Doubt that would help. Most stock bass will be 90% rounds at 45-105 OEM strings of sort.
Unless you like the dead string thumpy sound you’re going to need to replace any strings, they’re just a wear item. Unless you’re Jamerson inspired at least.
1 Like
Thanks Billin, I should have clarified, Am I going to have to replace them more often than, say, another brand. I’ve received lots of great advice
As you are a Rush fan, you will want to try the same strings Geddy Lee is using, sooner or later, anyway.
You can do it now, you can do it later.
I myself absolutely love the sound of new strings, but change them like every 6 months or so, tops, because I am very lazy.
Also, I like to try different strings every time. Until now, I really liked the EB Cobalt Strings, but also D’Addario EXL have a really nice sound. NYXL are the next on the list.
2 Likes
In general, flats need the fewest changes, and rounds more often, and it’s a rabbit hole when you get into types and gauges and coatings. You change them when they sound like crap or one goes dead. And I like to have a spare set because I find I always need to do a change after the stores are closed on a weekend.
2 Likes
Absolutely!
I hear you! The rabbit hole has already lured me in!
Here’s my advice, don’t chase this rabbit yet. Get a set of Ernie Balls or D’Addario, and become one with your bass. When you know what you want your sound to be - say you want warmer, maybe DR Pure Blues, or zingier, Rotosound 66 Stainless, which will be quite zingy, and use strings to dial in the sound.
Until then, D’Addario and EB will do you right.
4 Likes
Keep It Simple.
KIS
got it
1 Like
Oh My!
2 Likes
Stringjoy are great strings, in whichever scale or gauge. It’s amazing that more players aren’t trying them. They’re truly fine strings.
1 Like
In general, flats do indeed need less frequent changing than rounds.
But, specifically, Thomastik Infeld Jazz Rounds require less frequent changes than the most commonly available rounds suspects.
And, yes, they’re definitely more expensive than more common rounds. But, yes, they definitely feel and play far better than those others while they also last longer. So the math is on the TI Jazz Rounds side.
But playing is believing.
1 Like
If you don’t want to replace strings often then look into coated string like these ones:
I have these on for 3.5 years and they still sound bright and punchy, the typical sound you get after playing new strings for 4 - 5 days.
On my other bass I just have regular ones and those things end up completely dead after playing them for cca 6 weeks.
4 Likes
I will second the recommendation for Elixirs, I like them. On guitar they are great and I have a set of them next up for one of my basses.
2 Likes
Thanks for making my decision more difficult!
Nice ax. My suspicion is Rotowound sends GL strings by the case for free so yeah his tech no doubt changes every gig.
For me, I’m a flat wound man. I put LaBella Deep Talkin Bass strings on all by guitars and will never go back to rounds. I started with rounds but once I changed, I thought I’d died and gone up yonder.
1 Like
Thanks for the input, Ronnie! I’m deep in thought on this.
Pressure wound, and the flat or flat wrapped…I already have a bass (Yamaha 304) with stock roundwounds. Let’s try something new!
I love the feel of my La Bella flats, but I love the sound of my GHS pressure wounds. My flats are on my 174, the pressure wounds are on my BB.
1 Like
I just recorded a cover last night with some notable strings.
The Fender American performer mustang bass has the slinky short scale string set
The music man caprice bass has the Thomastik Infeld jazz flats
The music man Joe Dart II has Thomastik Infeld jazz round
And my Lignum custom 23” scale 5 string has Dogal string on it. It’s also the most expensive if you can even get one here in the States.
The TI flats and rounds clearly growls a lot and so much texture in the tone.
Dogal is just phenomenon because it sounds just like a normal scale bass without sacrificing string tension or tone.
The slinky is a dark horse for sure because it sounds so freakin tight and thumpy. It’s my favorite non specialty string set. It’s also the cheapest at $20. Compared to the other 3 that total to almost $400 , yeah! You heard me right.
Check it out.
5 Likes