Do I need new strings?

[Switch625]

Hey all,

 

I have a Yamaha BB604 that I bought used during lockdown and have just started to play now (total beginner at bass but can play a little guitar). The strings seem to be in good condition but I've noticed that 3 of them have the silk wrap whereas the E doesn't... I'm guessing that the E is from a different set but does this mean that the 3 with wraps are Flatwounds and maybe the E isn't? Why would the previous owner have done this?

 

Should I consider purchasing a new set of strings or just make do with these as they are? The strings sound fine to me through an amp, not dead or flat as far as my ear can tell. They're not tarnished at all. The only thing with the E is that it's quite thick so I don't know if it's a different gauge than what would've come with the others initially, and depending on the amp/bass knob settings I often get the "clipping/cut off" sound when playing that particular string. I have to dial back the "bass" setting to avoid this.

 

What are your thoughts?

[jd56hawk]

Well, I put new strings on every bass I buy the first chance I get, but that's because I'm very particular when it comes to tone.

If you're not satisfied with your strings, all four of them, why not put on your favorite set?

[Supernaut]

Get yourself a new set of strings and I think you'll hear the difference immediately. 
 

Here you go:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotosound-Nickel-Hybrid-Roundwound-Strings/dp/B001PKLKC6/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?crid=AVUNBWXRYGVE&keywords=bass+strings&qid=1700583349&sprefix=bass+strings%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-15 

[Lozz196]

From the photo the E seems to be sitting in the nut ok, as such as they all sound ok if there isn’t any noticeable difference in feel then leave them on.

 

 

[asingardenof]

If you think you need new strings, get new strings. If you don't, don't. Simples!  If I bought a bass secondhand I'd probably stick a new set on there, if nothing else so I could hear what it sounds like with fresh strings as well as used ones.

[BassApprentice]

No harm in a new set of strings. I doubt they are a mix of flats and rounds. Do they feel different or roughly the same?

 

With a new set at least you know what you are working with and you can keep the older strings for spares!

[Reggaebass]

Hi, hard to tell exactly but it looks like the A D G are flats and the E is a roundwound, I’d put a set of new strings on , either flats or rounds, depending on what you like the sound and feel of 

[TheGreek]

I can't see any downsides to fitting a new set of strings especially if you are not happy with the existing set.

You could use this opportunity to clean the fretboard and even have the bass set up to your own liking. 

Personally I prefer light gauge strings - you should try different gauges (know any other bassists?) to try to decide what you like.

[TheGreek]

Oh, good choice going with a Yamaha. 

[Baloney Balderdash]

Get a new set of D'Addario XL gauge .095 to .040 balanced tension (.095 - .070 - .055 - .040), and remember to give your bass a proper setup while you are at it (tons of great guides online) once you have changed the strings.

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[OliverBlackman]

Just so you know for future, they’re  all round wounds. Flats are completely smooth. 
 

it’s not uncommon for the strings to all be the same length but because the E string machine head is closer to the bridge than A or D, and there are less rotations than the G string it probably didn’t need the silk. 
 

you will know if you need new strings or not by the difference in sound when you put new strings on. 

[Switch625]

Thanks for all the responses and advice. I'm going to keep these on for now but will also order up a new set of Rounds and Flats just to see what differences there are 🙂

[Skybone]

New strings will only help.

 

Unless you like flats. Then only old strings will help.

[Merton]

New strings!

And great username 😎🤘🏻🤘🏻

[BassAdder60]

I agree but a set of new decent roundwounds and you will hear a better sounding bass immediately 

 

Not sure what the stock factory gauge is but I suspect 45-105 nickel plated long scale would suffice 

[Switch625]

So I'm thinking of ordering the Rotosound Swing Bass RS66LN 45-100 Nickel, is that a good starting point?

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-swing-bass-rs66ln-bass-strings-45-100-nickel

 

Also I want to try some Flatwounds and was thinking of these:

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-jazz-bass-rs77le-flatwound-bass-strings-50-110-monel

[Baloney Balderdash]

15 hours ago, Switch625 said:

So I'm thinking of ordering the Rotosound Swing Bass RS66LN 45-100 Nickel, is that a good starting point?

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-swing-bass-rs66ln-bass-strings-45-100-nickel

 

Also I want to try some Flatwounds and was thinking of these:

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-jazz-bass-rs77le-flatwound-bass-strings-50-110-monel

The roundwound set seems fine, but the flatwound seems really heavy and will have super high tension and be super stiff and hard to fret.

 

Flatwounds got more tension in relation to gauge than roundwounds, and Rotosound flats are known to be extra high tension.

 

My advice would be to get a gauge .095 to .040 flatwounds, those will be closer to the tension of the roundwound .100 to .045 string set you are planning on buying, and also I would advice getting a different brand of flatwounds than Rotosound as well.

 

I am not really an expert on flatwounds though, so which other brand you should get instead I really have little idea of, but i am sure someone with more knowledge will chime in and suggest a good set.

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[JohnH89]

I'm a long term Roto fan . Swingbass 66 are good all round roundwounds . Jazz bass 77s are really quite a high tension and stiff string , that are a lot brighter than most flats , especially when new . Not to everyones taste as a look on here will show you , but I am a fan and have a Yamaha BB734 strung BEAD with them . Good luck

[sky]

id probably recommend sticking with 45-105 or 45-100 as a start. remember if you do get a set of flats and dont like them you can always list them for sale here!

[Supernaut]

46 minutes ago, Switch625 said:

So I'm thinking of ordering the Rotosound Swing Bass RS66LN 45-100 Nickel, is that a good starting point?

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-swing-bass-rs66ln-bass-strings-45-100-nickel

 

Also I want to try some Flatwounds and was thinking of these:

 

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/collections/winter-sale-strings-sets/products/rotosound-jazz-bass-rs77le-flatwound-bass-strings-50-110-monel

D'Addario get a good rep:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-Bass-Guitar-Strings-Intonation/dp/B0002H04NE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=1BYR6KZ0B02V0&keywords=d'addario+45-100&qid=1700755470&sprefix=d'addario+45-100%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1
 

Ernie Ball too:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ernie-Ball-Regular-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6BDQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=24MSWAEIL88XO&keywords=sit%2Bbass%2Bstrings&qid=1700755620&sprefix=sit%2Bbass%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-17&th=1&psc=1

[Raj_Shredder]

My answer to this question is always yes. 😄

[OliverBlackman]

Stick to standard gauges for now. Thomastik are the most popular flatwounds. Ernie Ball slinky’s were a good round when I started. My string of choice now though are Markbass