lm wanting to find a set of strings l can bend notes on the G and D strings?
Years ago l used Labella black strings.
Years ago l used Labella black strings.
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What are good strings for bending notes
- Thread starter Glenn Taylor
- Start date
Well if you like LaBella might as well try the RX roundwounds. Other strings that feel close in terms of stiffness would be dean Markley blue steel, sit power wounds or power steel, or sit foundations, Dunlop super brights, and a few others I can't think of at the moment. DR fat beams or hi beams are flexible too. There's quite a lot of strings and most of them are good with bends. Even a few flats you can bend on.
As a matter of fact, it depends. High tension, big-gauge strings aren't your friend regardless, but
1) if you aim to do micro-bends, for expressive purposes, flexible strings are a good choice. Round-core strings, small-core strings, Dogal Hellborg rope-cores. However,
2) if you want to be able to do bends with specific targets - especially whole-step bends - you need low-tension strings that aren't especially flexible, because it takes more bending and ultimately more effort to reach a whole tone when you bend a flexible string.
(Ever tried playing blues licks on a classical guitar? Bending takes forever with nylon strings, which illustrates my point.)
If your goal is this second type, go for hex-core strings, even flats if you like them. Just make sure they're light-gauge. And no, 065 is *not* light. Your D had best be a 060, or even a 055.
1) if you aim to do micro-bends, for expressive purposes, flexible strings are a good choice. Round-core strings, small-core strings, Dogal Hellborg rope-cores. However,
2) if you want to be able to do bends with specific targets - especially whole-step bends - you need low-tension strings that aren't especially flexible, because it takes more bending and ultimately more effort to reach a whole tone when you bend a flexible string.
(Ever tried playing blues licks on a classical guitar? Bending takes forever with nylon strings, which illustrates my point.)
If your goal is this second type, go for hex-core strings, even flats if you like them. Just make sure they're light-gauge. And no, 065 is *not* light. Your D had best be a 060, or even a 055.
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Before changing strings, try to tune down with current set, that may work for you.
TI Jazz Rounds are incredibly supple. As are any of the La Bella nylon tape wound sets.
Or you could just play Fretless and leave bending to the guitar players *ducks and runs for cover*
Go a gauge lighter that whatever string gauge you are currently using, and you will be in bend heaven 
This is great advice! I never thought of it this way, but it makes good sense.
If you really want flexibility, try some Funkmasters or 90-30 DR HiBeams
I love the sound and feel of the Slinky-Cobalts.
As for bending, they already bend if you even think about bending.
As for bending, they already bend if you even think about bending.
Don't have anything to added about what is easiest to bend, I play upright bass with a relatively high action, all electric bass strings are pretty bendable for me, I definitely enjoy bending notes on my jazz bass with Rotosound Roundwounds (though I use the MED Heavy gage though, you'd might want to go lighter). Like I feel this is a hard question to answer because everyones feel and strength is different
Whatever strings you like now, but lighter gauge. Especially the D string, most string sets have a much higher tension D string as compared to the rest of the strings.
this was never an issue personally, but for many yrs i used GHS bass boomers really thick ones, forget the gauge the D/G were stiff af! but now i use Roto 66's exclusively. Imo the thinner strings let you hear the bend with more clarity..bass is easier to play especially bends.
