Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings
Complete sets are listed in the sections below. Individual acoustic bass guitar strings can be found in the Single Strings section.
We carry acoustic bass strings made by C.F. Martin, D’Addario, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, Fender, Rotosound, SIT and Thomastik-Infeld.
Acoustic bass guitar strings are available in both phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze. Phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings have a warmer, richer tone than 80/20 bronze strings. 80/20 bronze acoustic bass strings are brighter and crisper sounding than phosphor bronze. Most acoustic bass guitar strings are for long (34 inch) scale instruments.
Some acoustic bass players prefer the tone of black nylon tapewound strings, which are available in the electric bass guitar section. Black nylon strings will allow you to get a sound like a double bass from your acoustic bass guitar. Other players prefer to use electric bass guitar strings, rather than acoustic bass strings, on their acoustic bass. These strings, which are either stainless steel or nickel wound, give a brighter tone than bronze wound acoustic bass guitar strings. Players who prefer flatwound strings also opt to use electric flatwound sets on their acoustic bass guitars. Using electric flatwound strings on an acoustic bass guitar is not recommended unless you will be playing with an amplifier, since acoustically, they will sound very dull. If you are changing the strings on your acoustic bass for the first time, you may want to stick with regular acoustic bass guitar strings.
The first acoustic bass guitar produced for sale was the Ernie Ball Earthwood bass, introduced in 1972. Ernie Ball wanted to provide bassists with an instrument that matched the tone of acoustic guitars better than the electric bass. The design of the Earthwood bass was largely based on the Mexican guitarron, the large acoustic bass guitar used in Mariachi bands. The Earthwood was developed jointly between Ernie Ball and George Fullerton of Fender fame. It was much larger (both deeper and wider) than current production acoustic bass guitars, giving it a richer and deeper tone.
Acoustic bass guitar strings are available in both phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze. Phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings have a warmer, richer tone than 80/20 bronze strings. 80/20 bronze acoustic bass strings are brighter and crisper sounding than phosphor bronze. Most acoustic bass guitar strings are for long (34 inch) scale instruments.
Some acoustic bass players prefer the tone of black nylon tapewound strings, which are available in the electric bass guitar section. Black nylon strings will allow you to get a sound like a double bass from your acoustic bass guitar. Other players prefer to use electric bass guitar strings, rather than acoustic bass strings, on their acoustic bass. These strings, which are either stainless steel or nickel wound, give a brighter tone than bronze wound acoustic bass guitar strings. Players who prefer flatwound strings also opt to use electric flatwound sets on their acoustic bass guitars. Using electric flatwound strings on an acoustic bass guitar is not recommended unless you will be playing with an amplifier, since acoustically, they will sound very dull. If you are changing the strings on your acoustic bass for the first time, you may want to stick with regular acoustic bass guitar strings.
The first acoustic bass guitar produced for sale was the Ernie Ball Earthwood bass, introduced in 1972. Ernie Ball wanted to provide bassists with an instrument that matched the tone of acoustic guitars better than the electric bass. The design of the Earthwood bass was largely based on the Mexican guitarron, the large acoustic bass guitar used in Mariachi bands. The Earthwood was developed jointly between Ernie Ball and George Fullerton of Fender fame. It was much larger (both deeper and wider) than current production acoustic bass guitars, giving it a richer and deeper tone.
