Tape wounds....flat wounds...half-rounds...and record the bass through a small guitar amp at a very low volume. Mic and DI and blend.

Would you have to adjust the timing of the tracks to account for phasing issues? If so, which one?

Not generally. The DI is a different type of device than a mic and therefore would not necessarily have a 'phase' issue with a mic. However its always best to try pushing that button and seeing what it sounds like. It may not 'need' it but it might like it.

I get what you meant about the phase flip. What about manually very slightly adjusting the actual time of the tracks forward or back a hair?

Thanks

Personally I use Flat wounds, they have a real good bass tone. D'Addario Flat wounds are really good.

On strings, my favorite brand is TI Jazz flats, but they've become incredibly expensive. I hardly ever change flats, so the cost gets spread over a long time, but it's a heck of a price for an experiment. I've tried LaBella. Good, but I liked the TI better. The D'Addario are close to the LaBella in style and are relatively inexpensive.

ThirdBird, post: 374978 wrote: I get what you meant about the phase flip. What about manually very slightly adjusting the actual time of the tracks forward or back a hair?

That's what I'd recommend, but probably not necessary if you are close micing. We're talking about the time it takes sound to go 2".

TI's. Yes. Thomastiks for those who dont know and yes they are very expensive. But they only get better with age and they have the correct tension for all strings in a given set.

Short story: Years ago I bought a cheap 5 string bass from my friend who owns a high-end guitar shop. It was something he really (at the time) didnt want on display in his place. Its an older Kort. Kinda Fendery....bolt-on neck...cutaway...block bridge....contoured body. Anyway it played ok so I gave him $75 bucks for it. I put a set of Thomastik 5 string med heavy gauge strings on it. They were $70. It sounds great recorded and it aint the bass.

My 'favorite' flat wounds are the Fender Stainless Steels. Cheap and they sound like an old Fender bass should. I use em on my Fretless Jazz.

ThirdBird, post: 374978 wrote: I get what you meant about the phase flip. What about manually very slightly adjusting the actual time of the tracks forward or back a hair?

Thanks

Why not just adjust your mic placement right off the bat?