Bass string recommendations

[thebutcher85]

+1 for both the D'Addario's and the RotoSounds, I've used both of those and had no complaints about either back in the day when I used to play bass.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I am stubbornly set on my guitar strings of choice.  When I made the switch to bass, nothing was taboo.  I changed often and never the same set twice.  Tried DRs, D'Adario, Rotosound, and a few others.  IMO, the Rotosounds were extremely overrated and overpriced.  They felt like playing on razor wire and were dead out of the pack.  The D'Adario half-rounds were by far my favorite for feel, but most places don't carry them.  I settled on Dunlop for feel and price - $20.  They're on the bright side when brand new but wear really well.  I change them more often than needed simply because they're cheap. 

 

[Strat Avenger]

I've had good experience with these guys:
http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_660

 

[hannaugh]

I went to my local shop and looked at what they had.  They've got the black nylon Rotosounds, but that was pretty much it for short scale.  :-\

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I went to my local shop and looked at what they had.  They've got the black nylon Rotosounds, but that was pretty much it for short scale.   :-\

When I had a shortscale, it said use only shortscale strings, but the gauges were still the same.  Only thing I can figure is that it has to do with the taper being smaller on the tuning machines.  I used long scale on it, they still fit in the posts.

 

[Corey P.]

For bass strings I've been pretty loyal to D'Addario of late - I played DR's for a while, but being handwound they were just inconsistent enough to mess with the intonation to the point of distraction, so I'm back to something machine-wound for greater consistency.  I'm afraid I have zero experience with short scale basses/strings and half-wounds, but I never personally cared for flatwounds - I actually found them tougher on my fingers than roundwounds since there was more surface drag.  Half-wounds are intriguing, I'll have to give them a shot at some point.

 

[hannaugh]

I went to my local shop and looked at what they had.  They've got the black nylon Rotosounds, but that was pretty much it for short scale.   :-\

When I had a shortscale, it said use only shortscale strings, but the gauges were still the same.  Only thing I can figure is that it has to do with the taper being smaller on the tuning machines.  I used long scale on it, they still fit in the posts.

My tech guy told me that it has to do with where the silk begins.  He said you can use regular length strings on a short scale, but the strings won't last as long because it puts stress on the wrong part of the string or something like that. 

 

[stubhead]

Yeah, I was going to mention that - Rotosounds will eat frets if you have a heavy left hand style, which shouldn't be necessary on a 30" scale. I built both my current basses knowing that I would be using D'Addario Chromes. They are that good - they're plenty bright enough, they last forever, and they're easy on fretless fingerboards and fingertips (and frets, of course). When I built my 30.5" scale five-string fretless, I was mentally prepared to tune it up a half-step for the string tension/flubbery problem, but they work fine. The action is a bit higher than on a long-scale, that's all - I'm using the "ECB81" Regular Light Gauge Chromes, .100"-.080"-.065"-.045" -.032" (a high C, that last one). The Fender flatwounds are pretty good, too - I used to use them on a Fender Coronado short scale and they worked O.K. if my memory serves me (this was like 1977).

The Rotosounds are what you use along with some serious tube overdrive to get the Flea, John Entwhistle (live) kind of zoomy sound. They do a good job of "cutting through the mix" which sounds like a good idea except that
when everybody's doing their damndest to cut through the mix, THERE ISN'T ANY MIX.
Because, the bass player is screwing around up in the 2K frequencies and NOBODY'S PLAYING THE BASS. If I could have a nickl... well there I go again.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I went to my local shop and looked at what they had.  They've got the black nylon Rotosounds, but that was pretty much it for short scale.   :-\

When I had a shortscale, it said use only shortscale strings, but the gauges were still the same.  Only thing I can figure is that it has to do with the taper being smaller on the tuning machines.  I used long scale on it, they still fit in the posts.

My tech guy told me that it has to do with where the silk begins.  He said you can use regular length strings on a short scale, but the strings won't last as long because it puts stress on the wrong part of the string or something like that. 

He may know something I don't (certainly not the 1st time - lol).  But, it would seem once you do more than one wrap or trim any of the ends, where the silk ends or begins shouldn't matter.

 

[Steve_Karl]

The Rotosounds are what you use along with some serious tube overdrive to get the Flea, John Entwhistle (live) kind of zoomy sound. They do a good job of "cutting through the mix" which sounds like a good idea except that
when everybody's doing their damndest to cut through the mix, THERE ISN'T ANY MIX.
Because, the bass player is screwing around up in the 2K frequencies and NOBODY'S PLAYING THE BASS. If I could have a nickl... well there I go again.

I've never had a problem getting a warm and well balanced tone from Rotosounds.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Of course there's Ernie Ball. Excellent strings - bar none...

 

[Mapleg4]

I need some bass string recommendations.  I think I want ground wounds because I like the feel of flats, but I don't want them to sound like rubber bands on my little 30" bass.  I don't know anything about bass strings though.  I've never bought a set. 

I use heavy Ernie Ball Power Slinkys, but that's probably not what you're looking for.

 

[SkuttleFunk]

I've been a DR Sunbeams and D'Addario nickel player for years, but reccently I tried a couple sets of EB Slinky's due to needing a set of strings right then and GC had them on sale ... that was about three months ago, and since then I've loaded Slinky's on just about every bass I needed to put strings on. too bad I don't order string in quantities large enough to qualify for wholesale

all the best,

R

 

[ihavenothingprofoundtosay]

I went to my local shop and looked at what they had.  They've got the black nylon Rotosounds, but that was pretty much it for short scale.   :-\

Try 'em!  You're very unlikely to regret it!   :icon_jokercolor:  Seriously - I'd say try them for a bit, the feel is totally unique.

Otherwise, Juststrings is the place for short scale bass strings.

Edit: dang... I seem to recall them once having the option to sort by short scale vs regular 34" bass strings.  There's no way to find what the options are except lots of browsing. 

 

[chubs]

All 3 of my basses have EB super slinkys (45 - 100) on them.

 

[stubhead]

It is kind of hard to comparison shop for something you need three times a decade.... :toothy11:

 

[Corey P.]

I love Ernie Ball strings for guitar but not bass...le shrug.  :dontknow:

 

[triumphrider]

When I bought my Gibson SG bass, the seller threw a set of short scale GHS Brite Flats in the case, and those were a GREAT compromise between flats and rounds. The string tension was just right, and they had just the right mix of brightness and warmth.

Keep in mind, this is just my own dumb opinion.  :icon_biggrin:  Asking bass players what their favorite bass strings are is like asking a bunch of car enthusiasts which brand of motor oil is the best.

Good luck with your search!

 

[hannaugh]

Cool, I'll have to look into those!