what strings to use on Ampeg '67 AMUB-1?

[1975Bassist]

I know that players of the AMPEG AUB/AMUB-1 often recommend D'Addario Chromes. Wondering other strings players use, particularly if one is looking for a more upright sound?

 

[michael_t]

I know that players of the AMPEG AUB/AMUB-1 often recommend D'Addario Chromes. Wondering other strings players use, particularly if one is looking for a more upright sound?

You might want to try the GHS Tapewound for the upright-ish tone you're looking for. Unlike most tapewounds, they're flatwound under the tape, specifically designed for a darker, thumpier tone.

Products - TAPEWOUND - GHS Strings

 

[Randy Ward]

I have an old set of upright strings my teacher gave me cut diwn on mine. How about a set of D'Addario NS Design electric upright Traditional mediums? They are upright strings a little shorter than standard strings. The strings for the NS Omni bass might work well and are cheaper because the Ampeg is 34 1/2 inch scale, Omni is 34. BTW the tailpeice on the Ampeg can handle the large ball ends of upright strings.

 

[1975Bassist]

Thanks for the logical and experience based suggestions. I've spent a boatload on bass strings trying to find "my tone." Will buy both and test them out. Tried Thomastik's but no double bass sounds on my Ampeg. Let you know what I find out.
thanks again
RFH.

 

[JimmyM]

You're never going to get it to sound just like an upright. But they can get a kinda sorta similar vibe. The guy to ask is Bruce Johnson, who's the world's foremost expert on those basses.

 

[1975Bassist]

You're never going to get it to sound just like an upright. But they can get a kinda sorta similar vibe. The guy to ask is Bruce Johnson, who's the world's foremost expert on those basses.

I did, but no response so far (it's been over a week).

 

[JimmyM]

I did, but no response so far (it's been over a week).

Well I know he's slammed, plus dealing with health issues, so that may curtail his output on here.

 

[Haroldo]

Have you tried this forum? love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses, Part 2

 

[sunbeast]

You're never going to get it to sound just like an upright. But they can get a kinda sorta similar vibe. The guy to ask is Bruce Johnson, who's the world's foremost expert on those basses.

Back when I had one of the AUB-1 basses Bruce recommended Chromes both for balanced tone and because they fit the longer scale/extended tailpiece design well. I really dug Chromes on that bass!

 

[sunbeast]

Also on that note- Bruce Johnson is a hell of a nice and helpful guy and obviously THE resource on these basses. I picked up my AUB-1 as a young punk visiting NYC in the 90s having never even seen one before (or ever having played a fretless) and fell in love at first sight (pretty much emptied my bank account to buy it- would probably be 5x as much today I’m a similar vintage shop!). This was pre-Talkbass, but I came across Bruce’s posts/pages on the net and emailed him to get tips on a weak pickup and tons of other questions and he wrote back TONS of great info with no money to gain from the conversation (it was just a side hobby for him then). He said they used to get custom LaBella sets made for owners of these, and I think I did originally get a set of those from him but that he started using the Chromes after some issue with the LaBella orders (maybe just time vs price, can’t remember).

Selling my AUB-1 was the dumbest gear choice I’ve ever made bar none...