The Short Scale Bass Appreciation Society!

[martthebass]

EB Hybrid Slinky shortscale rounds for me, 45-105.  I don't like the sound of new strings but these seem to bed in quickly and retain decent tone. 

[scrumpymike]

1 hour ago, AlexDelores said:

It’s been done to death I know… 

 

But, talk to me about strings.

What are we all using that’s relatively hard wearing and retains its goodness even after lots of use? 

Always LaBella 760FS-S for me. They're 045-105 stainless-steel flats. Not what I'd call bright but bright enough for me through my LFSys Monaco FRFR cab. Never had to change a set but then again I tend to change basses instead of strings 🙂 

Edited 2 hours ago by scrumpymike

[Obrienp]

1 hour ago, AlexDelores said:

It’s been done to death I know… 

 

But, talk to me about strings.

What are we all using that’s relatively hard wearing and retains its goodness even after lots of use? 
 

I currently use cheap Fender rounds on my Gretsch which gets gigged heavily in the hot (sweaty) summer months and I change strings every month or so. I have pretty decent care routine (wipe all down after every show etc) But, although I’d say I probably prefer the worn in sound, I hate the feel of old rounds…. 
 

So, thinking of trying flats. I’d like a ‘brighter’ flat that can take a bit of abuse… initial thoughts are D’addario Chromes, are these a relatively ‘bright’ flat or would i better looking at something like cobalts? I’m not adverse to trying a more hard wearing round if anyone can recommend something that last a bit longer.

 

In honesty, I’ve always just bought cheap strings and then changed them but it’s getting quite expensive now as they don’t appear to be lasting 😅
 

 

Hard to go wrong with D’Addarios IMO. The nickel rounds seem to last for ages, are relatively cheap and are available in SS, MS, LS. I like their chrome flats as well and even their black nylon tapes, which I have on my Sire U5 fretless. The chromes are quite bright for flats, nothing like as dull as LaBella and half the price. Rotosound flats are really bright to my ears and not too expensive if you shop around.

 

I went into a bit of a panic when Trump was threatening tariffs over Greenland and people were organising a boycott of US goods. What would I use instead of D’Addarios?

[ped]

1 minute ago, Obrienp said:

I went into a bit of a panic when Trump was threatening tariffs over Greenland and people were organising a boycott of US goods. What would I use instead of D’Addarios?

 

All sorted - I gave him a call and explained

[eude]

14 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

I went into a bit of a panic when Trump was threatening tariffs over Greenland and people were organising a boycott of US goods. What would I use instead of D’Addarios?

Assuming they go back on @ped's agreement, and to be fair, they have form, you can't go wrong with Newtone strings, made in the UK

Edited 1 hour ago by eude

[AlexDelores]

9 minutes ago, eude said:

Assuming they go back on @ped's agreement, and to be fair, they have form, you can't go wrong with Newtone strings, made in the UK

This is a good shout. But, am i correct in thinking they only make Roundwound? 

 

Thank you 

[eude]

19 minutes ago, AlexDelores said:

This is a good shout. But, am i correct in thinking they only make Roundwound? 

 

Thank you 

Ah yes, roundwound only.

If you look to Europe, there's Galli and Tomastik who both make decent flats.

[eude]

Status Graphite sell short scale flats, darned good price too.

I think they're made by Picato for them, could be wrong.

[Obrienp]

1 hour ago, eude said:

Assuming they go back on @ped's agreement, and to be fair, they have form, you can't go wrong with Newtone strings, made in the UK

I’ve used their guitar and resonator strings but never bass. Might check them out.

[eude]

Just now, Obrienp said:

I’ve used their guitar and resonator strings but never bass. Might check them out.

They're my favourite string.

I used to use DR nickels, I loved the warmer tone of SunBeams, but also the feel and bite of the Nickel LoRiders, Newtone, at least the hex nickel ones seem to sit firmly between the two sonically to my ear, and they last a long ol' time.