Help! I need to buy new strings.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

I'm sure this is embarrasing. I need to buy new strings to keep as backup before I travel however, I have no clue what to ask for in the shop. I've been seeing literally hundreds of options on the net but I gat no clue. Roundwound, bronze, flats... it's all gibberish to me.

 

I own a Yamaha BB604, I don't know what strings it has. Any ideas on what I should buy (reasonably priced ofcourse)?

Strings for robust sounding bass, good for Reggae. As close to acoustic sounding as possible.

Thanx

[PickPunk]

sounds to me like you want a set of flats. Flats generally sound more bassy im told, which im assuming is what you're after for a good reggae tone. Someone else well probably correct me if i'm wrong.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

Flats? Let me have a look around and check dem out. Problem is, not having a 'feel' of them on one's bass before purchase. I wonder what the original strings on my bass (from the factory) are called.

 

I'm also finding numbers like 47, 67, 85, 105, 130 next to the various strings. What do they stand for? Gauges...what's that for?

[RHINO_ROB]

if you are leery about flats. get some round wounds but stick to nickel wrap. stainless steel have a brighter tone. nickel is warmer. i play both flats and round wounds. different basses different tones. if you get flats make sure your hands are clean or your fingers will stick. a good low priced round wound are d'addarios. i play rotosounds swing 66's and jazz 77's

[Mr. Phil]

Flatwound strings are the same kind that are on URBs, and your can bow them if you really wanted to.

 

There are Ernie Ball flats on musiciansfriend.com for $20 + shipping. It took me about 5 minutes to get used to them from roundwounds.

 

I also have used Half-Rounds which is a mix between Rounds and Flats. They are also called Ground-Wounds (or Ground Rounds?) I think... They are a mix between the two.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

I do get the feeling I'd love the round wound one's. Acoustic bouncy feel. I've noted the Nickel issue too. Thanx.

Any more input on this is welcome.

[RHINO_ROB]

the numbers are string gauges. ibanez(not really sure about the other companies) use 45 to 105 on their four strings. the thicker the string the tighter the tension the more strain on the neck but the thicker the tone. if you increase the gauge of the strings you will more than likely have to adjust the neck or at the very least your action. if you still have the factory strings on your bass get a cailper and check the gauge of the strings to see what you need. if you don't have one just go with the 45 to 105. they should be alright.

[dohhhhh6]

To make B strings not so floppy, they have thicker, higher tensioned strings.

 

Roundwounds and flatwounds are probably the most extreme difference there can be in strings (other than gauges, of course).

 

Roundwounds have "rings" around them. They sound brighter than flats. Most bassists use them.

 

Flatwounds are smooth (i.e. no "rings"). They are deeper and are usually left on longer than roundwounds.

 

I picked up some Guild flatwounds (to try them out) for like 12 bucks at my local music store. Not too good of a tone, but I love the smoothness.

 

Ernie Balls are a surefire decent roundwound (and maybe flatwound).

 

That's more or less strings in a nutshell.

[Mr. Phil]

ooooo Lady knows her stuff.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

THANX A TRILLION ALL!! Round wounds it is! Big up Da Lady in Pink for spelling it out vividly.

I'll check out the Rotosounds which are £59 over here. Ain't that expensive though?

[alexclaber]

Originally posted by TShakazBlackRoots:

Round wounds it is

I'm sorry TSBR, but if you're going to talk the reggae talk, you're going to have to walk the reggae walk. No roundwounds for you, only flatwounds are permitted.

 

Here\'s some Rotosounds which should do the job. You shouldn't need to spend more than £30 on a set of strings.

[jeremy c]

£59 ?

That makes no sense to me at all.

Here in the states you can buy Rotosound strings for about $20 and at the current rate of exchange, that's not much more than £11!

 

And being the reggae monster that you are, I would think that you would want flatwounds.

 

However, slapping generally requires roundwounds.

 

It's easier to turn down the treble when you have roundwounds than to get any "twang" out of flatwounds.

[alexclaber]

Originally posted by jeremyc:

£59 ?

I bet that's for 3 sets!

[bruiser_dup2]

Originally posted by RHINO_ROB:

the numbers are string gauges. ibanez(not really sure about the other companies) use 45 to 105 on their four strings. the thicker the string the tighter the tension the more strain on the neck but the thicker the tone. if you increase the gauge of the strings you will more than likely have to adjust the neck or at the very least your action. if you still have the factory strings on your bass get a cailper and check the gauge of the strings to see what you need. if you don't have one just go with the 45 to 105. they should be alright.

How many people do you know with a caliper laying around the house? (I have one, but I'm a measurement professional).

 

You're essentially correct, but the numbers are not just string "gauges," they are the size of the string in 1/1000 of an inch. "45" is 0.045 inch. "105" is 0.105 inch. And so on.

 

Bruiser

[butcherNburn]

.. another point to add is that when changing guages or string type, the bridge and neck (wait 2 days before adjusting the neck) may need adjustment to compensate.

 

Oh wait, 1 more...

 

If you still have the original set of strings on your bass, and have been playing it religously, you may find an extreme change in sound, for better or worse, even with the same exact type replacement. Some people haven't changed their strings in 30 years.

 

I prefer heavier guage 50-110 nickle flats on my favorite 4, I have heavy rounds on #2. I never liked the 45-105, but I do have a set on my 60's Epiphone 5120E hollowbody because I don't want to snap it in 2.

 

"What might be right for you, may not be right for some...."

 

(what no reference to the "search" button?)

[butcherNburn]

Sorry Rino, somehow I missed that you mentioned adjustments first. Much Respect

[bubba upright]

Howdy Shaka--

 

A little additional info:

 

If you go with flats, in my experience, spend a little more hooch and go for Thomastiks. They are the most comfortable flats I've tried, very flexible (like rounds.) If you're not used to flats, anything other than Thomastiks will likely be uncomfortable to you as they tend to feel tighter than rounds. From what I've read on this forum, they get better with age and can last MUCH longer than your average string. All flats are not equal in terms of quality. Most of the cheaper ones I've tried are crap.

 

Someone mentioned D'Addario 1/2 rounds. These are great strings--durability of steel without all the new string "clackiness." They feel good under your fingers and have a nice warmth. Definitely worth a try.

 

As for gauges, for reggae, you might not want to go much slimmer on the E string than about a .105 width.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

I'm sorry TSBR, but if you're going to talk the reggae talk, you're going to have to walk the reggae walk. No roundwounds for you, only flatwounds are permitted.

This is the first time I'm buying strings, that's why I'm green.

The £59 maybe for 3 sets, I ain't sure. Please check www.gak.co.uk under accessories, you'll see these figures. Update me after you check it.

 

Many people are talking about Flatwounds being uncomfortable. I do love the 'Acoustic bass strings' feel. Is that flats or rounds?

And also, Nickel plated or steel plated. Which is better in my case?

I'll keep in mind the gauges and no, I have no calipers in the house. Last saw them in Physics class years ago.

Wish I could find a bass with Flats to have a try out. I may find them 'irie'!

[TShakazBlackRoots]

Sorry to ask. When they say £39.95 for 3 sets or for 5 sets for the Thomastik Jazz flatwound, do they mean 12 or 20 strings respectively (3 sets X 4 strings)?

In otherwords, is it 4 strings per set? That would be a brilliant deal.

 

2. Thomastik or Rotosound flats, which rules?

Thanx for the stringsdirect.co.uk website link.

[bc_dup1]

TSBR, if you surf around you may be able to find cheaper strings by bulk buying. I managed to get some Carvin strings for my Yamaha and it worked out around £13 a set (for 5s). That was a long time ago, though, because I don't change strings often and bought a lot of sets. When I got my Lakland the 35" scale meant the Carvins did not fit so I ordered direct from Lakland in the US. Even with shipping etc 5 sets worked out at around £18 a set (the more sets you buy, the cheaper the shipping per set) and the exchange rate is better now. £18 probably strikes Jeremy and other American players as a lot of money for a set of strings but in the UK you will typically pay a lot more than that for a set of 5 - typically around £25.

[Shars]

Status Hotwires...

Have a look here for them and we use them on our Status S1 and S2 basses,Hohner Jacks, Musicman Stingrays and aswell as the Status Kingbasses so all in all very duerable especially if you want a deep tone and for slap and finger styles a like and also available in any gauge or winding you care for.

Try calling Dawn or Rob Green @ Status and they are really helpful people to say the least and they will reccommend some for you to suit your playing style and bass.

Status Graphite

I hope this helps

[TShakazBlackRoots]

I'm going for the Rotosound Stainless Half rounds (Solo Bass 45-105) at £22.95!

Good choice?

In reserve, I'll have Rotosound Swing Bass 66 (45-105 Standard).

[butcherNburn]

If you're playing 45-105 round-wounds now, Swingbass 66's are a very safe bet. If safe is what you are looking for... Still pricy though, if it's a single set...

 

Since you are moving away from the factory set you've been playing with from the begining, you will notice a radical diference... Give them at least 2 or 3 hard sessions before you can really judge if they're right for you...

[Mr. Phil]

I still say go for the Ernie Balls...

[TShakazBlackRoots]

I still say go for the Ernie Balls..

I'll try order for them. Any link on where I can get them here in the UK?

The Swing Jazz 66 and the Jazz Bass Flatwounds by Rotosound will be my first purchase, see how it goes.

[Rick Hoffman]

I love checkin out new strings. About every 2 to 3 months I'll put a new set on my squier and if I really like a set of strings I'll buy them for the USA Jazz. I still have the store strings on my USA jazz they are a lighter guage string which I generally don't like.

I like medium to heavy. I always keep old strings and the wrapping they came in, in a little gig bag for spares. I have about 2 spare sets right now. As far as what I like best the jury is out, but I tried the skullcrushers and didn't like how they played.

I like a smooth, flexible string with rich tone.

Right now I have a set of Slinky's waiting to be strung. Should I even bother putting them on or should I return them for something else? I guess we will see...\

peace

[alexclaber]

Originally posted by TShakazBlackRoots:

I'm going for the Rotosound Stainless Half rounds (Solo Bass 45-105) at £22.95!

Good choice?

If you don't get flats you can kiss goodbye to your wannabe reggae legend status!

 

What would Family Man do? Or Lloyd Brevett? Or Robbie Shakespeare? Or Jackie Jackson? Or Bill Laswell? Or even Jah Wobble?

 

You know the true path to righteous bottom.

[TShakazBlackRoots]

If you don't get flats you can kiss goodbye to your wannabe reggae legend status!

Alright Alexander, spare me!! I'm sold. I've already put in an order for Rotosound Jass Bass Flats and some Rotosound Swing 66 standards. Have I maintained my 'Reggae wanna-be legend' status?

By the way, I'm listening to Family man right now....playing Rastaman Vibration. Wicked!

[way2fat]

I've got Roto Sound flats on my passive jazz bass and they seem fairly bright for a flatwound. Had them on since Christmas and haven't heard much change in their tone.