Acoustic strings?

[Looper]

Quick simple question;
Is it ok to put steel strings on an acoustic bass guitar?
Need to replace the bronze strings that are on it but wasn't really gone on the sound of them, so can I use
regular strings or will it cause issues.
Thanks all.

[zero9]

Yes, you can.

I've used regular roundwounds, rotosound black tapewounds and thomastik flats in the past instead of the regular bronze ones. I've only used low tension type strings and light gauge roundwounds as I found I got best results with those. Be careful with heavy gauge higher tension strings though (although it will depend on what type of acoustic bass you have).

[Looper]

Thanks zero9.
I was hoping to use a set that came off my electric which are 45-105 roto's.
Is there a danger that with more tension it might pull the bridge off?
It's a cheap bass so don't know if it's all that well made!
Thanks again.

[zero9]

That's a tricky one. Bronze strings have a nylon core and are lower tension, typically medium gauge. You'reouy going to use heavier gauge steel core strings, thus this will put more strain on the bridge. Depends how strong your cheapy is really. I'm reluctant to say do it in case it does tear the bridge off!

Let me know how you get on if you do try it ;-)

If you are going for higher tension strings, I would go slowly, gently and watch for any flexing of the bridge, body and neck as your tensioning the strings.

[Looper]

Thanks zero9, might not try it so!
I'll see about some low tension steels.
Cheers.

[oggiesnr]

I use bronze D'darrios on mine (bet I've spelt that wrong ). If you use another string then I would use light gauge and low tension, an acoustic is a lot less structually forgiving than a solid electric.

Steve

[Maude]

I've had one of those ebay £60 jobbies for a good few years now and I string it with cheapy 'Pure Tone' nickel alloy rounds (45-105), it's only for picking up and bumming around with at home so I'm not too worried about tone and they only cost £4.49 a set , although they do sound alright anyway.
Point is, it's never had any issues with nickels on it, I rarely have to tune it much, if at all. The bass is made by 'Atrics' but looks identical to the 'Swift' ones on ebay, I bought mine before I ever saw the 'Swift' ones and I'm guessing they're just rebranded for whoever is selling them.

Edited August 26, 2012 by Maude