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Post subject: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 6:01 am
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From time to time - and only until a real bass player shows up - I find myself dabbling in the netherworld of the low tones. It's actually a lot of fun so I got myself a used Peavy Millennium on the cheap and a Fender Rumble 75. I like very much the silky smooth feel of the strings that came with the bass. I don't know the gauge or make but I'm told they are flat wound. So for the guitarist who ventures down to the dark side, which bass strings (make/type/gauge) would you recommend for a smooth feel and thump-thump quasi acoustic warm sound?

Thanks and Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 7:59 am
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Hey, Bill.

I imagine Mr. Nylon will chime in here soon and I suspect he will have more specific direction for you than I can provide. I do know the sound you're after but it's the exact opposite of what I am usually after as pertains to bass tone so I can only point you in a general, non-decript direction since I don't make it a habit to study up on that sort of sound. That general direction is, yes, go with flats. Maybe even consider nylon tapes. You will definitely get that warm, dull, thudding tone. Steer clear of round wounds. Steer clear of taper wounds, exposed cores, hex cores, stainless steels, etc. All those things I gravitate towards? You go the other direction. LOL

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:10 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
... I do know the sound you're after but it's the exact opposite of what I am usually after as pertains to bass tone ... All those things I gravitate towards? You go the other direction. LOL
An acquaintance, who is a real bass player, said the exact same thing. He's into EMG active pups with turbo boost thrusters, slap tones, and all the rest. I'm just looking for that smooth, sliding, slippery, round, velvety, quasi upright acoustic bass tone.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:52 am
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Hi BM,
Like you, I just dabble a little in the bottom of the swamp when I get away from my Strats.
For the sound you describe, flatwounds do lend themselves nicely, and hammering and glissing sound a lot smoother too.
I usually go with D'Addario Chromes, GHS, or Fender.
Seem to have the best satisfaction with those,
but I'm sure you'll get some other expert recommendations here, too.
Then I have another bass that I keep roundwounds on,
which sound nice and obnoxious when I'm messing with crazy effects.
Enjoy!
david


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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:23 pm
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I use Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 flatwounds, which are pretty good for that. I've heard the Rotosound Tru 88 black nylon strings are supposed to give you close to an upright bass tone, but I've never tried them because they are a heavy gauge and I typically use light gauge strings. I understand Paul McCartney used those strings on "Abbey Road" according to their website, so if that's the sound you want, then it might work for you. The thing about strings, it seems to be a personal taste thing, for the most part, though. I might like something and someone else doesn't and vice versa.

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:59 pm
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I'm not a bass player, but one thing I've noticed is that some bass players seem to change only one string when it gets dull, where guitar players are more likely to change the entire set, unless we break a string.

Is there some particular reason? Perhaps bass player tend to play more on one string than the others, or perhaps the full bass sets just are that much more expensive? Any of you bass guys do that?


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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:41 pm
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Art, rarely a bass string will break. When that happens I change the one only. I haven't played flat wounds since my Telecaster bass because they were on it around this time in 69 when I bought it. Have fun shopping for bass strings Bluer Monkey.

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2016 11:35 pm
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arth1 wrote:
I'm not a bass player, but one thing I've noticed is that some bass players seem to change only one string when it gets dull, where guitar players are more likely to change the entire set, unless we break a string.

Is there some particular reason? Perhaps bass player tend to play more on one string than the others, or perhaps the full bass sets just are that much more expensive? Any of you bass guys do that?

I have always changed the whole set when I change the strings on my bass. The problem I have is I had a tendency to leave them on way longer than I should. :P

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:49 am
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I have LaBella Flats on currently and like the *thump* they give.

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/La-Bel ... p_219.html

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 7:57 pm
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The D'Addario ETB92 Nylon Tapewounds have never been wrong for me. A good flat string tone, that can have a stand up bass tone also, by settings on the bass amp. The Nylons don't corrode, last a long time, and have a pure thump. The D'Addario Nylons are available in Long, Medium, and Short Scales, and also have 5 string sets. I've played them on a lot of different basses, with no setups required. Nylon gauges, (.50, .65, .85, .105). A good medium set that fits about any standard cut bass nut.

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:33 am
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Flatwounds last many years, and if you are happy with the tone you are getting just leave them on. Cheap and Easy. However an excellent flatwound stringset is Fender's own 9050CL Flats.
http://www.fender.com/accessories/strings/9050-stainless-flatwound-bass-strings/0739050402.html#productsPerRow=3&prefn1=type&prefv1=Long+Scale+Bass&start=1

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:58 pm
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Hey guys, thanks for the input. As always it's very much appreciated.

I bought the bass used so I don't know how long the strings have been on but if bass strings can last for years then they could even be the original set? I wi$h guitar strings would last for years instead of weeks. Another thing I learn about bass strings is that they cost A LOT more than guitar strings. LOL

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 6:22 pm
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Yeah, they do that. I guess the pay off is you don't have to change them as fast as guitar strings, unless you're The Ox, who I believed changed them for every show on tour. :P

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Post subject: Re: Bass strings
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 7:33 pm
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PaulLF wrote:
Yeah, they do that. I guess the pay off is you don't have to change them as fast as guitar strings, unless you're The Ox, who I believed changed them for every show on tour. :P


Yes he did.

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