Acoustic Bass Strings?? for B30E

[Stepper]

New to the Forum, but been cruising the posts for a long time. Thanks for all the great info. Bought my first guild in '80, which I still own.

Got a B-30E off ebay last month and I am loving it (couldn't afford a B-50). Played it out several times already and always get great compliments. I believe it to be a '94 (based on Guild website), serial #AB300127.

Pickup was in & out, so I out in a K&K, which sounds great, but is way too sensitive. Should not have done the "super glue" install - just too much. For plugging in, I put it thru a LR Baggs para DI, and then a passive DI and use the -40db cut switch. Also have a Digitech BP 200 that I run it thru that gives a great vibe with some chorus.

The main reason for all the DI boxes, etc. is the huge amount of string noise from the left hand. The guitar has flatwounds on it. The noise is not only finger squeak from sliding up and down fingerboard, but a lot of "string on fret" noise. Just fretting a string is noisy and that is before I plug in. Really makes you work on your technique.

I know there are some folks out there that have been playing these for a long time, so I would love to hear what strings y'all (yes I'm from Texas) are using.

Thanks.


'77 D25M
'75 F112
'66 T100D
'94 B30E

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. I'm not much help. The strings I have on my B-50 are what were on it when I bought it. Hang around long enough and you will understand the jokes about me changing strings. I don't recall which PU I have in it - I will try and check - it is sensitive but I can handle that at the amp. No direct boxes for me yet.

That said, I have way too many basses for someone who plays avocationally but I have noticed switching between any bass with rounds and flats brings out problems with my technique. Curiously my squeak and string issues come from the roundwounds. If I am too lazy to work on my left hand technique to make them go away, I just change to a bass with flats and can pretend I have solved the problem.

All that said, I've heard of folks using nylon wound string on a B-50/30 and being happy with the results.

 

[Stepper]

Well, it is a bass after all. Do you really have to change the strings? )

Thx

 

[Yggdrasil]

I don't care about volume, so I've used LaBella Black tapewounds on the 2 B30Es & the B50 that I've owned.

 

[SFIV1967]

Guild ships the new B-54CE with D'Addario® EXP PBB170 Coated Phosphor Bronze Bass.
Ralf