Re: Bass string preferences?

On Jun 19, 9:41 pm, Danny <dannytad...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

When I bought my bass there were strings on it - never changed 'em! I
don't even know what gauge is on there know. I set the intonation up
but I can always do it again with a new gauge.

Yes. The old "the bass came with strings that sounded great but I
can't find out what they are!" problem.

First look at them to determine the type of string. round wounds are
like piano strings and are wound with round wire and are "bumpy" on
the outside. They are the brightest type of string. Have a "piano
string" like quality to them. "Old School" is usually flatwounds.
These are wound on the outside with flat metal tape rather than round
wire. They are the dullest sounding strings. Halfway in between are
"ground wounds" or also called "half rounds". These are round wound
strings that have been ground flat on the outside. You can tell them
because the tape of flat wounds is usually wider than that winding on
the ground wounds even though they are both flat on the outside.

Next you need to determine the gauge. You do this by getting a caliper
or a micrometer (there are cheap chinese or plastic versions out there
or you can borrow one from a friend into mechanics) and measuring the
diameter of each string. Personally I'd recommend forking out the cash
(maybe $20) for a Chinese dial or digital caliper. You'll use it for
years measuring the string diameters of both bass and guitar strings
Go to a string place on the internet and compare the string diameters
to figure out if they are light, medium or heavy.

From then on it's a guess. And you'll probably want to eventually try
several brands over time anyway. A good standard place to start is
always GHS strings. In your case I very strongly second the
recommendation of GHS flats. Maybe not perfect for your taste, but
always good enough!

The other two posts sounded good to me but I'm soaking it all in
first. If you have an idea what might sound the best AND last a long
time, I'd love to hear it. The music I write'record the most is often
like the finger style of James Taylor or Jim Croce and the upbeat side
of it is a bit like Jimmy Buffett or Kenny Chesney. The sound I like
is without doubt a more dead (not twangy at all) sound. I don't know
what gauge I have but I know what I don't want.

See above to measure gauge. Still sounds like you should start with
GHS flats to me. These are not as dull as the flats of the old days.
They sound GOOD! If you still want a bit brighter sound after that
then fork out for some GHS "brite flats" which in spite of the name
are "ground wound" strings. I use them on almost all of my fretless
basses to prevent neck chews but be as bright as possible. Generally I
use GHS flats on my Fender and Fender-clone basses for "old school"
sound.

Also, I know I am a
guitar player and its hard enough for me to reach the notes let alone
smash down a mondo huge think string! There is probably a fine line of
give and take for gauge verses ability to play it well.......

Come on! You are playing BASS now. No need to act clueless anymore.
It's not THAT big of a stretch and you definitely won't be "bending"
bass strings so forget about the fine point of gauge. Just buy what
the freakin' store has in stock and it will usually be fine. The gauge
difference are rather subtle and light gauge strings tend to be
"floppy" which is not a good thing. How different gauges act also
depends on your bass so in the end you aren't going to get out of
EVENTUALLY forking out to try some different things to see how they
work. For now just try to go with the flow. And there is NO "smashing
down of "mondo huge thick strings". Puhlease! IF there is any
"smashing" problems it is on a guitar where you have to "smash down"
some totally contorted finger position to make certain chords. If your
bass action is too high then LOWER it! Back off on your attack and let
the amp do the work. Personally I prefer the dynamic range of a high
action.

I'd like to get strings that last a while too though I think for my
sound, old strings will work fine at least for a fairly long time.

Yes. And flats will last for just about ever. Constantly putting on
new strings if for the round wound guys trying to keep the sound super
bright.

What will be the sound difference between round wound, and all the
others you mentioned. I know there is no substitute for putting the on
and playing but at 35 bucks a pack I'd hate to go through 5 or more
sets in a week just to check them out - not to mention that each time
I really need to set the bass up again.

Rounds are the brightest and most "piano-string" like sounding
strings. Stainless are brightest and Nickel are the "standard" which
are not quite so bright and don't chew frets as much. "SIT" brand
strings are about the brightest of all. These are mostly for a
"modern" sound which you don't want. Next down are GHS "pressure
wound". These are round wound strings that have been run through
rollers to mash them "sorta" flat. Good when you have a fretless you
want as bright as possible without a lot of chews on the neck. Next
down in dullness are ground wounds (GHS Brite Flats) They are flat on
the outside and similar to flat wounds but somewhat brighter in sound.
In the old days when real flat wounds were really dull, I used to
always use these. I still use them to prevent neck chews on my
fretless basses. Next step down is true flatwounds. They are sort of
"stiff" feeling strings and dull but not as dull as you might think.
They are the standard "old school" string and usually perfect for
Fenders and Fender clone basses. Lastly there are nylon tape-wound.
These really feel wonderful to play but the sound can sort of vary. I
really like them on my semi-hollow acoustic bass guitar but I'm not
sure they'd be what you want on say a Fender. You really just have to
try these things to see what floats YOUR boat. But at least you now
know that a set of SIT strings is probably not what you want (even
though G&L basses come with them).

I really appreciate all y'alls time~

Don't mention it. Just remember not to play bass like a guitar
player! :-)

PS. If you get ground wounds, BEFORE you put the strings on the
instrument rub them down with 0000 steel wool to eliminate that
"sticky" feel they have! Keep all steel wool fragments away from the
pickups or you'll have hell to pay getting the steel 'fuzz" off of
them!
.

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