WHAT STRINGS FOR AN ACOUSTIC BASS??

[TheGreek]

I picked up my acoustic bass today - it's been sitting unused on a stand for a while now - noticed that the brass strings were filthy and that it lacked tone.

Can anybody recommend a good set of strings? I do like a light guage - normally .40s but I'll prefer .35s where these are available..

[icastle]

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1230221' date='May 13 2011, 05:54 PM']I picked up my acoustic bass today - it's been sitting unused on a stand for a while now - noticed that the brass strings were filthy and that it lacked tone.

Can anybody recommend a good set of strings? I do like a light guage - normally .40s but I'll prefer .35s where these are available..[/quote]

You don't have a lot of choices when it comes to Bronzewound bass strings, certainly unlikely to find .035 or .040s.
Most people I know who own an acoustic bass guitar tend to just stick on stainless steel or nickelwound strings for convenience.

[EssentialTension]

I've got TI Jazz Flats on mine - lovely.

[Sawtooth]

I recently bought some Pyramid 'Bronze Wires' .040 .060 .080 .100 for my acoustic resonator. They sounded good until tuning up the E one day and the outer winding touched the post and 'ping!'
At £25 a set (inc. postage from thomann's) I wasn't amused.

[FayeAutumn]

[quote name='icastle' post='1230333' date='May 13 2011, 07:40 PM']You don't have a lot of choices when it comes to Bronzewound bass strings, certainly unlikely to find .035 or .040s.
Most people I know who own an acoustic bass guitar tend to just stick on stainless steel or nickelwound strings for convenience.[/quote]

I wondered about that myself. I've got an acoustic bass but don't like the feel of the bronze strings (which seem to go bad very easily) and I've been thinking about re-stringing it with the same strings as my electric at some point. But wasn't sure if it was considered 'not the done thing' or not.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='FayeAutumn' post='1230492' date='May 13 2011, 10:02 PM']I wondered about that myself. I've got an acoustic bass but don't like the feel of the bronze strings (which seem to go bad very easily) and I've been thinking about re-stringing it with the same strings as my electric at some point. But wasn't sure if it was considered 'not the done thing' or not.[/quote]
Lots of people use 'electric' strings on acoustics. It's fine.

[icastle]

[quote name='FayeAutumn' post='1230492' date='May 13 2011, 10:02 PM']I wondered about that myself. I've got an acoustic bass but don't like the feel of the bronze strings (which seem to go bad very easily) and I've been thinking about re-stringing it with the same strings as my electric at some point. But wasn't sure if it was considered 'not the done thing' or not.[/quote]

In all honesty I've probably only ever seen a handfull of acoustic basses strung with bronzes - even in music shops!

[casapete]

I've tried a few, and always come back to Elites Phosphor Bronze on my Washburn.
Sound fine, never had a duffer and last a long time.

Edited May 13, 2011 by casapete