Bass strings and Nuts

studiorat · 25-08-2008 12:34PM #1

Hi,
I'm playing an old G+L el toro bass. The other day someone knocked a toggle switch off it while it was on the stand so it's time to get that service I was thinking about getting done.

The bass is a Jazz type shape, ebony fretboard, heavy musicman type bridge and humbucker pick-ups, active and passive operation.

I use a really dull sound through an Ampeg B-15 and really sparse and simple bass lines (lazy bassist!) and am happy enough with the sound. I was thinking of changing over to flat wound strings and getting a new nut on the neck though. I'm hoping for a little less sustain and the sound to be a little more even in terms of the sounds envelope, long notes on some spots swell a bit too much...

So I'm wondering what's the story with using flat wounds on an active bass, a session guy told me they don't work well together anybody hear this?

Is there any point in going for a wood or ivory nut. I don't want to change the attack but reckon changing from the plastic one will hold the strings a bit better.

Doctor J · 25-08-2008 12:45PM

Changing the nut will only work when you play the strings open. IMO, it's a pointless exercise.

What might be of use to you would be string mutes

http://www.bassmute.com/bassmute/bm_mainframe.html

These will give you the deader sound you seek. Flats will work with active ok, try a set and see what you think, it'll cost you the price of a pack of strings.

Dord · 25-08-2008 12:46PM

studiorat wrote: »

Hi,
I'm playing an old G+L el toro bass. The other day someone knocked a toggle switch off it while it was on the stand so it's time to get that service I was thinking about getting done.

The bass is a Jazz type shape, ebony fretboard, heavy musicman type bridge and humbucker pick-ups, active and passive operation.

I use a really dull sound through an Ampeg B-15 and really sparse and simple bass lines (lazy bassist!) and am happy enough with the sound. I was thinking of changing over to flat wound strings and getting a new nut on the neck though. I'm hoping for a little less sustain and the sound to be a little more even in terms of the sounds envelope, long notes on some spots swell a bit too much...

So I'm wondering what's the story with using flat wounds on an active bass, a session guy told me they don't work well together anybody hear this?

Is there any point in going for a wood or ivory nut. I don't want to change the attack but reckon changing from the plastic one will hold the strings a bit better.

Unless you need the nut to be changed I wouldn't bother. If you do change it, go for bone or brass. It won't change the attack to the way you want though.

Flats work fine on an active bass. Another one to check out is Tapewound strings. I've got some on my active Jazz and they sound great!

studiorat · 25-08-2008 12:55PM

Doctor J wrote: »

Changing the nut will only work when you play the strings open. IMO, it's a pointless exercise.

What might be of use to you would be string mutes

http://www.bassmute.com/bassmute/bm_mainframe.html

These will give you the deader sound you seek. Flats will work with active ok, try a set and see what you think, it'll cost you the price of a pack of strings.

Hmmm! I wonder are those mutes switchable? I've seen a few stingrays something similar.

If I change string types won't I need the neck set up again. I know on guitars if you change the string type it messes with the setup.

Dord · 25-08-2008 01:04PM

studiorat wrote: »

Hmmm! I wonder are those mutes switchable? I've seen a few stingrays something similar.

If I change string types won't I need the neck set up again. I know on guitars if you change the string type it messes with the setup.

It might need a little tweak after but shouldn't need anything major.

As for the mute, you can turn it on and off.

Bass strings and Nuts

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