What string are you using on your 60s-type Jazz?

[MIMike]

I have three basses that fit that description; my 65’ has Optima Golds, my 83’ AVRI (defretted) has D’Addario nickel XLs, my Squier CV has D’Addario Chromes.

 

[Brich]

SS or nickel, fretboard has SS frets. I like it bright

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’m not a flat fan, I also don’y have a JB. I have a PJ and if you are looking at hex core rounds. SunBeams too zoning, DR Lo Riders might be a good alternative.

 

[devnulljp]

DR Stainless steel on my 65 Jazz

 

[2F/2F]

I have two AV '64s. One has .110 LaBella DTBs (a thoroughly old school string). The other has EB Cobalt flats (a thoroughly modern string).

I have a home assembled "Parallel Universe '58 Jazz Bass." Single pickup, one piece maple neck, single piece aluminum guard. I have had Pyramid Gold flats on that bass from the start (also a thoroughly old school string).

I also have a home assembled J with a pair of Dual Sound DiMarzio Model Js, and permanent series wiring with independent volumes. That bass has 44-106 GHS Pressurewounds on it (about the closest I get to using roundwounds).

 

[sxaxsx]

I have Fender 9050L flats on Highway One Jazz so I put "modern" flats because I guess they are most like Chromes on that list.

 

[JazzyJacuzzi]

Had the bass actually been made in 64, it would’ve came with strings similar to the GHS Precisions, is that so? Why did so many people swapped them for La Bella?

 

[arbiterusa]

Rotosound RS66LF.

 

[Doug4321]

Yes, another for Rotosound swings. Seems really nice on a Jazz. Growl for rock, slap, Entwistle, Lee vibes. No round I’ve tried has more character.

That said, the nickel rounds it comes with would be fine, if a bit vanilla, for just about everything.

I tried Rotosound flats, and Chromes, and those didn’t work well at all with the Jazz sound. Weird overtones. But I think La Bella LTF might, nice mid focused, plunky double bass like tone could go well with the clarity of a Jazz?

 

[Wilbyman]

R. Cocco steel round wounds for me.

 

[ELG60]

Most of my Jazz basses, regardless (irregardless?) of era, are equipped with TI flats or rounds, or Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on several of them.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

EB Cobalt Flats (on my Flea - my current favorite combination)
Chromes 60th Anniv Jazz
Lo Riders (nickel) Squier CV 60s
Pressure Wounds '66/7 (my longtime #1 that wore boomers for 30+ years)
Labellas or currently GHS precision on the '66
Hi Beams on the Jaco, but EB Cobalt flats for the last gig. (literally the "last" gig for the foreseeable future)

 

[oren]

I have flats on most of my basses, but my ‘68 Jazz is currently wearing Pure Blues (medium) and I like them pretty well. My fretless (Sire) has TI flats on it.

 

[Lammchop93]

DR Pure Blues here. I LOVE them on my Jazz and P basses. I use Hi-Beams on all my more "modern" sounding basses.

 

[funkinbottom]

Been using Fender flats on my Jazz for as long as I can remember. Currently strung with Fender 9050's.

 

[littlebun]

What string are you using on your 60s-type Jazz: four strings, passive, rosewood fretboard and 60s pickup spacing?

Swing Bass steels 45 65 80 105 as used by Entwistle, Jaco, JPJ, etc... Can't go wrong with this classic setup, plus the flexibility is great.

 

[TNCreature]

DR Nickel Lo-Riders on mine. So flexible, great feel, nice even tone.

 

[Yahboy]

Have a nice Cobalt flat 2814 on my Bacchus Jazz bass ( VTB-ST pup and .1uf cap) currently.
Easily cut in the mix , wide open tone pot, i can get bite , juicy growl . Dial back about 30%, meaty punchy growl and dial back 60% , i can get old school P vibe like tone on neck pup solo and Jaco vibe on Bridge pup.

The E string still stay healthy and maintain the clarity even a years old. The whole set still has nice string to string tone balance.

This modern voice flatwound are pretty flexible on tone tweak with .1uf or .068uf cap.

If i able own another jazz bass, either Dunlop SBN 45-100 , DR Sunbeam 45-100 or my drawer new old stock Pre-mexico 7150XL are first choice.

But, all the E string from them will get dull faster than Ernie ball Cobalt flat.

 

[ColdEye]

Pyramid Gold.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Had the bass actually been made in 64, it would’ve came with strings similar to the GHS Precisions, is that so? Why did so many people swapped them for La Bella?

vintage fender basses came with flatwounds (usually F80's or F80L's). not sure anout the early 60's ones, but i do know that my the '69 p bass that i bought brand new in december of '69 came with F80L's on it from the factory, and the string gauges were .045-.095. a friend of mine had a 100% original '63 fiesta red p bass complete with original strings on it, and the were exactly like my '69's. they had turquoise silk on them at both ends.

So the closest in today's strings would be GHS Precision Flats or La Bella DTF.