Bass strings

[smaz]

Anyone got any recommendations on bass strings? With all the different makes, sizes & types I'm reluctant to buy any (I'm still using ones that are about 3 years old) as the last ones I bought, I really didn't like - so much so, I don't play the bass I put them on. I really like the strings that came on my Jazz bass, if anyone knows what strings they stick on new fenders.

I'm after something for easy playing, more then the meaty sound of thicker strings. The strings I didn't like are Rotosound, I think. The coils are quite thick, not sure if round/flat/groundwound though. I like the tighter coils on my jazz, strings seem more flexible.




Oh, and rather than start a new thread - if I was to get a new bass, which would be more interesting to play with - fretless or an acoustic?

[BrownSound1]

I'll be honest here...the only way you're going to figure out what strings you like best is through trial and error. What I like could be totally different than what you like. Try as many different types as you can and you'll eventually find something. This is what we all had to do.

[Nitro Express]

I like Dean Markley stirngs. If you are going to play fretless bass you better have a good ear or you will sound out of pitch most the time.

[DeadOrAlive]

I'm sorry, I'm quite fond of the Rotosound "Rotowound" strings. They're wonderful, the Long Scale medium gauge strings. Man you can play that fucker with ease. Age is really rough on them though, but it takes a long time for them to age.

[Nitro Express]

Originally posted by DeadOrAlive
I'm sorry, I'm quite fond of the Rotosound "Rotowound" strings. They're wonderful, the Long Scale medium gauge strings. Man you can play that fucker with ease. Age is really rough on them though, but it takes a long time for them to age.

I like those same stings on my Spector but on my Jack Cassady I have to use Dean Markley because the old style Gibson bridge needs short silk wrap or it's over the saddle. I use nothing but roundwounds.

You get a punchier sound but you can go for flat wounds. They play nice but don't have the output roundwounds have.

[DrMaddVibe]

It depends on the bass that I'm playing.

I've got everything from rotosounds, D'Addario XL nickel wounds to Black Diamond stainless. Depends on the sound I want and the guitar that can give it to me.

[Hardrock69]

I normally use Blue Steel, but they were out at my local guitar shop the other week, so I used some D'Addario Nickel Round Wounds.

I dig them too.

But yeah...it is a trial and error thing.

There are a few brands you can't go wrong with like D'Adarrio, Dean Markley, etc.

[Nitro Express]

I'm really not that string brand picky. I think all the top name brands are good. If you are alergic to nickel use stainless. If you want to waste your money use gold plated ones.

I have Fender, Gibson, and Ernie Ball strings on three of my guitars and all sets have been played in and broken in. Can I tell what brand is on each guitar? Hell no. They all are nickel wound .009-.042 and all sound good. I just buy in bulk what I can get on sale now. For original Strat bridges I do like them bullet ends and those strings are always inexpensive. :D