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Which strings to get?

G

GSMBass

Oct 24, 2013
233
129
#1
Hello guys,
I am a new bass player, and I have played my bass guitar for like 4 months now. It was bought second-hand, so the strings on it are like a year old, to say the least. They already feel kind of worn out, so I was thinking about replacing them. So... I have no idea about strings. I know how to re-string a bass, but have no idea as far as dimensions are concerned, nor I know the materials (example: .040 - .060 - .075 - .095).
I have a Yamaha RBX270, it is 34'' scale, and that is pretty much all I can tell about it. So... What do those dimesions mean, and what should I get?
Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Also take into consideration that I, from time to time, drop-tune it half-step down, so I would like the new strings, if possible, to not be too flabby :)
 
#2
Your yamaha is 34" scale, not 24".

The dimensions you mention are the string gauge. The thickness of each string.

40-95 is a fairly light set, which means they're looser, and easier to slap on. Often easier to play faster on for most people. They require a bit higher action to avoid buzzing.

I don't know what's available to you in Serbia, but if you're occasionally drop tuning, the 95 sting is a bit too light for that. You may want to try a 45-105 set.
 
#3
Welcome aboard!

First, the scale of your bass is measured from the nut to the bridge, so your instrument is actually a standard 34" scale (it has 24 frets). This is important as there are many types of strings that are made for 34" instruments, 32" instruments (medium scale), 30" instruments (short scale), etc..

That said, probably a good all-around starter set of strings would be a nickel-plated steel string, which would be GHS Boomers, D'Addario XL, DR Nickel Lo-Riders, so on and so forth. Those sets are "basic" enough to give you a good start to find out what you prefer, what feels best, and how strings sound. From there you can use that as a base to gauge what other strings do.

As far as gauges go, I would probably recommend starting with a medium gauge (traditionally 45-65-85-105) for the aforementioned reasons, but also for retaining good tension when only drop-tuning a half-step.

Good luck!
 
#5
hi .....question often asked: what style of music do you like and want to play?.

...having asked that, I have the exact model Yamaha...after a year of playing the stock rounds, for fun I replaced my strings with D'Addario XL 1/2 rounds.....just love them..I get any tone I like, low, warm to crisp and bright by using bass and amp EQ settings

...pretty sure yours is a 34" scale length bass, so make sure you don't say 24 at the store and they give you short scale strings, you need "lomg scale" length.
...D'Addario's are very popular, well loved and reasonable for beginners...Regular Light gauge is fine.......I put Fender 9050 Flat wound strings on my Fender Jazz..also a great set of strings, feel and tone .......you will get lots of opinions here for sure and this is a great thread for getting good information
bassstringsonline.com is a good place to see almost all string manufacturers and the different types they have(great service too!) and lots of them have reviews for each brand/model
 
#6
Thanks, edencab! I am not really set on one genre, but currently I play blues with a band I'm in. And also, I just mistyped the 2 instead of 3, but you guys got what I meant ;)
So, are these what I'm looking for? Took me some time to find them :)
Invalid Link Removed

They are 28 USD here in Serbia... A bit much for our standards, but I'll manage :)
 

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