bass strings
- Thread starter tmmblues
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Loserchief
SwingingIdiot
Re: bass strings
Can't give you the difference between the two brands but i'd first consider if he really wants flatwounds. Flatwounds will result in a very dark,mellow and smooth sound.
What kind of style and sound is he looking for?
Can't give you the difference between the two brands but i'd first consider if he really wants flatwounds. Flatwounds will result in a very dark,mellow and smooth sound.
What kind of style and sound is he looking for?
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: bass strings
Exactly!
If its jazz or any kind of smooth music: flatwounds.
if it's rock or pop, (or even jazz too) : he wants round wounds.
Ernie Ball .50 set is what I like to use, its a big deep round bass sound.
What is your son curious about? Flatwounds, or the two brands?
Exactly!
If its jazz or any kind of smooth music: flatwounds.
if it's rock or pop, (or even jazz too) : he wants round wounds.
Ernie Ball .50 set is what I like to use, its a big deep round bass sound.
What is your son curious about? Flatwounds, or the two brands?
Loserchief
SwingingIdiot
Re: bass strings
Depending on the level of dynamics he want you might also consider some contact-core strings. They usually have some extra bottom and wider dynamic range
Depending on the level of dynamics he want you might also consider some contact-core strings. They usually have some extra bottom and wider dynamic range
Uk Ant
New member
Re: bass strings
Are you sure about that, cos I'm pretty sure Mr Harris uses round wound rotosound swingbass. If he gets that sound out of flatwounds I'd be utterly amazed
Are you sure about that, cos I'm pretty sure Mr Harris uses round wound rotosound swingbass. If he gets that sound out of flatwounds I'd be utterly amazed
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: bass strings
Yes. He even has his own signature set of the strings.....at least he used to.
Yes. He even has his own signature set of the strings.....at least he used to.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: bass strings
If by bass strings you mean "electric bass", I've played most of the major brands.
Flatwound strings are closest to the type used by stand-up (acoustic) bass players. Amplified, they have a strong, full bottom tone, medium sustain and not too much brightness. This type of string was used back in the day by many R&B, blues and jazz players. Think of the opening notes to "My Girl" and you'll get the idea.
Roundwounds are rather bright and articulate, and sustain for much longer. These strings were favored by rock and R&B players who wanted a sharper, more percussive tone. Almost anybody playing the "slap" style will have a set of these.
I've used D'addarios for decades, and I favor their consistency. Roto's use a fabric binding to wind their string, and to me at least they sound and feel different from pack to pack.
If by bass strings you mean "electric bass", I've played most of the major brands.
Flatwound strings are closest to the type used by stand-up (acoustic) bass players. Amplified, they have a strong, full bottom tone, medium sustain and not too much brightness. This type of string was used back in the day by many R&B, blues and jazz players. Think of the opening notes to "My Girl" and you'll get the idea.
Roundwounds are rather bright and articulate, and sustain for much longer. These strings were favored by rock and R&B players who wanted a sharper, more percussive tone. Almost anybody playing the "slap" style will have a set of these.
I've used D'addarios for decades, and I favor their consistency. Roto's use a fabric binding to wind their string, and to me at least they sound and feel different from pack to pack.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: bass strings
I have D'Addario flatwounds on a Squier Silver Series Precision Bass. I use this instrument to make James Jamerson (Motown), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and early period John McVie (Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac) sounds.
All of my other bass guitars wear roundwound strings - even the fretless ones.
Generally, big strings help to give a big sound but these will be hard work for small hands. Also, on budget instruments, seriously heavy strings may generate more tension than a cheap truss rod can withstand.
EXTRA: Oughta mention, I play almost entirely fingerstyle. Some other posters in this thread use a plectrum.
I have D'Addario flatwounds on a Squier Silver Series Precision Bass. I use this instrument to make James Jamerson (Motown), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and early period John McVie (Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac) sounds.
All of my other bass guitars wear roundwound strings - even the fretless ones.
Generally, big strings help to give a big sound but these will be hard work for small hands. Also, on budget instruments, seriously heavy strings may generate more tension than a cheap truss rod can withstand.
EXTRA: Oughta mention, I play almost entirely fingerstyle. Some other posters in this thread use a plectrum.
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F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: bass strings
BE AMAZED. Steve Harris plays flatwound strings and gets the attack by using his fingernails. (Check out interviews.)
BE AMAZED. Steve Harris plays flatwound strings and gets the attack by using his fingernails. (Check out interviews.)
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: bass strings
On this point, earlier this week, I restrung the bass register half of my Chapman Stick with Light gauges instead of Heavy. All of its profoundly deep piano-like bass tonality disappeared. :eyecrazy:
The old strings are going back on this weekend. :approve:
On this point, earlier this week, I restrung the bass register half of my Chapman Stick with Light gauges instead of Heavy. All of its profoundly deep piano-like bass tonality disappeared. :eyecrazy:
The old strings are going back on this weekend. :approve:
Uk Ant
New member
Re: bass strings
I just amazed he gets that sound using flatwounds... at the same time it does explain why he's not worn the tips of his fingers off
I should really try flatwounds on my fretless again, I'm trying to move away from that eighties fretless bass sound. It's a great sound but for what Use bass for atm I would really like something more organic sounding
I just amazed he gets that sound using flatwounds... at the same time it does explain why he's not worn the tips of his fingers off
I should really try flatwounds on my fretless again, I'm trying to move away from that eighties fretless bass sound. It's a great sound but for what Use bass for atm I would really like something more organic sounding
T
these_go211
Guest
Re: bass strings
i was pretty surprised as well when i found out steve harris used flatwounds. flatwounds will give you a distinct sound, as described by previous posters. they feel great if you play fingerstyle. i use TI jazz flats, and i'm a rock player. also, nice not to have to change them much......or ever!
i was pretty surprised as well when i found out steve harris used flatwounds. flatwounds will give you a distinct sound, as described by previous posters. they feel great if you play fingerstyle. i use TI jazz flats, and i'm a rock player. also, nice not to have to change them much......or ever!
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: bass strings
I recently got back into the smooth warm sounds of D'addario chrome XL flatwounds. But it does depend on the type of music you play
I recently got back into the smooth warm sounds of D'addario chrome XL flatwounds. But it does depend on the type of music you play
N
nalo1022
Guest
Re: bass strings
I've used the D'addario flats on my fretless and occasionally on my fretted bass. I love them on the fretless but they weren't bright enough on my fretted, so put on round wounds of every different material, but they were all too bright. I eventually got a set of half rounds and it was perfect. They sound exactly like their name, right between flat and round.
I've used the D'addario flats on my fretless and occasionally on my fretted bass. I love them on the fretless but they weren't bright enough on my fretted, so put on round wounds of every different material, but they were all too bright. I eventually got a set of half rounds and it was perfect. They sound exactly like their name, right between flat and round.