basses in my Avatar are pretty expensive. I happened to buy them from the same store and they know me pretty well. I used the same approach when evaluating both basses. I picked the instrument up and played it unplugged for quite a bit. Once satisfied with how resonant it was, I plugged it in and played it for maybe an hour. I left the store and told them I'd be back.

I came the next day with my strings. I changed the strings and did "my" set up on the instrument (I like ZERO relief in the neck). I played it for another .....I dunno, maybe an hour. Once I really liked the bass and intended to buy, I did an inspection, including removing the control cavity cover.

That's pretty much my approach for any instrument I buy.

 

[mikeynets]

You are starting with a fallacy. Each bass is going to tell you what strings work best on it. Just because you prefer one string doesn’t mean it’s best for all basses.

And here’s another shocker for Talkbass: maybe you don’t need another bass? Play what you have and know that your tastes and needs will change dramatically over the years

Two great points!

I agree with you 100% on not needing another bass.

The fallacy point — you’re also correct based on how I worded my question. I shouldn’t have said preferred strings, rather “the strings I think would sound better” and then only if I wasn’t jibing with the current strings. Not a specific set of strings, but a specific tonal goal. Strings TBD

 

[mikeynets]

The truth is, you can't. And it's not just a matter of tone. If you're using lower/higher gauge strings than the installed strings, there's no way of knowing how the neck will react to the different tension. Some necks can't handle high tension strings, and some necks/basses will give you fret buzz with low tension strings, no matter how perfectly the frets are leveled and how perfect the setup is. Good quality basses should be able to handle both of course, but there's lots of poor quality basses out there, with necks made from soft/poor quality wood.

The part about the tone is, at least to some extent, a matter of experience. If the bass is equipped with one of the most commonly used strings (like D'Addario XLs, Fenders, Boomers...) I can usually predict how the bass would sound with MY choice of strings. I would need to know which exact strings are installed though, to get a reference point. If the bass is equipped with something more unusual like tapewounds or very old/worn roundwounds it can be pure guesswork. The trick is to listen to the MIDS. That's where you will find most of the character of a specific bass.

The part about the tension is a lottery though. There's no way of knowing for sure until you install YOUR strings. However, there is one thing to look for. A soft neck with a lot of "give" can be a sign of a poor quality neck. It doesn't necessarily have to be a poor bass, but soft necks with a lot of of "give" are always a red flag for me. Soft necks can often struggle with high tension strings, and/or have excessive fret buzz with low tension strings.

If you use very low tension strings I would also avoid basses with single action truss rods (like most Fenders) unless you are 100% certain that the neck relief will be sufficient with low tension strings. Lots of Fenders can NOT handle ultra-low tension strings like TI Jazz Rounds without buzzing in the lower frets. A dual action truss rod will usually take care of this.

How do you test the softness of a neck? Do you pull it back from the headstock while bracing the body?

 

[Ritter667]

With experience comes the ability to decern whether or not an instrument sounds great, regardless of which strings it has equipped when you try it out.

I don't think there is any secret trick, just experience and listening, and a lot of experience with listening.

 

[mdogs]

Classic TB over thinking. I have never even once in my 46 years of playing ever thought about this. If I play a bass in a store I have never worried about the strings, if it sounds good with the strings on it, it will sound even better once I get the proper strings on it. Only once in my time have I ever kept on the strings that were on it when I bought it. It was a P bass that I got from Nino Valenti and it had some NOS Sadowsky strings on it.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

How do you test the softness of a neck? Do you pull it back from the headstock while bracing the body?

Basically yes. But playing the bass and actually "feeling" how it behaves dynamically is often the best way. Lots of attack/thump and poor sustain with strings that aren't supposed to be thumpy is often an indication of a soft, poor quality neck.

Depending on your playing style and personal taste, necks that are very stiff aren't always the best choice either. Personally I like necks that are SLIGHTLY stiffer than an average, modern Fender P. Any harder than that and I don't get the "bouncy" feel that I want from a bass.

 

[micguy]

When I am playing a bass in a store, I'm am focused on the neck profile, how straight it is - does it buzz anywhere? Does the neck have any pronounced dead spots (you absolutely have to tune the thing to standard pitch to evaluate this) - I am looking for things that I can't fix ( I can fix a LOT of things). If a bass has all those things in order, it's a pretty low risk that, with the right strings and a good setup (I can absolutely do that), it'll be a good one. But yes, there are no absolute guarantees, and I can see the OP's point.