Bass strings....

[Rich]

I think maybe this was already discussed... But, sometimes I don't pay attention.

I got a terrible set of bass strings the other night and they suck!!! They sound like shit!!! I've been trying to find something nice sounding. But keep tripping over my own ass... My main git is a "5'er"...

What do the bass players of the "RP" use???

Thanks guys!!! (And girls, sorry!!! )

[bassist_25]

Dean Markley Blue Steels
DR Coated Black Beauties
Ernie Ball

Those are my three primary choices. I prefer a steel string. There's really no science to picking strings. You just have to try them until you find something that you like.

[bassgirl]

Rotosound Swing 66

I've also tried D'Addario, but so far, Rotosounds are my favorite.

[IN-BASS]

For years I used Dean Markley SR2000 Med Lights... .46 to .125. Great string, Taper wound at the bridge, real bright and poppy, made my Warwick sound like a piano.

But last year I got a string sponsorship from SIT and have been using a custom set of nickel taper wounds, .45 to .130 ... and I gotta say these strings are awesome. Same brightness, same feel overall... but they last so much longer.

Before I would have to change my strings every 2 or 3 gigs... now... I change em about twice a month.

[MeYatch]

I think maybe this was already discussed... But, sometimes I don't pay attention.

I got a terrible set of bass strings the night and they suck!!! They sound like shit!!! I've been trying to find something nice sounding. But keep tripping over my own ass... My main git is a "5'er"...

What do the bass players of the "RP" use???

Thanks guys!!!

what kind of strings did you use?

I'm sure between all the bass players on here we have to have tried almost every set of string in existence, so we might be able to lead you in the right direction if we knew what strings you used, and what you didn't like about them.

That said, I like Ernie Balls, but I'll get by on pretty much any roundwound string by a quality manufacturer.

[Rich]

Well, first of let me say this... I live in a shitty town with a shitty music store with a wiener for a counter man... He's a turd. (But they use to have a guy that really took care of the customers and knew what you wanted. But he quit!!! ) They never have the same thing in stock twice in a row... And of course I wait till the last minute to do anything... And they never have the shit you want, when you want it. Nor can/will they/he answer any questions you ask. (Long story.) So, it's partly/mostly my fault.

I used to use "Smiths" till I couldn't get them locally anymore. I loved those. And now I've just been bouncing around trying to find something I like. I use "Med/Lights" as well ...

I've tried Elixer's, Ernie Ball, Dean M, SIT.... (Kinda puttin'em to the test.) But this time, I tried "D'Addario" ... YUCK!!! They are real "tinny" sounding, NOT "bright"... No matter what you do. And I HATE THAT!!! I'm a warm and fuzzy kinda guy with some "pop"... I think the "DM's" and the "EB's" were the better of those.

The "D'Add's" just sound like SHhheeee-IT!!! No more "D'Adds" for this cowboy!!! BLAH!!!

[thebattle]

I use rotosound flats

[JackANSI]

Second on the the opinion of D'Addarios. They make a good guitar string, but bass, yuck.

I actually really love the Elixirs in light or super light (nanoweb only). Their new sound isn't anything to write home about, but after six months of playing they usually sound pretty much like they did new. And they really have saved my fingers some wear and agony.

My favorite strings before Elixirs were Thomastik-Infeld.


If you aren't finding the definition in notes you want (they all sound boomy and the higher strings don't punch through), try a smaller guage.

If your strings feel 'sticky' or 'slow' chances are you are using steels and a switch to nickel might do you good. Or if you have to use steels, switch to a smaller guage.

Just be sure that you know if your body chemistry produces a high alkaline or acidic sweat. (If your TV remote (1-3 years), car steering wheel (1 year), or video game controller (6 months of heavy playing) is worn very glossy and smooth (and it didn't start off that way) after the time suggested.) You'll want to only use stainless strings. Your sweat will attack and destroy the nickel strings after about 2-4 weeks.

Some people can have an adverse reaction to nickel strings. I get unstable calluses (tend to seperate painfully, shortly after forming) from nickel strings. The coating on the elixirs have eliminated that for me and I get to keep that thick nickel sound. The coating does wear off, but very slowly, unless you use a pick (probably one ot two songs and where you pick will be uncoated).


Also after a switch in guages or even material (steel/nickel) you'll need to adjust the truss rod tension and intonation. So once you find a string/guage/metal that works, stick with it. Even if you have to buy your strings online or order them in advance at the local shop. Store the extras in a cedar chest if you have one, that seems to work well for me.


Some companies use hex cores, you need to be really careful about how you string up with those. You have zero margin for twists while stringing them up. I've not been able to tell the difference in core shape on the end production of tone.

[moxham123]

Since I play a Steinberger, it is not easy to find double ball end bass strings all the time and not all manufacturers make them. I have to settle for what I can get and they are expensive. Since no music stores in the region stock double ball end bass strings, I either have to buy them online at Musician's Friend or look on ebay to get them and stock up. Here are the strings I have used the most over the years.

* LaBella - My favorite sounding bass strings ever and very durable. They also feel comfortable to play. These are the strings I try to find.
* Rotosound - The longest lasting strings I used. They start out sounding bright when brand new and warm up over time. They are coarsely round and rough on the fingertips but I really liked the sound.
* GHS - Nice bass tones with these strings but not the longest lasting.
* D'Addario - My least favorite of the bunch but the heavier gauge is the only way you can get a deeper, less birght, tone.

Another thing I found is that bass strings that taper off to a single strand over the bridge tend to last much longer and not break. The strings that are wound the entire length. including over the bridge, wear out from friction and break easier.

[orangekick]

DR Hi-Beams as often as possible.

[grimmbass]

Woah, what's with all the D'Addario haters on here? I swear by D'Addario strings as the key to my sound...especially the new Pro-Steels....nice, aggressive, piano-clean tone. That being said, strings are a very personal choice. Players who want a warmer tone may not approve of the in-your-face, impossible to ignore high-end of D'Addarios...but that's exactly why I like them.

Another point on bass strings: it's very easy to dial aggressive high-end out of a new set of strings by cutting back on the highs on your eq; it's NOT easy to put highs back into a set of dead or "thuddy" strings.

A few thoughts:
Rotosounds: Not bad strings, but the low notes lack clarity to me with fingerstyle. If i played exclusively with a pick, I'd love em though. I think they're overpriced too.
Dean Markley: Nice mids, but an overall cold feel.
Ernie Balls: Not bad at all...great slap tone.
Curt Mangan: Very beefy strings...they sound great for folks who like more of the warm, round sound!
GHS: Utter garbage. They wear out in a gig or two.

I'm loving the Pro-Steels, but I'm going to try some of the low budget stuff in the near future. Anybody out there use Carvin or Peavey strings?

K

[bassist_25]

Another point on bass strings: it's very easy to dial aggressive high-end out of a new set of strings by cutting back on the highs on your eq; it's NOT easy to put highs back into a set of dead or "thuddy" strings.

Truer words have never been spoken. I've always said that it's easier to cut frequencies that I don't want than try to dail in frequencies that aren't even there to begin with at the input level. Also, I don't think I've ever bought a set of D'Addarios, but I've liked the sound of them on every bass I've played that had them strung up.

A few thoughts:
Rotosounds: Not bad strings, but the low notes lack clarity to me with fingerstyle. If i played exclusively with a pick, I'd love em though. I think they're overpriced too.
Dean Markley: Nice mids, but an overall cold feel.
Ernie Balls: Not bad at all...great slap tone.
Curt Mangan: Very beefy strings...they sound great for folks who like more of the warm, round sound!
GHS: Utter garbage. They wear out in a gig or two.

Agree with that analysis pretty much also! However, the "coldness" is why I like the Dean Markleys. They may not be the best string for oldies, blues, or old school country, but I really like them for the style of music that I'm currently playing. Honestly, they are probably the closest sounding thing to the Smiths (I use to use Rockmasters) that Rich likes. Of course, that's all subjective. LOL I'm not a huge fan of Rotosounds. They sound too "old school Entwistle" to me, which I'm not a fan of, and not enough "new school Entwistle" to me, which I love. I agree with the GHS assessment. I love the sound of a brand new set of Boomers. Unfortunately, that sound doesn't last at all. GHSs seem to get this honky mid-range to them after a gig or two.

Anybody out there use Carvin or Peavey strings?

My Icon 5 shipped with Carvins (obviously). I was incredibly impressed with them. They're actually LaBellas, just packaged with the Carvin name on them. They have a great tone and last forever. The cool thing is that Carvin has flat shipping for small parts orders. You really don't save much buying one set of string from them, but if you order a couple packs, you can really save some cash.

The cats down at Robert M. Sides talked to me about ordering a box of DRs in bulk. I did the math of what I would be saving, and it was a pretty decent amount of money. Perhaps I'll do it someday. LOL

[grimmbass]

Paul, I'm starting to think that my brother Otto and I are actually not twins, but triplets and you are the long lost third Tonkin.

[bassist_25]

Does that mean we can throw a party at Tonkin Estates?

[grimmbass]

Yeah, we're going to have a "bassists only" gathering at chez Tonkin;) BYOB (bring your own bass).

Hmmm....actually not a bad idea!

[witchhunt]

Nothing but Rotosound R-S77LD flatwound. Easy on the fingers and frets.

[sunsetbass]

Yeah, we're going to have a "bassists only" gathering at chez Tonkin;) BYOB (bring your own bass).

Hmmm....actually not a bad idea!

i thought you were already working on that?????

[sunsetbass]

thiss is a verty good topic cause i'm also tired of wasting money on shit.

[songsmith]

Players who want a warmer tone may not approve of the in-your-face, impossible to ignore high-end of D'Addarios...but that's exactly why I like them.

K

I started in bands playing bass... my all-time faves were D'Addario XL Reds, which were either copper or copper-clad windings. Closest I ever heard to the bass keys on a piano... big bottom, BRIGHT top-end, and mids leaned toward the higher side. They were beaucoup expensive back in the day, and they literally went dead in ONE GIG, but oh, how they sounded for that gig. They made my old Jap P-Bass shine like it was ten times more expensive. I'm pretty sure they're no longer made, haven't seen them in 20+ years.---->JMS

[DrumAndDestroy]

ernie ball super slinky