She really liked the following strings: Nickel plated steel, Elixir, stainless steel, flats, pure nickel. She normally uses Roto stainless on her basses, but she told she will consider using Elixirs and pure nickels too in the future. Cheers //Kris
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses HI, very informative video, great reference for tying new strings out. Can you tell me what it is about upright bass strings that makes it so you can play them with a bow? Do they make strings like this for an electric bass? If they did, could you play an electric bass with a bow?
Watch Julias face If you want to know what she likes its a smirk followed by a slight carcrash face. Elixir & Cobalt is my deduction. Well Julia am I right or did I just carcrash myself?
Tapewounds are for fretless, honestly. They get worn terribly on a fretted bass. I'd had a set of tapewounds on a fretless carvin for a decade and that was absolutely the right strings for that bass. I'd tried half rounds and flatwounds. But the tapewounds worked incredibly well with the bartolini quad coils I had in that.
As a layman on the subject, I really liked the sound of Cobalt strings. I can imagine the work it took to make the video. Julia and you had a lot of patience. Congratulations from Brazil!
I have discovered, and LOVE La Bella black nylon tape wound bass strings. Oh my goodness! The sensual feel of upright bass strings, with a rich, warm sound that can make church pews vibrate. After the first couple of songs, you aren't so much playing the bass, as you become one with it. The sound Motown wishes they could have had, if only sub-sonic sound reproduction had been up to it in the 1960s. Play McCartney's bass riff from the Beatles' song, "Come Together" and hear a whole new dimension to a song you thought you knew. The strings make it fun to play in the deep end of the swimming pool! Maybe not the best choice for metal bands.
@@Br0adCastYourS3lf nothing too fast, the La Bellas can become a bit awkward, but, as I said, "Come Together", the Eagles, "Hotel California", that type of stuff just sound wonderful. The strings make me a better player than I am. BUT I am gonna get a set of the DRs. Let me state the obvious - there's something I find appealing about black beauties! LOL!
Didn't expect a such drastic difference - wow! I love Stainless Steel on most of my basses, it's just a feel thing. (nylon tape wounds would have completed the collection)
Well how would you characterize the sound of tape wounds, compared to these others? Are the more like flat wounds, or what makes them different? Also do you know the type of strings on an upright? What makes them able to be played with a bow?
@@buckemptier Uprights generally use stainless steel flats or gut (less common since mid 20th century- they don't last long and good ones are expensive). The resin on the bow hair grabs the string to vibrate it.
I started watching this and realized nope, absolutely need headphones and will start it over later. What I saw so far, very interesting and informative. Thank you, as I can only imagine this took a while to produce with all the string changes and playing examples for each string type. Julia as always is a super solid player!
@@williambarnes4612What our fellow brother in Christ is warning us of is that you can get labeled as a simp for anything these days, so it's important to not get caught lackin'. It happened to me in the RU-vid comment section awhile back. There was a commenter who gave a good joke (and she just so happened to be a girl), and I remarked that the joke was very good (in comical terms). And I got branded a simp for it, despite the fact that I didn't do anything to warrant it. I don't approve of his delivery (respectfully to mans), because this is the internet (so it's everybody's conversation) and he can't fault you for your reaction because it does look weirdish. He could've just explained that shit gets real out here in these RU-vid streets and you don't wanna be caught lackin'. But I do understand what he was saying. Granted, I personally don't think it's a big deal, because someone else calling me a simp over nothing says more about their inability to read a situation. But I understand the caution. The internet be body slamming homies for small shit. 😂
While this video was actually informative, using Rotosound flats was actually a fatal mistake as they are one of the brightest sounding Flatwound strings in the market (same to be said with Dadarrio chromes, Slinky Cobalt flats, etc etc). A better example of a more fundamental and old school sounding Flatwound would have been Labella Deep Talkin Flats, or even Optima Flats.
I wish all these demo-ers would play some walking ass lines so that you can hear the true tones of those strings. All that popin' and slappin' make all these strings sound the same: like low-tone banjo's...
My 5 string is tunned up to drop C/D standard. Feels/sounds so much better than de-tuning my shorter scale 4 string. Which needs new strings. This video really helped.🍻
I love that you acknowledged the “sticky” quality of stainless strings. I tried them and noticed that, and then comments on line did not reflect my opinion. Thank you for letting me know it wasn’t my imagination !
I would expect a much better comment about the Flatwounds, maybe try some real good ones like the D'Addario Chromes ECB80 instead of the Rotosounds. I play these on all my basses incl. my acoustic one, but not on the Steinberger, on which I use LaBella Flatwounds with double ball ends. Everybody that tries my basses is amazed about the playability and the sound of the D'Addarios, two bass playing friends of mine switch to Flatwounds recently. In fact players like Paul McCartney, John-Paul Jones, Bill Wyman and many others use Flatwounds on their basses. Haven't you seen Julia's smile when she played them ?
I appreciate the tedium involved with all the string changes, and thank you Julia, for playing the same phrases over and over, you were pretty rock-steady and nearly identical each time. Perhaps in another episode you could do a comparison of tonality for fretless bass with various types and brands. Thanks for this comparison, it was very useful. Best regards.
Thanks a lot! Needless to say how thrilled I was when I asked Julia to do this and she agreed on it. It was a lot of work but we all believe it's a useful video for many. Cheers! //Kris
Thanks for the great format of pros and cons and top observations + playing the same licks for each set of strings. Really helps delineate the differences!
Really helpfull overview for strings you did there. I have one point to add regarding the Elexir Nanoweb coated strings. From my experience they also have reduced friction, which I really like for sliding or when you playing a lot of fingerstyle. So much more comfortable for me, especially because I'm mainly a guitar player and only pick up my Basses now or then (another argument for coated string for me). I also tried some coated Boomer, but there you don't have that advantage. I'm guessing they only have the outer wire coated and not the whole strings.
There's NO strings that sound "new" throughout its "life time". If they didn't we wouldn't need to change strings and the string manufacturers would go bust.
Honestly I've played a myriad of strings and the best by far as far as comfort , tone , longevity , versility are basic nickel / round wound D'ADDARIO !
It’s been years since I played bass, but I remember when I would play with any band, I would always play with a Fender P Bass, last bass I owned being a Fender Black Top P Bass, which was an amazing bass and I honestly wish I never sold it, since it’s nearly impossible to find new nowadays. For strings, I use either DR Hi Beams, or Dean Markley Blue Steel, depending on the sound of that particular band. I couldn’t stand Black Beauty strings. While they do sound great out the box, they feel terrible when you wear them in. They were actually painful to play. I tried them 3 times and just couldn’t justify the pain I started feeling over time. As for my gauge size, it was always .45, .65, .85, .105. This was due to always turning in E flat and sometimes dropping my E string to C sharp. It worked for me and basically every band I played in. They all agreed to the tuning of at least E flat. Great video. Definitely a nostalgia rush for me personally and I liked hearing what different strings offered.
As a 'recovered audiophile' and producer, I'm struck how pointlessly similar (despite being pointlessly differentiated too) all these strings sound on expensive headphones. There is nothing to choose between these strings that a twist of a knob at the amp or board would not rectify more completely and more purposefully. Of course, most all of them could and 'would' be...attenuated by employ of a P bass instead, wherein they would also be caused to sound pointlessly similar, but at least they would not protest ambitions beyond what a bass player is allowed in terms of its rightful musical entitlement to sonic real-estate in a mix instead of migrating. The better endeavour would be to describe the strings' feel! That would better service an improvement of play to match the improved tone come of JUST TURNING A KNOB! A strings 'perceived' tension, flexibility, stability, responsiveness, and uniformity, both up and down and 'across' the strings, would quickly sort them out!
I’m a guitar player recently acquired a p bass. Put EB cobalt strings on it. I like the smooth feel of flats. But the sound - nope. I learned here they are scooped midrange and suited for high gain. No wonder I don’t like them! Thanks for the review. Might try DR pure nickel next.
I prefer flatwound since I got into those on guitar first (see my Jaguar profile pic, flats are a must on the threaded bridge saddles). I like the smoother feeling over roundwounds (on bass the low E winding feels huge to me) and the slightly darker tone.
You did not include nylon coated electric bass strings, which have a unique sound of their own. Would have liked to hear your comments on those as well!
Most of these sound the same. Differences between materials are minimal. So I guess don't worry about it. Worry about flatwounds vs roundwounds, that was the biggest difference.
For aggressive styles of music ie hardcore, metal, and punk I loved using cobalts. Issues, I noticed they wouldn't last as long as other strings I had used, and from what I remember they were limited in the lengths you can get. So extended range players are a little out of luck.
Don’t wanna read through all the comments, but this also apply to PBass and other types of basses such as active? Great video! I’m a GHS Boomers medium
Appears to be a virus on my phone that multiples my responses. So if that offended anyone get angry at youtubes hackers. I've no more £Ucks to give. Let them say sorry I had nothing to do with it.
I've been listening to a lot of these videos lately, and this one sounds like it was produced underwater. I think all we're hearing is the signal chain.
Rotosound Steels all day long. 👌🏿 Great for Graphite Basses. I'm using the Optima E-Bass 24K GOLD Unique Studio and the Chrome Unique Studio Bass Strings at the moment. Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
As I'm getting older I'm definitely appreciating flats a lot more. Can't beet the vibe of a passive bass strung with flats. I always have an active bass with nickels and a passive with flats when I turn up at any gig.
I have found with SS strings on bass, it was LIKE having a chorus pedal on all the time. Too much upper partial with less fundamental! However, I LOVE SS guitar strings! Not so much uppers on thinner strings. But more elastic @ the same guage/tensions than nickel doped steel, which is stiffer!
Why did you talk so shortly about the flatwounds? I watched the whole thing hoping you would bust or confirm the legend saying that they last like forever :/ great vid though, ofc :)
I wouldn't know a good bass string from a bad 1. Lucked into a Dr Tech bass for $80. Fixed it all up as it had a little bow in the neck. Decided to get some new strings for it. Found a 3 pack deal for Fender x light red pack on Ebay. For $18. Got them thinking a string is a string. When they showed up it was 4 packs and I haven't changed strings in since. But don't use this bass much. As I'm a guitar player. With 4 very different guitars and each has specific string set for each guitar. These Fender bass strings work. That's all I know. Interesting video to maybe learn something about my bass.
In just one video we learn a lot, bass strings are very expensive, double for flat wound, gold some at 74euro!! I'm missing the ghs that I had and were doing well, well done to you ♥
dont hear much diference, i think there is so much coloration in the amp section, i dont know if you mike the amp or recorded directly, but for what i hear is the amp speaker
I use a small trolley as my gig bag to drag around. I play double bass going from pizz to arco, electric bass, acoustic bass with pickups so I always use an Ernie Ball volume pedal. I always use an LR Baggs preamp to sculpt my sound. I carry a 9 led light and an extra smaller one if a band mate needs one. I have a small baggie of extra batteries for all my equipment. Cloth pins as wind clips as even air conditioning can disturb music charts. I have nail clippers, finger nail files, bandages, and baby powder for clammy hands. Pencils and scotch tape are a necessity to share for marking up music, taking notes, and taping music. I like the older Kong tuners. I love and have learned a lot from your Utubes Julia.
Hi. Thanks for this Information-boost. I'm wondering what Strings to use on my fretless to realize this singing-fretless-sound. And second: what will flatwounds do to the fretless-sound?
I'm glad you mentioned that steel wound strings are actually lower output. I have come to the same conclusion in my experience, but many other outlets, forums, and brands claim otherwise.
what a great playing, i really enjoying it, and thx for all the infos. I think all types of strings and brands can be interesting and enlightening to play around with. There is a lot to discover. My recommendation for all Drop D players: Fodera - Medium Heavy "E" Nickel-Roundwound (45, 65, 85, 110) 🖖
Can someone explain me what tapper wound strings are? They are not in the video The ibanez K5 signature bass says in the description that u should use tapper wound strings
Great video. I had thought I had already known everything about bass strings and learned a lot from this video. But: Tapewounds were not introduced. Missed that one or was it on purpose?
You guys forgot about tapewounds and pressurewounds. Tape wounds work great in toning down an overly bright bass ie. Swamp Ash Body, Maple Neck, Steel Bridge, brass or bone nut. You get the picture. The pressure-wounds(also called ground-wounds) are great for getting the traditional Motown sound out of an otherwise dark bass ie. Basswood or Mahogany Body, Rosewood fretboard, Brass Bridge and Bone or Graphite nut. They are just a pinch brighter than Flatwounds so they do have a time and place. Otherwise a pretty good tutorial, thanks.(note: this statement contains factual inaccuracies which I correct below in subsequent conversation. I have left it as originally posted so as to maintain the continuity of the conversation)
@@stephenshoihet2590 The ones I buy are called GHS Pressurewounds. They are made by taking a large diameter roundwound string and grinding it smooth, like a flatwound. This type of string construction is not mentioned here. They have a bit of a niche application, but if you need them they work wonders, and that is why I brought it up.(note to any readers, please read my comment below concerning strings and construction techniques. This statement I made here is factually inaccurate but I left it intact as it relates to the direct response below and to my subsequent comment. I decided that editing this comment to correct the inaccuracies would make the conversation completely unintelligible so I have left it as originally posted, warts and all)
@@jomamma1750 ghs pressure wounds are not ground, they're put through rollers that flatten the outer windings, hence the "pressure" in pressure wound. Pressure wound strings generally feels smoother than ground wound strings. Ground wound strings are mentioned here, they're the d'addario half round strings.
@@stephenshoihet2590 Ok, What I did was to get the Nomenclature incorrect, hence the confusion. The GHS Strings that I use(besides Boomers) are called Brite Flats. They ARE groundwounds. However, unlike the description given in the video the GHS version does not sit halfway between rounds and flats on a tonal scale. They sit only slightly brighter than true traditional flatwounds. They are also absolutely smooth and feel essentialy identical to a true flatwound. Hence the confusion as I have never used D'addario's "half rounds". I have also never knowingly used Pressurewounds, which sit much closer to the halfway point on a tonal scale than the Brite Flats, according to the manufacturer. I, therefore, had made the incorrect assumption that what he calls "half rounds" in the video were indeed pressurewound strings. Having never played that type of string I have no frame of reference as to the feel under the hands and the implication in the video is that the "half rounds" are not glass-smooth. Brite Flats are glass-smooth. So that does leave 2 styles of string construction, Tapewound and Pressurewound, unmentioned in this video. There may very well also be a considerable tonal difference between D'addario's "Half Rounds" and GHS's "Brite Flats". These differences in tone amongst manufacturers will stem from somewhat different construction techniques and, at times, radically different metallurgies used.
Hola Kris, quisiera saber si nos podrías enseñar en un video a instalar un Capacitor Treble Bleed en un potenciómetro de Volumen de una guitarra Stratocaster por favor. Estaré atento. Saludos y Gracias!!!
Thanks for investing all the time to restring the bass. This viedo will definitely help choosing the right type of bass strings. Maybe you could make a video about inspecting a new guitar after receiving it, when shopping online.
Thank you so m much for this video. It's impossible for us to try all those strings, but they are expensive, and buying the right strings is very important.
