A bass that sounds “piano-like” isn’t a term that’s used very often, but it’s a good one to know to understand why some bass players hate new strings so much.
You know that there are some players out there who purposely prefer old, used strings. Part of the reason for that is to avoid the piano-like sound.
When you install a brand new set out roundwound strings on a bass, they obviously belt out a bunch of overtones and harmonics, sounding similar to how a low piano string would sound with a bit of “weeeoooowww” tone to it. That’s the piano sound.
Eventually, those roundwound strings will wear in and the piano-like sound will go away. But it takes some time for them to get to that point.
Conversely, a reason why many slap players change out strings often is to keep that somewhat-twangy piano-like sound there.
The piano-like sound is neither good nor bad and more or less depends on your personal tone preference. You either hate it or you love it.
For those of you that hate it specifically, no, tweaking EQ really doesn’t work to “de-twang” roundwound strings (the only thing you’ll get from that is ‘dull twang’, but not the ‘warm’ sound). The way to work in roundwound is to simply play, play, play until they’re eventually broken in to the point where the twang has been worked out of the strings.
Do you prefer old strings for that “darker”/”warmer” tone specifically? Post a comment or two with your thoughts.
Both. I love them both for different reasons. I used to prefer the clean fresh roundwound sound, but it all depends. Often live, it’s frustrating not being heard and I find the rounds help with that, but it depends on the style of music.
darker/warmer
If you don’t want the twang, use flatwound strings.
I switched to flat wound strings for a darker tone, and they sound great to me.
This is why I play D’Addario Chromes flats. They sound fantastic right out of the package.
Flat wound tape wound . Warm and dark .
If you really can’t stand the zing and boing of new roundwounds try switching to flatwounds, I have and I’m never going back.
I slap, and change my strings every month, minimum.
I guess i’m a freak, I love that sound, but what sounds good alone, isn’t great with the band!
+1 on that!
I have one bass with flatwounds (pay for quality, its well worth it) and another with roundwounds, which I change every three months. As well as that, I have a G&L with roundwounds which have not been changed in two years…best of all worlds and moods!
I love the sound of new strings, I hate the other noise that often goes with them, but I love that bright piano sound.
Love that the technology of clear sounding pickups and clear reproducing amps/speakers has given us the choice…. played jazz and rock… gotta have clear sounded rounds for my preferences…
Elixirs have a nice bit of “piano” sound without all the twang and zing of others fresh round wounds. The coating also cuts down on finger screech.
It is more than just the string that create a “piano” like feel. Nut material, bridge material, neck construction, tension on the string, and the player all affect this. A brass nut, neck through construction, high mass bridge, and new strings with a poor player can create overtones and excessive sustain from an instrument that should not be anything near a piano in terms of response and dynamics. Try playing an instrument that has all the above in a live setting through a PA or large cabinet. If your technique is not strong the overtones will stand out and you probably won’t get called back for a gig.
We are bass players and have to lend our role to the rhythm section more so than stand out in front of the mix, unless you desire to be a bass virtuoso, which in this case you probably won’t be getting calls for gigs because you lack the ability to speak fluently with the drummer and any other members of the rhythm section, it is probably best to focus on creating the rhythmic pulse to keep the crowd on their feet.
Allowing strings the time to break in is necessary in seeing what the instrument feels like in terms of playability and tone. Maintaining and cleaning strings can keep strings new in terms of feel, but still allow a proper break in that is considerably more consistent than with dirty old strings, though some like the more funk from the gunk approach and will never clean their strings.
Rounds or Flats, you can get a nice tone and enjoy slap, pick playing and fingerstyle from either string style. I am a firm believer that 85% of a players tone, and unique voicing come from their fingers, pick technique, or slap style and less in terms of the strings, pickups, and preamp that they use. Modify your bass all day to try and sound like your favorite player, and one day perhaps you will see that instead of obsessing about what gear they employ, the time spent playing and practicing to improve on the instrument would have been more worthwhile.
Give me a good broken in set any time!
I have a 60’s bass of unknown make that has had the same set of flatwound strings on since I got it 20 years ago, and it sounds and plays every bit as well as my two custom built basses and my Precision – admittedly, I don’t use it much but I do think it has a very unique tone
The ultimate piano-like sounding pickup is the neodymium Q-tuner. Great with SS roundwounds but not with flats though,