Mixing sets

[Brenton Carter]

What are your opinions on mixing sets of strings to benefit your overall sound? How do your combinations fair on balance across the strings, tension, evenness in all registers, volume, timbre, health of the instrument etc.?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Brenton Carter

What are your opinions on mixing sets of strings to benefit your overall sound? How do your combinations fair on balance across the strings, tension, evenness in all registers, volume, timbre, health of the instrument etc.?

In a perfect world, there would be one set of strings that works perfectly on every bass, maybe.. lol

The fact is that even some of the most expensive basses in the world have mixed sets or at least a different E-string.

The bass is a difficult instrument to sound well in all registers. Mixing strings often helps make up for what a bass may lack.

I myself have used various Es mixed with regular Flexocor 92s. These include besides the matched 92 E, a Stark 92, a Permanent and an old Eudoxa Flatchrome now re-formulated and re-named as Original Flatchrome. Those are just my tests with 92s on the upper 2 or 3.

Basses with a less bright or clear E needs something brighter. I think that the OFC would make a good match to 92s on the bottom if you need it slightly brighter. The Perm is a notch brighter yet to my ear.

So, without listing dozens or various 'mixes', it is perfectly normal to mix sets as needed to get the best out of your bass.

I would suggest however asking opinions before doing so as this can get quite expensive. Also, not all opinions will weigh in evenly. It depends on who is giving it, what bass that experience is on and what type or playing is needed from you as compared to the advice giver.

[Brenton Carter]

here's some i've used:

Flexocores G, D & A with a Permanent E
Flexocore G, Flat Chromesteel D & A, Permanent E
Permanent G & D, Spirocore A & E (a la Edgar Meyer)
Flexocore G & D with Original Flexocore A & E (a la Max Dimoff)

right now i'm using all Flexocores... i'm really happy with it for now. i'm planning on doing the Flex with the Original Flexes in them sometime in the future maybe.