Bass Guitar Strings

Navigating the start of your musical journey has enough pitfalls without needing to stress about which type of string you need in order to get the right sound for you. Lets delve into the complexities and armed with the right information help you make the best string choice for you music.

Strings can be broken down into several categories each having an impact on tone and playability.

1. • String Gauge
2. • String Core
3. • String windings
4. • Material
5. • Coatings

String Gauge

String Gauge can be broken down into thickness and length and is one of the primary factors affecting tone and feel.

Generally string gauges range from LIGHT to EXTRA HEAVY. With a standard set of 4 strings being gauge 40-105. The numbers representing the thickness of the string, with an extra heavy set of strings being around 60-120.

Thicker strings will give a deeper lower tone ideal for metal and rock and last slightly longer due to their thickness and durability.

While thinner bass strings will be ideal for crisper, twangier tones better for pop, jazz and country.

If you are a beginner bass player often a standard set of bass strings are better for getting your fingers used to the pressure required to produce a note.

PS check you scale length as some bass guitars require longer strings.

String Core

A string is made from a core with a metallic winding around the core. The type of core has a huge influence on the overall tone of the string. Tone in this case can be broken down to timbre, sustain, flexibility, attack and warmth.

Hex core is often considered a more metal/rock style core with a more modern aggressive attack but is often used across musical genres as the slippage between core and wind is reduced compared to round core strings.

Round-core has a warmer tone with a longer sustain and produces a more classic tone. Round-core was the only choice for many years which is why it often sounds vintage.

Core

1. 1. Round-Core – Often sounding vintage or classic as it was the original core shape, tends to cause some slippage between core and winding.
2. 2. Hex-Core – A modern core design that minimizes slippage by gripping the outer winding, making them better for slapping and tapping. Hex-core strings can have more longevity.

Materials

Often overlooked, the material of any given string can have an impact on tone, durability and overall feel of the string. Modern Manufacturing techniques have allowed the variety of materials to increase giving players greater choice to nail their unique tone and sound while not having to compromise on how the string feels.

1. 1. Nickel-Plated Steel – provides a bright, warmth tone. Good Mid-High range tones.
2. 2. Stainless Steel – An even brighter tone than the nickel-plated string but also has the longevity that only steel can provide.
3. 3. Pure Nickel – Fantastic low end, great warm vintage tones but can be more expensive than their nickel plated brethren.
4. 4. Copper-plated Steel – A more niche material than the rest, copper plated steel strings provide overtones and unusual harmonics.

Coatings

Getting sweaty is a side effect of playing live and strings are often made with the stage in mind. Coatings are the final stage of the string construction and look to protect the core elements from corrosion due to hand sweat which can be oily and acidic. If left uncleaned the strings can become dull and will need replacing earlier and with bass string prices this can become costly. Not all strings are coated and those that are can be more costly, but by increasing the longevity can be more cost effective in the long run.

Scale Length

1. • Long Scale 34″ – Jazz and Precision basses along with most 4 string basses have this scale length.
2. • Extra Long Scale 35″ – Extended range basses such as 5 string basses tend to have this slightly longer scale.
3. • Short scale 30.0/30.5″ – Usually found on kids basses.

Conclusion

There are an absolute plethora of choices and honestly if you are a beginner this may seems a little overwhelming. Ideally if you are just starting out it might be best to get a standard set of strings that fit your bass’s particular scale length. If you have more experience playing bass it might be a good time to experiment and look to improve you overall tone with some smart choices. There is however a cost problem to consider and finding the right bass strings for you and your music might take a few months depending on how often you change them.

If you have any questions about basses, bass strings or any musical instruments please email scan at [email protected] for further support.