String Recommendation

afranks · Post by **afranks** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:57 pm

Hi. I'm new to the forum, and to fretless bass.

I recently purchased a 'modified' Ibenez SDGR (SR800 I believe) with AFR-P & J pickups and a Crate BT 100 amp. The bass came with round wound strings.

I can get a lot of useful sound out of this set up, but would like to get more of a 'woody' sound for some things.

Also, do active pickups and nylon strings play well together?

Thanks,

Al

FretLessSince68 · Post by **FretLessSince68** » Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:33 pm

A "Woody" sound is actually difficult to get from a typical solid body electric bass. You also mention nylon strings, these two factors indicate that you might want to audition a bass with a piezo P/U for a more acoustic tone and will work with non-magnetic nylon strings. If you play at all loudly I would advise that you stay away from acoustic basses with a large body, these are prone to feedback. Piezo P/Us are also available on solid body, or semi solid body instruments.

Regarding

do active pickups and nylon strings play well together?

If the strings are 100% nylon, they will be invisible to the magnetic P/Us and will not work. If the strings are nylon or Teflon wrapped, then yes, they will work fine and I think they sound more like a standup bass than other electric bass strings. Nylon/Teflon wrapped strings do have lower tension so some technique alteration may be required.

Search this forum for "Strings" to get more information on the subject.

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redbeardred · Post by **redbeardred** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:06 am

sadowsky flats are the woodest.

FretLessSince68 · Post by **FretLessSince68** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:35 pm

There is some excellent discussion on this topic at TalkBass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=687911