BASSic question

[Greg H.]

Uh not sure where to post this, now that Oddioguy's forum is all shut away and such buuuttt at Cougar's tonight I broke a bass string (not even the G-string! how unfunny is that?), and I have NEVER bought bass strings in my life, even with my old bass, always used the same strings.

So pretty much my question is, since i want to get some quality out of my money, what are some of the better brands out there to buy from, for durability (I hit hard) and also for tone/sound?

p.s: It's a 5-string

[macrae11]

There's quite a few good string sets out there. D'addario is probably the most popular brand along with Ernie Ball. Both manufacture a good quality string. The durability will depend somewhat on the gauge of the strings, heavier in theory, should last a bit longer.

Rotosounds are great strings, but they can be a little hard to find around here.

I've used a couple of sets of Dunlops which I really like. Again a bit hard to find around here. I like that they're not super bright out of the box.

Not a big fan of Fender, Elixir, or GHS bass strings, but a lot of people swear by the Fenders.

It'll probably take a week or so of solid playing for the strings to start to sound normal, and lose some of that out of the box "zing".

[Greg H.]

Alright, i'll try to find some Dunlops, but if not, i'll get one of the other brands you suggested. Thanks a lot!

[Malcolm Boyce]

Bass strings, unlike guitar strings which usually break before they get gross, will become tonally disgusting after an extended period of time and use. Don't fool yourself into believing that just because your bass stings don't break, that you don't need to get a new set.

There are ways to prolong the life of a set of strings, and even bring some life back into them for a short time, including boiling them. I bet Scott D has tried most of them over the years. Cleaning your instrument after playing is a big one.

If you're not playing anywhere that you are super concerned about your tone, new strings aren't your worry. If you don't like the sound of "new" bass strings, you probably haven't found the right type of string for your taste.

Many times, with lesser experienced bass players, it's had to be enforced that they restring their instruments when coming in to a session. When money is a concern, I've seen entire bands pony up and buy their bass player a setup. It really is a huge part of what will give you a great sound, and help big time with tuning.

[Mathieu Benoit]

It's a bass fer cryin' out loud, just stick whatever on there... Don't put too much thought into it.



These outta do it.

[macrae11]

This coming from a guy who hits things for a living.

[Malcolm Boyce]

Basslaces.

[Mathieu Benoit]

This coming from a guy who hits things for a living.

You like it when I smack things.

[macrae11]

Yes I do.

[Scott DeVarenne]

L&M sells 4 string sets for <$20. I'm guessing a 5 string set might be around 25-30% of $ + to that.
Greg, do you play your bass with a plectrum?

[RoadDog]

That guy said plectrum...

[Greg H.]

L&M sells 4 string sets for <$20. I'm guessing a 5 string set might be around 25-30% of $ + to that.
Greg, do you play your bass with a plectrum?

That's a much better price than i've seen before, thanks a lot.

And in response to the second question: only if i'm playing punk, which is close to never

[Scott DeVarenne]

close to never

Try half-rounds. Every bass player must give them a go, just to see. But I don't like them with pick.
You could even try flats. Ooo, flats. You know what?... Go to music store and see if any of the basses are strung with
these strings, so you can sort of see what they feel like. Yes.

[Scott DeVarenne]

Oh, yeah, I doubt the no-name strings are available in half or flat. But maybe.

[Greg H.]

Oh, yeah, I doubt the no-name strings are available in half or flat. But maybe.

I'll check around the different stores, see what i can dig up, thanks!

[Greg H.]

So i stopped into musicstop today, and lo and behold i found myself a nice set of rotosounds. I have yet to put them on, though, so keeping my fingers crossed for that good bass sound

[adam]

After 10 years of using EBs I just made the switch first to D'addario and then to Rotosound. I've also switched allegiance to Rotos for acoustic & electric guitar strings (although this is much more tentative than the bass thing, which I have thrown myself into 100%).

Anyway.

GHS strings are a fate I would wish only on my worst bass-enemy (let's say Geddy Lee).
D'addario I have no beef with, although I dig Ernie Balls more.
Rotosounds are the most balanced-sounding strings to my ear. I have yet to really break in/wear out a set (I change my bass strings probably once every 6-7 months).

[Greg H.]

Yeah, i use EB for my electric, and I'm just in the process of trying Martin for my acoustic.

Hahaha, Geddy Lee, what a guy. I gotta say his singing is an acquired taste, but I like his bass style. Very Melodic in some songs.

[Jef]

...I'm just in the process of trying Martin for my acoustic.

Have you ever tried Elixers on an acoustic guitar? I switched a couple years ago and never looked back. Right out of the box they sound great, like already broke-in. They don't have that "edgy new string sound". And because of the coating, they last a lot longer and keep a consistent tone for duration.
...never much cared for Martin strings. They make great guitars but I find their strings don't last very long and they break easy.

[Greg H.]

...I'm just in the process of trying Martin for my acoustic.

Have you ever tried Elixers on an acoustic guitar? I switched a couple years ago and never looked back. Right out of the box they sound great, like already broke-in. They don't have that "edgy new string sound". And because of the coating, they last a lot longer and keep a consistent tone for duration.
...never much cared for Martin strings. They make great guitars but I find their strings don't last very long and they break easy.

I think my last set on my acoustic were Elixers, which i really enjoyed, but i figured i would try something new. Your right about the Martins, I hated the out of the box sound and they're just average sounding at best.

[macrae11]

GHS strings are a fate I would wish only on my worst bass-enemy (let's say Geddy Lee)..

+10

D'addario I have no beef with, although I dig Ernie Balls more.
Rotosounds are the most balanced-sounding strings to my ear. I have yet to really break in/wear out a set (I change my bass strings probably once every 6-7 months).

+1

[macrae11]

...I'm just in the process of trying Martin for my acoustic.

Have you ever tried Elixers on an acoustic guitar? I switched a couple years ago and never looked back. Right out of the box they sound great, like already broke-in. They don't have that "edgy new string sound". And because of the coating, they last a lot longer and keep a consistent tone for duration.
...never much cared for Martin strings. They make great guitars but I find their strings don't last very long and they break easy.

I hate Martin's on acoustic guitar. They go dead so fast, and don't sound great in the first place. When I used to work in guitar shops, we'd usually change all the high end Martin's over to D'addarios within the first month of them being in the store.

The D'addario coated strings are a nice option to the Elixir's as well. They feel and sound a little more natural, although they don't last quite as long.

[Greg H.]

I just put the strings on my bass, and i gotta say, 100% improvment in sound, and they haven't even been broken in yet! I already recorded a take with them for Fake Plastic Trees (radiohead). Thanks for the references guys!