Bass strings

It wasn't me!

Looking for something with a little less buzz than I'm currently using and preferably a little nicer on the fingers. I believe I've currently got Rotosound Roundwounds on.

Dord

For less buzz I'd advise a setup on your bass!

Seriously though, you need some flatwound strings. I'd advise D'addario Chromes. You put them on and don't take them off. They get better with age.

It wasn't me!

Some day I will set that ****er up, but probably not tomorrow. I haven't set it up since I got it, and frankly, it doesn't need it, strings just make a bit more noise than they did when new. Warwick are awesome, mine came from California, took two weeks, and arrived perfectly set up and in tune. Doesn't get much more rocktastic than that. I shall have a look for those though. Any other recommendations?

Dord

I've got a set of Rotosound flats on my fretless P. I got them in Musicmaker. Nice strings.

unclebill98

Joe Robot wrote: »

I've got a set of Rotosound flats on my fretless P. I got them in Musicmaker. Nice strings.

Yes, for Flats Rotosound do make a very nice set... so +1 on them:)

Rigsby

I use TI (Thomastick/Infeld) jazz flats and I love them. They have a nice smooth feel and give a nice woody tone. They have very low tension though, which is not to everyone's taste. TI's are fairly expensive but worth it IMO as they last a long time ( some people have had a set on for ten years or more :eek: ) Like fine wine - they improve with age.

It wasn't me!

Got a set of Rotosound flats, and they seem lovely, but due to a cock-up in stringing, I screwed up one of the strings, so have to either find somewhere selling singles or buy a new pack. Feck-ups while restringing basses are expensive mistakes.

unclebill98

I got 2 A strings in a set before. Called Rotosound, very nice people and they sent me out a free set for my troubles..

It wasn't me!

yeah, but this is my own cock-up.

unclebill98

Ah well....

Passenger

Ernie Ball has quiet nice bass strings, certainly worth looking into, they have a nice comfortable feel compared to some.

Yap Stam

Every now again I purchase a different set of strings that I haven't seen before, a few years ago when I started playing the bass seriously I tried loads of different types. Heres a few different things that I've noticed;

You know all the gauge size numbers on the side of the box? ignore them- if you purchse different string brands you'll soon notice that what one company will call a 90 another company will call a 85. Use them as a rough guide- they're not exact by any means.

Rotosound strings- these are really good for classic rock sort of stuff and also for vintage sounding soul and blues, you can't slap or play really fast trashy stuff with these strings, they're designed to hold a note for a long time. However, at EUR 25.00 they are considerably cheaper than other strings on the market.

D'iarrio strings- They pack their strings in 'air-tight lock seal bags'- and it doesn't make a blind bit of difference, but if you ask me they're chrome and regular light gauge strings are the best of they're kind, very good for crazy/fast/complicated stuff- good for metal/hard rock. EUR. 40.00 approx.

Ernie Ball- my personal favourite, very good for slap- i use they're heavy ones (they come in a dark purple packet), they can be a cvnt to find, but well worth it- these ernie ball strings are the best all-purpose strings on the market (or at least in dublin anyway). EUR 45.00 approx- yes they're a bit pricey, but they do last much longer.

Elixir - I don't see the elixir bass strings around much anymore, they first cropped up in the shops about 3/4 years ago- they cost EUR 50.00! So they were much better right? Wrong- they were about as good as the other brands, never really got the fuss about these strings. At times I thought they vibrated and bounced too much, they were almost too perfect.

Thompson- I haven't seen these around for a while, they were fvckin awful, but they cost EUR15.00!!! I had never seen proper red/brown rust form on a string in the space of a few weeks before, they were so crap, I had to take them off before they damaged my bass.

Be Warned- really light bass strings (what the Americans call 'candy floss'); they sound great when you're playing away to yourself, but that all changes when you go to record with it- there is no thump whatsoever, it sounds totally sh1te- so get into the habit of using heavy/medium strings.

Dord

Yap Stam wrote: »

Every now again I purchase a different set of strings that I haven't seen before, a few years ago when I started playing the bass seriously I tried loads of different types. Heres a few different things that I've noticed;

You know all the gauge size numbers on the side of the box? ignore them- if you purchse different string brands you'll soon notice that what one company will call a 90 another company will call a 85. Use them as a rough guide- they're not exact by any means.

Rotosound strings- these are really good for classic rock sort of stuff and also for vintage sounding soul and blues, you can't slap or play really fast trashy stuff with these strings, they're designed to hold a note for a long time. However, at EUR 25.00 they are considerably cheaper than other strings on the market.

One of my basses, an Aria Pro II SB1000CB has a set of Rotosound Nickel/Steel 0.045-0.105 strings and I have no problems slapping on it. I think they give a good rock tone, but all round they're pretty good.

D'iarrio strings- They pack their strings in 'air-tight lock seal bags'- and it doesn't make a blind bit of difference, but if you ask me they're chrome and regular light gauge strings are the best of they're kind, very good for crazy/fast/complicated stuff- good for metal/hard rock. EUR. 40.00 approx.
If you're paying 40euro for D'addario you're being ripped off! The general price here in Ireland is anywhere from 20 to 30 euro.

Ernie Ball- my personal favourite, very good for slap- i use they're heavy ones (they come in a dark purple packet), they can be a cvnt to find, but well worth it- these ernie ball strings are the best all-purpose strings on the market (or at least in dublin anyway). EUR 45.00 approx- yes they're a bit pricey, but they do last much longer. I don't know where the hell you're buying these strings but you're getting ripped on them.

Elixir - I don't see the elixir bass strings around much anymore, they first cropped up in the shops about 3/4 years ago- they cost EUR 50.00! So they were much better right? Wrong- they were about as good as the other brands, never really got the fuss about these strings. At times I thought they vibrated and bounced too much, they were almost too perfect.
I've heard Elixir's are good, easy to get in Dublin. Pretty much every shop carries them. Only bad thing I've heard is that they have a tendency to peel if you play with a pick, so they're mainly suitable for fingerstyle. This is just what I've heard from talking to other players about them.

Thompson- I haven't seen these around for a while, they were fvckin awful, but they cost EUR15.00!!! I had never seen proper red/brown rust form on a string in the space of a few weeks before, they were so crap, I had to take them off before they damaged my bass.

Be Warned- really light bass strings (what the Americans call 'candy floss'); they sound great when you're playing away to yourself, but that all changes when you go to record with it- there is no thump whatsoever, it sounds totally sh1te- so get into the habit of using heavy/medium strings.
I've played using light guage strings before, and recorded with them. I had no issues with lack of lows.

I put some comments above in bold.
:rolleyes:

unclebill98

My 2 cent.

I've used all the above strings Yep Stem mention. I guess i am just a MM fan but Ernie Ball Super Slinkys are by far the best strings I've ever played. Feel great, savage tone and they last very long if your not into changing your strings alot. You can get them very cheap on the web compared to the irish prices. I do change my strings every 4/5 gigs or so, depending on how sweaty i get. Also wiping you bass after every gig helps to.

My only other advice is to steer clear of cheap strings. The play horrid and dont last long at all. I used to boil strings to enjoy a longer life but thats not for everyone.

Dord

My favourite strings at the moment are Optima (formerly Maxima) Gold strings. Amazing tone out of them, a bit pricier than the rest but well worth it and seem to retain their new string sound for much longer.

SxE Punk

I always go for D'Addario XL nickel wound, .35-.95s. To me they offer great sound, easy playability, affordable price and good longevity. Rarely needs retuning either.

If you're getting a buzz, adjust the action and use thinner strings.