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Which Strings?

G

George Robinson

May 29, 2020
4
4
#1
First a little background:
I'm a former guitar, banjo, mandolin player. I've owned a bass for many years just never played it. Now, due to a wrist injury, I can no longer play without discomfort. I've found I can play bass much longer without discomfort so I'm converting.

Now my question:
I want some new bass strings but I don't know which to try. I'm thinking of Elixir NanoWeb. Is that a good choice? Something better? Also, what gauge(s) should I start out with?

I will be playing in my church's worship band and maybe some local jamming.

Thanks for your input.
 
#2
George Robinson said:
Now, due to a wrist injury, I can no longer play without discomfort. I've found I can play bass much longer without discomfort so I'm converting.

Now my question:
I want some new bass strings but I don't know which to try. I'm thinking of Elixir NanoWeb. Is that a good choice? Something better? Also, what gauge(s) should I start out with?
Click to expand...

Elixirs are not the most flexible and comfortable strings to play on in terms of stiffness.

I would suggest something a little less stiff for the sake of your injured wrist.

DR Sunbeams 40-100 (NPS roundwound)
DR Pure Blues 40-100 (nickel alloy roundwound)
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels 40-100 (NPS roundwound)
GHS Round Core Boomers 40-95 (NPS roundwound)

By the way, what make/model of bass do you have?
 
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#3
michael_t said:
Elixirs are not the most flexible and comfortable strings to play on in terms of stiffness.

I would suggest something a little less stiff for the sake of your injured wrist.

DR Sunbeams 40-100 (NPS roundwound)
DR Pure Blues 40-100 (nickel alloy roundwound)
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels 40-100 (NPS roundwound)
GHS Round Core Boomers 40-95 (NPS roundwound)

By the way, what make/model of bass do you have?
Click to expand...

Currently I’m playing a Squier P-Bass that I replaced the pickups and pots. I have a Fender Mexican Jazz Bass coming any day now. The Jazz will be my player and I’ll probably sell the Squier.
 
#6
George Robinson said:
I get a lot of string noise when I move my fretting hand and I thought the Elixirs might be quieter. Could be poor technique.
Click to expand...

DR strings I've mentioned, both Pure Blues and Sunbeams, are two of the smoothest-feeling of all rounds I've tried. The way the outer wire is wound with their compression technology results in a finer texture without any coating.
 
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#7
If you play solo at home [with no accompanying music] or/and record a lot; String noise can be annoying. Not a Problem Live or playing along with CD/Streamed Music.

La Bella low tension flats or TI Flats might be worth looking at; no string noise and not stiff like many flats.
The nano web [as opposed to other coating] Elixirs have been designed to allow some[but reduced] string noise for Guitars not sure on Bass strings
 
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#8
Nebadon2000 said:
If you play solo at home [with no accompanying music] or/and record a lot; String noise can be annoying. Not a Problem Live or playing along with CD/Streamed Music.

La Bella low tension flats or TI Flats might be worth looking at; no string noise and not stiff like many flats.
The nano web [as opposed to other coating] Elixirs have been designed to allow some[but reduced] string noise for Guitars not sure on Bass strings
Click to expand...

This is accurate. Go with flats.
 
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#9
George Robinson said:
I get a lot of string noise when I move my fretting hand and I thought the Elixirs might be quieter. Could be poor technique.
Click to expand...

When I started playing in church regularly seven years ago, I was bothered by the finger noise that came with playing rounds. So, I started experimenting with flats in order to deal with my problem, only to realize I lost the tonal versatility I needed for the contemporary style of worship music I was playing. I've come a full circle and now back with rounds.

What style of church music do you play? Traditional or contemporary? If traditional, then flats might work for you, but I still think you would be better off starting out with a set of all-purpose nickel rounds to see how they would meet your tonal needs first before experimenting with flats.

Just a suggestion based on my own experience... ;)
 
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#10
michael_t said:
When I started playing in church regularly seven years ago, I was bothered by the finger noise that came with playing rounds. So, I started experimenting with flats in order to deal with my problem, only to realize I lost the tonal versatility I needed for the contemporary style of worship music I was playing. I've come a full circle and now back with rounds.

What style of church music do you play? Traditional or contemporary? If traditional, then flats might work for you, but I still think you would be better off starting out with a set of all-purpose nickel rounds to see how they would meet your tonal needs first before experimenting with flats.

Just a suggestion based on my own experience... ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks for all your input. I play contemporary Christian. Pretty new to it as I was playing banjo in a bluegrass gospel band up until about 6 months ago. Quite a change but I’m lovin’ it. I just ordered a set of DR PB-40s.
 
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#11
George Robinson said:
Thanks for all your input. I play contemporary Christian. Pretty new to it as I was playing banjo in a bluegrass gospel band up until about 6 months ago. Quite a change but I’m lovin’ it. I just ordered a set of DR PB-40s.
Click to expand...

I played guitar and mandolin in my younger days. Then got away from playing music entirely for 20 yrs. Then eleven years ago, I decided to take up the bass for the first time at age 52. It's been a great journey and I don't intend to slow down anytime soon.
 
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#12
so far i have found GHS Pressuewounds lites ... to be comfy for both hands ... i have arthritis from playing piano since 1963 , gtr/bass since early 70's ...

lightest gauges , low tension , round core ... seem to make things easier ..

i have a set of Thomastik Jazz Rounds coming ,... which are supposed to be very flexible ..!?? we'll soon see

have Ti flats on 1 bass ... they are easy on fretting hand , still feel weird and harder for picking hand ..??

even have a set of Ti plectrums waiting to go on my acoustic gtr ... just trying to save some finger pain ..!
 
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#13
I'll +1 DR Sunbeams.

-They're smooth to the touch and don't produce much (if any) fret noise or "squeak."
-They're round-core strings so they have a more flexible feel.
-They are nickel-plated roundwounds. Nickel/nickel-plated strings tend to produce less fret noise than stainless steel strings and have a warmer tone.

I personally found Sunbeams too spongy feeling for my tastes, but I think they'll suit the OP very well.

GHS Balanced Nickels might be a good option too. I've yet to try those, though. On paper, those seem to fit the bill for what the OP needs and people on this forum seem to really like them.

I notice the OP will be trying out some Pure Blues. Great strings as well. But, yeah, I'd recommend Sunbeams and Balanced Nickels on the try it list.
 
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#16
My main strings for years were the tried and true D'Addario EXL 156 Nickels. Good all around bright nickels that mellow out after a couple a weeks of playing and are pretty dead after a good month but cheap and easy to work with.
I then moved to Dunlop Super Bright nickels cause I wanted something a little lower tension but still bright which they are. Very similar to D'Addario. Bright but don't last too long.
I started experimenting with DR.
Hi Beams- Stainless, very bright but not harsh. Fairly low tension. Last for a looong time. Really good for slapping which I do a little bit off.
Low Rider nickels- Stainless, bright but not as bright as the Hi Beams, less Hi Mids, and a very focused string. Stiffer but you can get the action a little lower. Not as good for slap as the others but still workable. I've had these for a week and they are finally breaking in. These will probably last a long time too,
All strings tried on a passive Jazz bass. 45-105 gauge.
I would go right for the Hi Beams.
 
#19
I’d hang on to that Squier p you have. You’ll find conventional wisdom on TB would demand you own at least one p and one j. I won’t disagree.

I’m a fairly recent covert to Thomastik-Infield Jazz Flats . I have a variety of basses strung with a myraid of strings but I can’t recommend these any higher. I think you’ll find them comfortable to play, love the tone and get many years of use out of a set.
 
Last edited:
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#20
George Robinson said:
First a little background:
I'm a former guitar, banjo, mandolin player. I've owned a bass for many years just never played it. Now, due to a wrist injury, I can no longer play without discomfort. I've found I can play bass much longer without discomfort so I'm converting.

Now my question:
I want some new bass strings but I don't know which to try. I'm thinking of Elixir NanoWeb. Is that a good choice? Something better? Also, what gauge(s) should I start out with?

I will be playing in my church's worship band and maybe some local jamming.

Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...
Elixir nano nickles...always. there is nothing better. I just took off my 80 dollar gold strings, and put my elixirs on instead. (Sigh) there it is. feel and tone. Plus, they last forever, and they're only about 40 bucks.
 

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