Squier Bronco bass mods Ep.11: Strings! Thomastik Flatwounds vs D'Addario Tapewounds

Рет қаралды 1,849

Күн бұрын

In this unsponsored video, we still try different strings on this Squier Sonic series Bronco short scale bass. Trying different strings and different kinds of outer wraps is one of the least expensive and non-invasive ways for dramatically alternating the tone of any bass. Strings play a key role in how a bass sounds and how it feels. In this episode, we will feature flatwounds from Thomastik-Infeld (gauges 100-43) and tapewounds from D'Addario (gauges 105-50).
The bass was recorded direct through a Line6 Pod Go with my usual GK800RB model settings. Level matched, but no EQ or compression was added in post.
The TI flats were strung up and left on for about a week prior to filming. The tapewounds were strung up the day of recording.
00:00 Intro
00:26 Background and setup
03:04 Sonic comparison (Track)
08:07 Assessment
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Пікірлер: 34

@Timelord1980-tt1iy 7 ай бұрын

I really like the tone of the TI flats! I’m newer to bass and have always preferred the sound of round wound but those have me rethinking my stance. This series actually inspired me to get a bronco to try modding and understanding the bass more. Down the road I’m going the get the McKnelly pickup. It comes pre-wired with new pots and sounds really close to a p-bass sound. You can find the set at the home of tone website if you are interested in yet another possible pick up mod. I really appreciate your channel. You have the best short scale stuff on KZfaq.

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching, your encouragement and kind words! The NcNelly looks really cool!

@JMK-kb1yq 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for your in depth analysis of both types of strings. I was curious about tapewounds, but those might not be right for me; as I use cobalt flats (my favorite so far).

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

I've tried to like tapes several times, on several different instruments. They just don't feel right to me. They'll be very different, in terms of feel, to the EB cobalts. But they do have this pseudo-acoustic type of sound that metal strings don't typically get. It's more noticeable in the room than on a recording. Thanks for watching!

@alrightythen214 7 ай бұрын

Awesome work Jonathan, for me the flats with fingers at 25% were the best of the lot, but all were a improvement over the rounds 😊 cheers see you next week!

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

I like that tone setting too! Thanks for watching!

@florabee9283 7 ай бұрын

I really liked the sound of the flats when finger picked! Oh and yes the Mustang seemed to have broader spectrum than the Bronco, but the Bronco does sound great, just different, as one would expect.

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Bronco is sounding pretty good with the TI flats. Nudge the lows on the eq up a smidge and it’s pretty darn close to my mustang. Thanks for watching!

@user-sz5ri3bu2h 7 ай бұрын

Flats🔥

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Yeah man! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@MadJackF1 7 ай бұрын

You got the results I expected from the different strings. It's good to hear the differences back to back. I bet if you reinstalled the split coil Precision pickup and the TIs, you would get a tone very close to the Mustang. FYI, the stock strings are/were the Fender 5250s Nickle Wound .040-.095".

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Re strings. That's what I thought too....but these stock strings have a green inner silk thread by the core that's not found on the Fender short nickels 40-95. I have switched my F bass over to those Fenders and I quite like how they sound and feel! No green silk on them. What I'm not sure of, is whether Squier uses different strings depending on where the bass is headed, distributor-wise, or whether it is more 'Leo Fender' style of 'use up what you have'. The Fender/Squier website for Canada listed them as " nickel plated steel 105-45 last time I looked, as I was curious what they were too. The stock strings on this particular bronco did feel heavier than 95-40 but as to what they actually are....I have no clue! They do feel like nickel, as opposed to stainless steel.

@StevenDoyleLuke 7 ай бұрын

I don't think you can go wrong with either of these bass strings. I use both; TI Flats on my D'angelico Excel and D'addario Tapewounds on my Kay K162 Pro Reissue. I agree the cheapest/easiest way to alter tone is a string change. For this video, on the Squier Bronco, I prefer the Tapewounds (with a higher output pickup, they'd sound great)

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Cool choice! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@MrSparks54 7 ай бұрын

Thomastik flats are nice but too expensive for me. To my ears, Labella Deep Talkin Flats are as good for about half the cost, but that's just my opinion. Thanks Jonathon! Cheers from Utah.

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Labella deep talkin’ flats are quite a bit stiffer than the TIs….and likely as a result, sound thumpier. But yeah, TIs are expensive! Thanks for watching!

@jasondorsey7110 7 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458musicYea, the labellas have a hollow thud that really nails the british invasion vibe...used tapewounds on my vox teardrop for a while and found it to be an interesting compromise between flats and rounds

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Cool variety. I put labellas on my Hofner

@jasondorsey7110 7 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music I had a set of the labella "beatle bass" flats on a '68 silvertone violin bass I had for a few years...shoulda never got rid of that one

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

They need forever to settle in, but when they do, it’s a good sound!

@mikelawrence4849 7 ай бұрын

I would like to use Thomastik strings on this bass, but am confused as to what to buy. It seems that most are 32 ins. scale strings. Is this what I want or something else, The ones you used are the ones I want. Thanks for your work and time.

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Hi! I use the long scale 100-43 (JF344). It’s NOT what thomastik would suggest, however. Their ‘short scale’ version has a 106 gauge E string, which I find too heavy (it’s mostly what I’m used to, there’s nothing wrong with it). I’ve strung several short scale basses with the longs without issue but again, not what thomastik would suggest. With the shorts, I still had flat wraps around the tuning gear, unless you go string through the body. Then it’s perfect. Here’s a link about strings: Find strings that fit your short scale bass - Demo and options for 30”, 28.6” and Hofner kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a6-cY9RzqJPPnmw.html

@mikelawrence4849 7 ай бұрын

Thanks I was hesitant to buy expensive strings without checking with you. Thanks to your great content I will have a very playable and tonally great Bronco bass.@@jonathanwong458music

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

Right on! Best of luck! Thanks for watching!

@waynekerr5645 5 ай бұрын

Jonathan, can you tell me the height you’ve set the stock pickup in this video please? I’ve just ordered some flats for my Bronco as I really like the sound you’ve got out of yours. Regards.

@jonathanwong458music 5 ай бұрын

To keep things consistent in these videos, I have set the stock pickup height to be the same as the fingerboard height minus the fret. Side to side angle is parallel to the body/pickguard (straight across). How you play/strike the string and the sound you’re after may influence the ideal pickup height for you, but I did this to keep things consistent and easily reproducible. Thanks for watching!

@waynekerr5645 5 ай бұрын

@@jonathanwong458music Thanks for the swift reply Jonathan. That’s much higher than my pickup is at the moment, so when the strings arrive tomorrow I’ll give that a go. All the best.

@jonathanwong458music 5 ай бұрын

Best of luck with the new flats! I don’t have the action super low, which also influences p/u height. Hope you like the new strings!

@waynekerr5645 5 ай бұрын

Arrived today and fitted. Wow! They sound great, but more than that the feel is amazing - like a *slowworm’s skin! (*A legless lizard common to Europe). I bought the La Bella strings, as like another poster found the ones you used just too expensive. Thanks again for your help and advice.

@jonathanwong458music 5 ай бұрын

@waynekerr5645 I'm so happy for you! Did you get the Labella low tension or the the Deep Talkin' flats? (Both sound decent, but very different compared to the TIs.....but yeah, TIs are unfortunately VERY expensive) I have never heard of the Slowworm! Sounds like a song name for a fusion song!

@pianokid1373 7 ай бұрын

Did you really put on the 43-100 TI‘s long scales? The short scale version is 43-106.

@jonathanwong458music 7 ай бұрын

I did. I have a few videos talking about this exact topic. Find strings that fit your short scale bass - Demo and options for 30”, 28.6” and Hofner kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a6-cY9RzqJPPnmw.html I’ve been putting the 100-43 set on multiple short scales for years without issue. I didn’t like the 106 E string on the short set. Thanks for watching and asking!