Hi all, I have been playing the bass for almost 30 years. I have used lots of different types of bass strings but some time ago I ended up with swing bass for the rock stuff and thomastic flats for r n b. I m sure there are great new sets out there but time and money being an issue I would love to hear your opinion on your choices.
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What bass strings are you using and why?
- Thread starter Ilias0_7
- Start date
I've got one player bass only (Spector Forte-4x) and after trying about 2 dozen different rounds over the first 5 years, I've for now settled on the Ernie Ball Cobalt Rounds in the 55-110 gauge.
Why? As far as the thickness... I'm a rock bassist, a little heavy handed and quick with a pick, and I don't do much bending (or any slap & pop.) They just feel right on bass... 'less guitarish.'
Soundwise... I think as they mellow down soon enough (some would say "die" early) they sound pleasing to me and relatively even top to bottom. I think they add a nice punchy low mid growl that compliments my Spector's upgraded classic Hazlab Pre.
I strung that bass with Flats exactly once for 3-4 weeks, years ago, but it sounded too dull or something, plus my forming calouses started planning a vacation without my consent
Why? As far as the thickness... I'm a rock bassist, a little heavy handed and quick with a pick, and I don't do much bending (or any slap & pop.) They just feel right on bass... 'less guitarish.'
Soundwise... I think as they mellow down soon enough (some would say "die" early) they sound pleasing to me and relatively even top to bottom. I think they add a nice punchy low mid growl that compliments my Spector's upgraded classic Hazlab Pre.
I strung that bass with Flats exactly once for 3-4 weeks, years ago, but it sounded too dull or something, plus my forming calouses started planning a vacation without my consent
Each bass will be different. My standard string I use are the DiAddario Pro Steels, as they sound great to my ears.
On my fretless Jazz I have an older flatwounds, Diddario Chromes, and after trying many others, that is what sounds best.
On an older P bass with Geezer pickups, I struggled to find the right string for that, but have ended up with Earnie Ball Cobalt Flats.
My Five string Spector like Pro Steels, but my Ibanez and LTD likes Rotosound 66s.
So those are a few I like.
The EB cobalt flats are very interesting, with a broken in RW sound. They really made a p bass come alive, where others didn’t. It very much a pleasing sound. They are worth a try sometime, and I’m a RW guy at heart.
On my fretless Jazz I have an older flatwounds, Diddario Chromes, and after trying many others, that is what sounds best.
On an older P bass with Geezer pickups, I struggled to find the right string for that, but have ended up with Earnie Ball Cobalt Flats.
My Five string Spector like Pro Steels, but my Ibanez and LTD likes Rotosound 66s.
So those are a few I like.
The EB cobalt flats are very interesting, with a broken in RW sound. They really made a p bass come alive, where others didn’t. It very much a pleasing sound. They are worth a try sometime, and I’m a RW guy at heart.
The swing bass ones that Ive been using although bright enough to start with they die pretty fast. Do the cobalts last any longer? As for the flats they are too dark in my opinion for fast picking. I only use them for finger style. As for the Labella flats I know Mecca is a fan of them but never really did much for my taste. I always found them too dull in comparison with the Thomastic ones. Does anyone have any exprerience with the coated ones? Is it worth having them or are they too dull after a week and not worth the extra money? I love a fresh pair of strings but I dont change the rounds more often than once every month or two if I dont have to record anything.
In case anyone is wondering I use 100s on most of my basses and 95s on a Ric and a short scale. Never needed anything with more low thud. Never had a recording engineer asking for more lows either.
In case anyone is wondering I use 100s on most of my basses and 95s on a Ric and a short scale. Never needed anything with more low thud. Never had a recording engineer asking for more lows either.
I have tried lots & keep coming back to DR strings:-
DR Fatbeams or Higbeams for standard tuning & DR Low Riders for dropped tuning - in my case E flat.
To pick an absolute favourite it'd be Fatbeams
DR Fatbeams or Higbeams for standard tuning & DR Low Riders for dropped tuning - in my case E flat.
To pick an absolute favourite it'd be Fatbeams
Both my fretless Sterling and Roscoe Century are strung with EBMM Cobalt flats. To me, they are the closest to a do it all string I've found. If I eventually tire of these I may try some GHS pressurewounds. I remember liking them fondly on a couple basses in the past
GHS Pressurewounds.
Why? They're a perfect blend of what I need (= roundwound tone) and what I want (= smoother feel).
Why? They're a perfect blend of what I need (= roundwound tone) and what I want (= smoother feel).
Nylon tapewounds here, for the sound, feel and longevity of them.
I prefer bright, growling sounds, and I like having a precise and fast attack when playing with a pick, so I haven't found any better for this than hexagonal core stainless steel strings. The ones I'm liking right now are the Ernie Ball Slinky, their sound is amazing and they last a very long time.
These..
The regular light gauge is nice for playability. The nickel round-wound construction makes them bright and twangy enough for me when desired, but I am able to be tame them with the tone knob when I just want thump.
The regular light gauge is nice for playability. The nickel round-wound construction makes them bright and twangy enough for me when desired, but I am able to be tame them with the tone knob when I just want thump.
On my
Jazz - Rotosound 66 because I like the brightness
P - LaBella Deep Talkin Flats because I like the smoothness of the tone
Short Scale - DAddario Chrome Flats - On the recommendation of other TBrs with the same Gretsch. Plenty of low end and good octave tones.
Jazz - Rotosound 66 because I like the brightness
P - LaBella Deep Talkin Flats because I like the smoothness of the tone
Short Scale - DAddario Chrome Flats - On the recommendation of other TBrs with the same Gretsch. Plenty of low end and good octave tones.
Nothing but Fat Beams for the last two years on all my basses.
A smooth feeling SS string which is punchy has hell, retains its brightness and is roundcore for easier playing.
A smooth feeling SS string which is punchy has hell, retains its brightness and is roundcore for easier playing.
I went with the balanced tension superlight set on my Rickenbacker Laredo custom.
They sound Warm with a bit of tone rolloff.
I like DR strings in general, and their roundcore nickel Pure Blues are great.
GHS Pressurewounds on a Jazz Bass and GHS Precision Flats on a P Bass. I tried a lot of strings, and these two are my favorites. Pressurewounds get rid of the clanky highs of roundwounds and deliver more bottom end. Precision Flats give me a very thick flatwound sound. GHS strings just sound thick.
They died a little early for my liking. Good whilst they were still fresh.
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
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Because I play a 5 string and prefer higher tension, stiffer, thicker string, I use Kalium balanced strings (.150-.045). If I still played a 4 string, it would be Jamerson flats.
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