String Questions

Catfishheads · #1 10-14-2008, 09:08 AM

I picked up a used SKB-3005 on Fleabay and am in love. Awesome bass.

I put a set of DR Sunbeams on because that's what I use on my Fender Jazz bass and I love the tone. The tone is great on the Roscoe too (more P sounding than J) but I'm not happy with the B string. It sounds quite different from the other four.

Reading in the strings forum, I'm getting the idea that I need higher-tension strings. I ordered a set of DR Nickel Lo-Riders and will install those soon. The B string is .125.

I'd like to stay close to the DR Nickel tone. Do you think this will work for me? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Gard · #2 10-14-2008, 10:32 AM

The "stock" strings are D'Addario XL Nickel wounds, and the B string is a .125.

I have always thought those sounded very nice on our bass, but personally I use DR Black Beauties (which also have a .125 B), and have always been VERY happy with the tone. However, I tend to prefer a very strong low mid presence, so they are not for everyone....

JOME77 · #3 10-14-2008, 03:06 PM

Welcome to the world of Roscoe Catfish!

I use the stock D'Addario's and love 'em. Gard's suggestion for the DR Black Beauties are great too.

You may want to read through this thread.

What strings on your Roscoe 5er?

It may do more to confuse you more than anything but it will let you know what strings other Roscoe players are using.

PlanetEarth · #4 10-15-2008, 09:37 AM

Ditto, stock DA's here too.

justBrian · #5 10-15-2008, 04:48 PM

I'm with Joe and PE--I love the sound and feel of the stock DAs. They totally changed the character of my SKB3006.

chadds · #6 10-15-2008, 07:12 PM

I use the 130 B . It's available separately or as a set in Sunbeams. It gives me that extra. I can hear and feel the difference and prefer the 130. Actually more balanced to me string to string. You might see if your front pickup is too close or too far away. Subtle but effective. But I'm for the 130.

()smoke() · #7 10-16-2008, 11:36 AM

i think you'll dig the nickel lo-riders...i use those on my fretless jazz, and i use ss lo-riders on my fretted jazz and my LG3005

i'm using the .130 B right now, and i'm VERY pleased with these strings on the LG...the slight stiffness of the lo-riders feels great to me, and i was quite pleasantly surprised at how sweet and musical the high end sounds with the ss strings on this bass

CliffD · #8 10-16-2008, 03:56 PM

So how long do black beauties stay black and do they turn your fingers black after playing for a few hours?

Gard · #9 10-16-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffD

So how long do black beauties stay black and do they turn your fingers black after playing for a few hours?

Other than a few small areas where they contact frets and where you pluck the string most often, pretty much indefinitely. No color ever gets on my fingers.

CrashClint · #10 10-17-2008, 01:49 PM

Right now I am playing a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky 40-60-75-90-125 and they are sounding really good on my SKB. If they hold up well I may keep using them.

For my Fretless it will always be Black Beauties!

Catfishheads · #11 10-18-2008, 09:21 PM

I put on a set of DR Nickel Lo-Riders. G is .045, B is .125. The tone is consistent now. It feels like a bit more tension on the B string. Maybe I'll try some of the other suggestions later. When I bought the bass, it had a set of blacks on it. I thought they were kinda flat sounding, but they may have been very old. Thanks for the suggestions!

CliffD · #12 10-18-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Right now I am playing a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky 40-60-75-90-125 and they are sounding really good on my SKB. If they hold up well I may keep using them.

For my Fretless it will always be Black Beauties!

Are those Ernie Balls taperwound?

CrashClint · #13 10-18-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffD

Are those Ernie Balls taperwound?

No, they are taper wound. Smpugh came over today and played my bass with the EBs and he really liked them as well.

()smoke() · #14 10-23-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfishheads

I put on a set of DR Nickel Lo-Riders. G is .045, B is .125. The tone is consistent now. It feels like a bit more tension on the B string. Maybe I'll try some of the other suggestions later. When I bought the bass, it had a set of blacks on it. I thought they were kinda flat sounding, but they may have been very old. Thanks for the suggestions!

very nice choice

i really dig those strings--i tried the ss primarily because going from nickel back to the ss on my jazz bass always tears up my fingers...playing ss all the time keeps the skin a bit harder

i may eventually go nickel on all my basses, but the sound i'm getting with the ss is great (at least right now!)