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Post subject: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:43 am
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Why do they put bronze round wound strings as standard issue on acoustic electric basses?

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:47 pm
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That's a good question. Why do they?

I just picked up a nice Fender BG29 short scale acoustic bass for $175 on CL, in black, with a hardshell case.

I noticed that the strings seemed "odd" the E and A seemed to be a much heavier gauge then the D/G's. And when plugged in the difference was noticeable. So I checked with the local music store who said I should try flatwounds, but since he was a small shop and in 4 years has never had a customer who asked about acoustic bass strings he didn't have any.

So I shopped around and since I've never tried flatwounds I just didn't want to pony up for a set and went with some bronze acoustic ones. Should be here soon but since you're brought it up I thought this was a good time to discuss.


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:52 am
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I would be very concerned about the high tension of flats, and their effect on an acoustic bass guitar.

Thomastik-Infeld has a nice set of lower tension Jazz Flats that would sound great on a A/E bass. Lively full rich tone, and no roundwound string screech. Plus will last for years vs months for rounds. Also LaBella has just come out with a set of lower tension flats.

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:48 pm
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linnin, I am pretty naïve on strings so didn't know about any increased tension with flatwound strings. I simply chose cheap and bought the bronze ones. Hoping that solves my issue with the string volume out of the pickup being so uneven.


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:15 pm
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Looking around some other boards, I have found bassists that have used flats, and one that used nylons. Not sure about tension, and perhaps they have made an error in making that replacement that will be regretted at some point. I have no clue.

Which is why my original question stands. Why the bronze strings in the first place? Is tension the reason?

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:02 pm
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Lower tension is one reason. Another would be traditional acoustic guitar sound with phosphor-bronze wrap. "Phosphor Bronze was introduced to string making by D'Addario in 1974 and has become synonymous with warm, bright, and well balanced acoustic tone." http://www.daddario.com/DADProductFamily.Page?ActiveID=3768&familyid=21


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:50 pm
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I had a BG-31 for years. Hated the stock strings. Restrung it with a set of the Medium scale Rotosound Tru Bass Black Taped Flatwounds. Sounded killer. Thumpy as all get out and it really helped to bring out the natural reverb of the instrument in the way a bass should and not like a giant guitar. Which is the point of playing them. Now it had frets so it didn't sound like an upright in that sense but if you cut the highs a bit it sure sounded sweet liek one. That would be my string recommendation.

As for the Bronze strings themselves, I hate them even on guitars. I like my acoustic guitars strung with steel strings for that old school early country sound. Gives them a colder tone. Really cool.

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:30 pm
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I also have a BG29(Made in Korea). Christmas of '94 or was it '96? Anyhoo, Stock strings were nickel. When I shopped for new ones, the man said " Bronze would be more audible unplugged " ????
I can't back that claim with any quantum data, but have replaced a few times with bronze now, just cause, I guess.
The store never stocks short scale, always online order.


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:04 pm
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Thanks everyone.

KOP, thanks for your input on the flats. I have found a few guys that have gone to them and like them.

suckatbass, appreciate it. I find when I play the Kingman with an acoustic buddy of mine, I still have to amp a little to keep pace. But the thought that the bronze rounds are for better sound unplugged is new, so thanks.

linnin, you have mention tension. Thanks.

I am actually going to save this thread, when it is done, for future use. Hopefully it is not done yet. Personally, I am not fond of those strings at all, but I figured there has to be a reason they put them on. I hope we can continue to explore this subject for a bit.

Best,
Steve

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:31 pm
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Maybe a Kala U-Bass with their weird rubbery strings. And a Rumble 40 combo, of course! :wink:



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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:01 pm
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This sounds much better! :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:46 am
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Here's some interesting intel from Just Strings.
"
Acoustic bass guitar strings are available in both phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze. Phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings have a warmer, richer tone than 80/20 bronze strings. 80/20 bronze acoustic bass strings are brighter and crisper sounding than phosphor bronze. Most acoustic bass guitar strings are for long (34 inch) scale instruments.

Some acoustic bass players prefer the tone of black nylon tapewound strings, which are available in the electric bass guitar section. Black nylon strings will allow you to get a sound like a double bass from your acoustic bass guitar. Other players prefer to use electric bass guitar strings, rather than acoustic bass strings, on their acoustic bass. These strings, which are either stainless steel or nickel wound, give a brighter tone than bronze wound acoustic bass guitar strings. Players who prefer flatwound strings also opt to use electric flatwound sets on their acoustic bass guitars. Using electric flatwound strings on an acoustic bass guitar is not recommended unless you will be playing with an amplifier, since acoustically, they will sound very dull. If you are changing the strings on your acoustic bass for the first time, you may want to stick with regular acoustic bass guitar strings.

The first acoustic bass guitar produced for sale was the Ernie Ball Earthwood bass, introduced in 1972. Ernie Ball wanted to provide bassists with an instrument that matched the tone of acoustic guitars better than the electric bass. The design of the Earthwood bass was largely based on the Mexican guitarron, the large acoustic bass guitar used in Mariachi bands. The Earthwood was developed jointly between Ernie Ball and George Fullerton of Fender fame. It was much larger (both deeper and wider) than current production acoustic bass guitars, giving it a richer and deeper tone."


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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 2:03 pm
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Very cool article. Thanks.

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Post subject: Re: Kingman and other AE Basses - bronze strings
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 7:27 am
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So I have had the bronze strings on for about a week now. They actually project quite nicely and I'm personally very happy with the tone/volume out of the BG29 acoustically. After a few days of playing the initial "squeakiness" has decreased a lot so that helps too.

One thing I want to mention though, the strap button on the bottom of the body, opposite of the neck, is nothing more then a big peg that must have been glued in, similar to the pegs you insert into an acoustic bridge. I hadn't looked close before but it pulled out over the weekend when playing. Crap design, strap locks installed now.


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