bass strings- many questions!

Question:

I dug out my back issue of Bass Player – March 1996 was a "Special Issue" on strings, Electric & Accoustic – 150 strings tested.  Plus articles on how strings are designed, made, etc.  All the info on strings you would ever want or need! Mike O.

Response:

I’ve had some of the same questions lurking around in the empty space above my shoulders. I’m still wondering though how do I know what length my bass is.  How do I measure the bass to ensure I get the right length strings?  The bass I have is has a Stratocaster setup so I really do have to get the right length since I don’t have those twisty things to work with like most normal basses. Thanks!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello! > I’m a new reader to this newsgroup, but I’ve found some usual gems of > info so far!  I have a good number of questions on one topic, but > hopefully someone can direct me to or send me a resource that covers > this info. > Question: > Can you recommend any resources or reviews on choosing bass guitar strings? > I recently got a new bass and I find that the stock strings (Elixir > Nanoweb) are too slippery.  I’d like something with a little more grip > and a less tinny, less nasal sound.  Or is that due to the bass itself? > Other questions that come to mind: > 3) why the different string lengths? > 4) how do the different string windings sound different? > 5) are particular windings better for certain types of music? > 6) how often should i be changing my strings?  I have an older bass with > 3 year strings and the sound has "matured" to a tone i like >    maybe i like dirty strings? > 7) is there a hierarchy of quality between brands? > which brands make good strings for their particular type of winding? > i hope there’s a resource out there for questions like this ^_^ > Thanks!!

Response:

Measure from the nut to the bridge (where the strings meet the bridge) Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve had some of the same questions lurking around in the empty space above > my shoulders. > I’m still wondering though how do I know what length my bass is.  How do I > measure the bass to ensure I get the right length strings?  The bass I have > is has a Stratocaster setup so I really do have to get the right length > since I don’t have those twisty things to work with like most normal basses. > Thanks! > Hello! > I’m a new reader to this newsgroup, but I’ve found some usual gems of > info so far!  I have a good number of questions on one topic, but > hopefully someone can direct me to or send me a resource that covers > this info. > Question: > Can you recommend any resources or reviews on choosing bass guitar > strings? > I recently got a new bass and I find that the stock strings (Elixir > Nanoweb) are too slippery.  I’d like something with a little more grip > and a less tinny, less nasal sound.  Or is that due to the bass itself? > Other questions that come to mind: > 3) why the different string lengths? > 4) how do the different string windings sound different? > 5) are particular windings better for certain types of music? > 6) how often should i be changing my strings?  I have an older bass with > 3 year strings and the sound has "matured" to a tone i like >    maybe i like dirty strings? > 7) is there a hierarchy of quality between brands? > which brands make good strings for their particular type of winding? > i hope there’s a resource out there for questions like this ^_^ > Thanks!!

Response:

Bass Player had a string roundup & review some time ago.  You might try them and see if any copies of that isssue are still available.  I have the issue and found it to be quite useful.  It also goes into string construction and other technicaities. Mike O.

Response:

>Can you recommend any resources or reviews on choosing bass guitar strings?

No.  People like different types of strings.  The type of strings I like the best would probably not go over with everyone else and vice versa.   >I recently got a new bass and I find that the stock strings (Elixir >Nanoweb) are too slippery.  I’d like something with a little more grip >and a less tinny, less nasal sound.  Or is that due to the bass itself?

Could be a combo of both.  Or you could just have turned up the "tinny" knob a little too far.  Experiment with different amp settings before you blame the strings or the bass.  But it just could be that the flatwound sound is more to your liking as well.   I don’t like Elixirs either.  They feel funny to me and don’t have the attack of metal strings that I like. >Other questions that come to mind: >3) why the different string lengths?

To fit different size basses. >4) how do the different string windings sound different?

Someone already answered this pretty well…I will add a couple other things to what they wrote…you can get "half-round" or "pressure-wound" strings as well.  These are roundwounds that have either been ground or pressed into a flatwound feel.  I don’t like them myself, but some like having a brighter tone than flatwounds but with a flatwound feel.  And on roundwound strings, there’s also stainless steel vs. nickel to contend with.  With flatwounds, it’s not really that much of an issue as most people don’t change flats until they break.  Both have pros and cons: Stainless—Pros: Very bright, the brilliance lasts longer.  Cons: expensive, they chew up the frets much quicker than nickel. Nickel—Pros: Bright enough for most people, easier on the frets, less expensive.  Cons: they don’t have that new sound for as long as stainless strings. >5) are particular windings better for certain types of music?

Most modern rock, R&B, and modern jazz players use roundwounds. People who play country, reggae, and old school rock and jazz usually use flatwounds.  But there are also plenty of players in all these genres who do the exact opposite, so it’s all a matter of taste. >6) how often should i be changing my strings?  I have an older bass with >3 year strings and the sound has "matured" to a tone i like >   maybe i like dirty strings?

Maybe you do.  Nothing wrong with that.  I used to be the same way until I bought a high-end custom bass.   >7) is there a hierarchy of quality between brands?

I don’t think so.  They try to make you think there is, but I’m just as happy playing any brand of nickel roundwounds as I am the most expensive stainless steel "specially processed" strings.  I usually buy D’addario XL’s, but I’ve used Ernie Ball, GHS, Dean Markley with equally good results. >8) which brands make good strings for their particular type of winding?

I often say that strings are all made in the same factory.  Turns out there’s like 4 or 5 different factories.  Who knew?  But there’s one saying about strings that’s always true: they all sound pretty much the same when they’re dead.

Response:

> 3) why the different string lengths?

There are different length basses.  34" scale is fairly standard, but many basses are longer especially ones where they’re in search of less-flabby low B strings on 5/6 string models.  My Peavey Cirrus is 35" scale. > 4) how do the different string windings sound different?

Roundwounds are bright zingy and modern. Flatwounds will give you the thuddy classic blues tone. Tapewounds I believe are duller still (never used em) > 5) are particular windings better for certain types of music?

Yes.  Flatwounds would be your canonical blues string.  But, I like using roundwounds for what I do (rock/blues). > 6) how often should i be changing my strings?  I have an older bass > with 3 year strings and the sound has "matured" to a tone i like >    maybe i like dirty strings?

quite possibly.  If your ear likes it, enjoy the economy of your preferences! > 7) is there a hierarchy of quality between brands?

Not that I’ve found.  String selection appears to be blissfully subjective, and I’ve not seen anyone griping about quality. > which brands make good strings for their particular type of >    winding?

Very subjective.  I like the bringhtness of Dean Markley blue steels, stainless, in their medium gauge.   Other folks hate em and say they die quickly. Other people like the durability and feel of the teflon coated Elixirs. A lot of this is trying various strings until you find the sound you’re looking for.  Having multiple basses speeds this process. You’ll find that you like certain strings on certain basses. —   /"  ASCII Ribbon Campaign                | Todd H   /                                       | http://www.toddh.net/    X   Promoting good netiquette            | http://triplethreatband.com/   /  http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/     | "4 lines suffice."

Response:

Hello! I’m a new reader to this newsgroup, but I’ve found some usual gems of info so far!  I have a good number of questions on one topic, but hopefully someone can direct me to or send me a resource that covers this info. Question: Can you recommend any resources or reviews on choosing bass guitar strings? I recently got a new bass and I find that the stock strings (Elixir Nanoweb) are too slippery.  I’d like something with a little more grip and a less tinny, less nasal sound.  Or is that due to the bass itself? Other questions that come to mind: 3) why the different string lengths? 4) how do the different string windings sound different? 5) are particular windings better for certain types of music? 6) how often should i be changing my strings?  I have an older bass with 3 year strings and the sound has "matured" to a tone i like    maybe i like dirty strings? 7) is there a hierarchy of quality between brands? which brands make good strings for their particular type of winding? i hope there’s a resource out there for questions like this ^_^ Thanks!!

Response:

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