- Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Bass. Some of the best bass strings for bright, modern sounds.
- Rotosound Jazz Bass 77.
- D’Addario NYXL Bass.
- Rotosound Tru Bass 88.
- D’Addario XT Nickel Plated Bass Strings.
- Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Cobalt.
- DR Strings Lo-Rider.
- La Bella Deep Talkin’ Bass.
What are the smoothest bass strings?
Flatwound. Flatwound strings consist of a steel core string wrapped with a flat wire, which results in a smooth feel and warm, mellow tone (think jazz and Motown). Further, “flats” don’t chew up frets and fingerboards as much as roundwound strings do, which makes them the preferred type for fretless basses.
Which bass strings should I use?
Match the gauge to your sound and style
String gauge is more than a number: it determines how your bass strings will feel and sound. The rule of thumb is, that heavy-gauge strings (around . 050 – . 105) have a richer bottom-end, but require more finger-strength than a lighter set (typically .
What kind of strings did Jaco use?
Jaco Pastorius was also a dedicated user of Swing 66 bass strings.
What gauge strings do most bass players use?
The Bass String Gauges
A heavier gauge produces a richer tone that is determined by the strength of your fingers. Additionally, a heavier gauge produces a lower tone. Most bass strings have a medium gauge, a standard 4-string bass guitar ranges between 0.045 and 0.105 inches thick.
How often should I change bass strings?
Some people never change strings. James Jamerson never changed his strings and once said, “The funk is in the funk.” Other people who like a bright sound or play a lot may change strings once every week or two. For my average student I suggest they change or clean them every 3-4 months.
Do strings make a difference on bass?
The importance of bass strings
Bass guitars are designed to give you deep lows that help drive the music. A bass’s strings can make a big difference in the tone of your bass. Some strings are brighter and deliver a punchier tone that is ideal for rock, country, pop, and more.
Are lighter gauge bass strings easier to play?
Though lighter gauge bass strings don’t produce as much low end or volume, they are easier to play for beginners and often offer more midrange in their tone. Seasoned players with tougher calluses and greater finger strength will benefit from the extra low end and volume of thicker bass strings.
Are thicker bass strings better?
As a rule of thumb, heavier bass strings sound more bassy, warm, and resonant than lighter strings. While many bassists prefer the sound of heavy strings, using them for their tone is ultimately a stylistic choice and lighter strings are often used both for their tone and playability.
Is bass easier than guitar?
In a band environment, empathy for both instruments is really useful. But is it easier to play bass than guitar? Well, probably – less strings and no chords. Remember though that both will require mastering the basic building blocks of left/right hand coordination and rhythm, plus technique and scales.
What strings did Geddy Lee use?
ROTOSOUND SWING BASS 66 STRINGS
Lee has always used Rotosound strings and proclaimed: “I’ve never found another string to replace them.” The Swing Bass strings he uses were developed in 1966 by Rotosound founder James How and Who bassist John Entwistle, and perfected into what became the industry standard.
Who uses Rotosound Bass Strings?
For the players
The distinctive sound of our roundwound Swing Bass 66 strings have been used by the bass-world’s biggest hitters such as Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, Noel Redding, Duff McKagan, and John Paul Jones.
Are flatwound bass strings easier?
Obviously, whether one feels better than the other to you is subjective. Some bassists prefer the extra bit of friction that roundwound strings offer, especially if their hands get sweaty while playing. Other players may appreciate the smoother feel of flatwounds, especially when playing over extended periods.
What scale is a Fender jazz bass?
34” scale
Most basses such as Fender’s Precision and Jazz Bass have a 34” scale—considered a long scale.
Why do bass players boil their strings?
Over time, bass strings get grime pushed into them. And no matter how often you clean your strings, once grime gets in there, it’s very difficult to get out. What boiling the strings does is simply loosen and release the grime you can’t get to.
How do I know if my bass strings are dead?
When they get old, you’ll also notice a pronounced lack of sustain and they will sound extremely dull. Many bass players describe the sound of dead bass strings as muffled or muddy. They look funky. Another telltale sign of strings gone bad is rust, dark spots, or other discolorations along the length of them.
Do old bass strings sound better?
All else being equal, new guitar and bass strings sound brighter that their older counterparts. That is to say, restringing a guitar with a new pack of the same strings (same brand, type, gauge, etc.) will provide a brighter tone than the old strings that are being replaced.
Do heavier strings sound better?
Heavier strings have more mass, which means they will cause the guitar to sound louder. This is true of electric guitars, where there’s a greater mass of oscillating metal in the pickup’s magnetic field. It’s also true of acoustic guitars, where more vibrating mass is driving the soundboard through the bridge.
Why are bass strings wrapped with silk?
Adding silk to the portion of string that is wound around the machinehead helps to create a cushion to help prevent any wear and tear which can build up over years of playing. Speaking of a tight grip, silk windings were in fact originally attached to bass strings to help facilitate just that.
What are the best bass strings for rock?
Best Bass Strings for Hard Rock
Recommended bass strings for metal bass players and drop tuning, in no particular order, are: DR Hi-Beams 45-105, DR Fat Beams 45-105, LaBella Hard Rockin’ Steel 30-85, Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 50-105.
Do heavier gauge strings stay in tune better?
Heavier gauge strings may hold tune better than thinner strings due to increased tension, but the difference is minimal compared to the other factors that affect a guitar’s tuning: string stretching, how the strings sit or lock in the bridge saddles and nut grooves, and stability of the tuning pegs.