Thomastik Acoustic Bass Set AB344

I got these strings for an acoustic bass. The bass was originally set up with D'Addario phosphor bronze strings which are extremely bright and clanky.

The Thomastik strings were a HUGE upgrade, at least for sound quality. They make the bass sound more like a BIG classical guitar, which of course may not be what you're looking for. Personally I love this sound. It's by far the most beautiful sounding acoustic bass strings I've ever heard. None of that overly bright, clanky sound I have gotten from other phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings.

The downside is that these Thomastik strings have EXTREMELY low tension (Thomastik Jazz flats feel stiff by comparison!).

I use them on a short scale so I supposed they would be slightly tighter on a long scale but still, VERY low tension.

They also roll under the fingers like acoustic guitar strings. This was extremely weird at first and will require a slightly different technique. I got used to it after a while but it still feels weird if I haven't played them for a while.

So, expect some time to adjust. These strings are definitely not for everyone but if you can adapt to VERY low tension and the rolling under the fingers they are by far the most beautiful acoustic bass strings I've ever used. I actually found acoustic basses pretty useless before I discovered these strings. Now I use acoustic bass in the studio all the time. And not just for acoustic songs!

Highly recommended for SOUND but you really won't know if you like them before you've tried them. At least expect some time to adapt.

These are nylon core strings and although another European maker makes them too, there is no comparison. For use strictly with piezo based pickups, these have a lovely rubbery feel and sound. Very low tension which for many players is a bit difficult to deal with initially. if the more organic DB type sound is what you want then there is nothing like these. I've been using them for years but find some of Thomastiks products can be a little variable in quality. I accept that one pack in every five or so is not up to standard and even though they are costly, as above, there is nothing to rival them. Because of the construction, a lot of the metal to metal/string noise to fret/piezo quack is reduced without having to turn the treble right down. On a fretless, they are great. Truss rods will need to be backed off when using these after steel core strings.

I have cheapie cheap acoustic bass, a Chinese made Cheetah, and I have put cheap strings on it thinking for a £65 guitar it's not worth spending half the value of the guitar on strings but I could not have been more wrong. After not playing it for months because it sounded tinny and out of tune above the 5th fret I decided to take the plunge (it was that or throw it away!). The difference was immeasurable! It now has a lovely warm tone and is it tune throughout the neck. So if you have had even the most passing fancy with these strings but were put off by the cost, fear not...they reward you no end?