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Post subject: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:18 am
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Hey guys,

I got inspired by the Bass Strings thread, and was wondering if someone could enlighten me a little.

I played bass eons ago, when I was young and flat broke, and changing strings was only a bother and a costly necessity back then. So it was the original strings until they couldn't last anymore and then the cheapest set from then on.

Through the years, I have tried a bass here and there, and a year ago I settled on an ESP bass. Stupid. I should already back then have settled for a Fender, which I am now waiting for. :)

Anyhoo - my question:
In my little ventures checking out people's basses through the years, I have come across some with very "smooth" strings, where you really can't feel that they're wound. I really like the feel of them, and I love that they're not as noisy, when I move my fingers across them.
Is there a special name for these, is the tone in them different from "normal" strings? Is there a reason to NOT change into these?
I play classic rock (think CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana etc.) and hard rock (think AC/DC, Kiss etc.). Would this be horrible in this setup?

I realize - as mentioned in the other thread - that this is topic where EVERYONE has an opinion, and that they're all over the place. I am just looking for a little enlightenment before I go buy strings I can potentially NOT use for anything.

Oh, and also, I am getting an American Deluxe Jazz V, and I am planning on (re)stringing it through body. Does this take a longer string or anything like that, in case I order before I get the bass? What's your preference in stringing it? Is there a sound difference?

Please help a n00b to learn EVERYTHING about his coming love... :)

Rock on!
Keld.


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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:05 am
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The "slicker" strings that make "less noise" are flatwound strings. Instead of having round wire as wrapping they have a flat almost ribbon like wrapping. Although not my choice of string alot of players swear by them.

They seem like they would work well for the genres that you are playing. Cliff Williams of AC/DC uses flats, as does Steve Harris of Iron Maiden. Alot of the classic rock guys from the sixties and seventies used them as well because in the 60's there really wasn't a choice.

As for needing to change them that is a matter of personal preference. James Jamerson used the same set of La Bella flat's his entire career.

For stringing through the body I'd recommend long scale strings because you are adding the thickness of the body into the scale length (the distance from bridge to nut).

I got my new Fender a couple of months ago and still haven't gotten around to changing strings so right now it is strung through the body and I like it. I think I'll continue to do so. I'm sure there is a difference but I haven't changed the stringing to be able to tell you.

These are just my opinions and the facts I based my opinions on. I'd just say experiment and find out what is right for you.

Stay Brown,
Rev J


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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:16 pm
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Rev J wrote:
I got my new Fender a couple of months ago and still haven't gotten around to changing strings so right now it is strung through the body and I like it. I think I'll continue to do so. I'm sure there is a difference but I haven't changed the stringing to be able to tell you.


That's very interesting. I would really like to hear more about the difference in sound from through-body vs. not. My not-scientific W.A.G. would be that through-body would really lighlight the strength or weakness (in terms of sound) of the body.

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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:34 pm
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The Labella Deep Talking Flats (760M set Jamerson, Dunn & others used for one) do not like body through stringing. Only use them in a top load bridge-through setup, not body through. Other flats work fine for body through. The Steve Harris set from Rotosound (SH77) are pretty beefy running .050 to .110 gauge.

You might get more versatility with a lighter set. I like the light GHS 3025 Precision set as when fresh you can actually get funk sounds and even when aged they are decent for classic rock, pop etc. The "E" 4th string seems to go dead first on this set and is a good barometer of when you need a string change. That takes about 18 months.

That is correct, Jamerson never changed strings unless one broke. True.

Lots of people love Labella 760M's. I used them from about 69 to 73. My preferred string which I keep on my number 1 are rounds are Thomastik-Infeld EB344 PowerBass which I consider the best string for really rocking out. But I keep various flats on three other basses. Each string will have it's own character and playability. The trick is to find the right set for you and your instrument and then stick to it.

I don't see any reason you shouldn't try flats, but I'd start with a lighter smaller gauge set at first as you'll find them more versatile and easier to play and get used to. Then perhaps next time try a larger gauge set. When I went back to using some flats I started out on the GHS 3025's and worked up to larger strings. I also use the Thomastik-Infeld JF344's and while they are an amazingly good all around string they don't have the vintage thump commonly associated with flats. For that I use two of the GHS Precision sets. GHS 3025 and GHS 3050 REGULAR. The 3050 Regulars are sort of hard to find as they are the largest flats GHS makes and have a real vintage thump to them after they age a couple of months. They aren't right for everything, but for vintage R&B they are real close in sound to the Labella 760M for much less cash.

I should point out that no music store within my circle of travel carries any of the strings I use and I either wind up ordering them from string specialty dealers online or on eBay.


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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:51 pm
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Strings are a preference issue,what tone do YOU like,what sound are YOU trying to get ETC....Go to your local music store and play a bunch or one better,there's a few video's on you-tube whre a good playing young fellow does a A/B with both types of strings on both a p-bass ans a jazzbass,first flat wounds on the bass,then roundwounds on the same bass which he does for a jazz and a p-bass :idea: gives a good one to one comparrison between the two types,then go from there.
:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:02 pm
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I've had the same set of strings on my Squier J since 1991, and they don't sound that bad.

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Post subject: Re: Bass Strings - Revised question (Classic Rock/Hard Rock)
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:20 pm
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Thanks, everyone, for your input. You've definitely given me something to think about.

And you're absolutely right, it IS a personal preference. I wanna try to get my own sound, within reason, and I have a pretty clear idea in my head of how that sound it. But it's next to impossible to explain. Punchy, distinctive, clear to not down between drums and two guitars, deep put not rumbling. But then, when I read back what I wrote - it doesn't sound what I'm looking for. It's hard to find words to describe a certain feel, isn't it?

I will definitely use all your advice, and study videos etc.

Thanks! :)


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