Bass Guitar strings

[gbbird]

Hi all,

need some quick advice from the experienced bass players amongst you. I have a LTD B-50 bass (34" scale) and I need to get some new strings as the ones on it are a good 4 years old now! There are so many makes of string out there. What would you recommend? For my guitars i normally get D'addario or Ernie Ball. Are these equally good for bass? There are also different types eg flatwound, roundwound, nickelwound. Which are the best for a heavy (metal) sound?

I dont want to spend the earth as i only use the bass occasionally for laying down basic tracks when recording, but i would like strings that keep their sparkle for a long time.

g

Edited by gbbird on Tuesday 24th January 09:56

[AdeTuono]

gbbird said:

I dont want to spend the earth as i only use the bass occasionally...

FFS, it's a set of strings. You know, what normal people probably change weekly/monthly? £10-£20.

[davepoth]

http://www.elixirstrings.co.uk/products/product_ba...

Cost a little bit more, but don't go rusty. Probably a good idea for occasional use.

[darreni]

I'm using Rotosound Steve Harris flatwounds on my stingray & loving them.

[Whitester]

AdeTuono said:

gbbird said:

I dont want to spend the earth as i only use the bass occasionally...

FFS, it's a set of strings. You know, what normal people probably change weekly/monthly? £10-£20.

If that! Strings are proper cheap at the minute.

OP, I use Ernie Ball's on my admittedly crappy bass, but then, it sounds poo because of how st the pups are. They are nice to play as ever though.

[KemP]

I use D'addario Nickelwounds. They last fairly well, sound good and don't cost the earth.

[Evangelion]

Rotosound RS66LD, 45, 65, 80, 105 on my Ricky 4001.

[kev b]

You might have a struggle finding 24" bass strings, try Strings Direct.
ETA Did you mean 34" scale?

Edited by kev b on Tuesday 24th January 01:07

[gbbird]

kev b said:

You might have a struggle finding 24" bass strings, try Strings Direct.
ETA Did you mean 34" scale?

Edited by kev b on Tuesday 24th January 01:07

Apols yes, i meant 34" scale. Have amended my OP

[chevy-stu]

If you're a guitar player I'd go for 40-60-80-100 as it makes it a bit more manageable..

bass strings are the same as guitar strings, everyone will have their personal favourites, so just trial and error, but as you're not gigging every week you don't have the luxury of trying a dozen different makes..

I've tried pretty much all the makes on the market, and settled on Rotosound roundwound (swing bass) on the Fenders as this suited my 'sound'.... but on the Musicmans, I've always preferred the Ernie Ball strings, so use Hybrid Slinkys.

I wouldn't bother with the pricey DR's and Elixirs if your only using it occasionally, just give them a clean of after each use, and they'll last a while...
Flatwound will sound duller from the start in general, so avoid unless you want that dead 60's sound..

[GetCarter]

I used to get my strings free from Rotosound (I had to endorse them), so tried all of them, and I too liked the roundwound swing bass. A nice full sound and good for recording. I found them particularly good on Fenders.

[gbbird]

Thanks for responses all. I am tempted to give the rotosounds a go.

[bebee]

Rotosound for my bass and Ernie Ball for my guitars.

I've bought from here for years, good discounts, the more you buy etc. I know of one music shop that buys from here to sell in his shop.

http://www.stringbusters.com/katalogue-S/1/BASS+ST...

[gbbird]

bebee said:

Rotosound for my bass and Ernie Ball for my guitars.

I've bought from here for years, good discounts, the more you buy etc. I know of one music shop that buys from here to sell in his shop.

http://www.stringbusters.com/katalogue-S/1/BASS+ST...

I use earnie ball or daddario for my guitars. Cheers for the link. I normally use strings direct but I'll check out string busters too.