Bass strings suggestions.

MrJaymz44 · #1 02-28-2011, 12:37 PM

Hey there, I'm new here! I've been a guest for a while on this amazing site, and I think the time has come to write something 'bout me, AND to ask some suggestions...

First, being a newbie here, I'd like to shortly introduce myself.
I'm 16 and have almost 2 years of Bass experience; I play in my Praise&Worship band in church and in the church orchestra; and I have an Epiphone Embassy Standard V (5 strings).

We've never had any real "sound-man", so I had to learn by myself some EQ-ing and stuff; and I must say that with "just" a Peavey MAX115 (EQ B4, M5-6, Shift 200Hz and H2-3) I've kinda found the "right" tone for the church and the eternal fight with the Piano. :P

Well let's skip to the question, 'cause I don't want to bore you.

It's time to change strings, and with my birthday I've got some money saved; I've tried the Warwick Red Labels (very nice strings for me, at such a low price O.O) and Ernie Ball Flats (another nice tone; I kinda love all the sounds, from Flats to Pressurewounds to Super Steels

).

Now the question is: "With a not-so-high budget (20-25€), are there some nice strings which can help me cutting a little more in the church sound?"

Obviously I do know that there are much more important things than the strings to determine a Bass player's tone, but I also know that they help a little.

Thanks for any suggestions/criticism!

P.S: I'm a Romanian who was born in Italy and still lives there, so sorry for the possible mistakes. :P

P.P.S: I forgot to tell you that at home I love to play funk-rock (especially RHCP) and Metal and derivates (Metallica, Iron Maiden and Maximum The Hormone in primis).

See ya!

bassist4dalord · #2 02-28-2011, 12:45 PM

Stainless steel strings will help in the "cutting" department, with a little zing. I had a set of DR Stainless Lo Riders on my 4-string P-Bass, and I liked them a lot.

MrJaymz44 · #3 02-28-2011, 12:52 PM

Yes, I think so, too; but don't they lose that "zing" after a while?

capnsandwich · #4 02-28-2011, 12:53 PM

DR High Beams are good. I like the Sadowsky blue label bright nickels myself but they're a little out of that price range. Well, I don't know though because you're stating in pounds and not dollars so they may be in your budget. Check them out.

MrJaymz44 · #5 02-28-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

DR High Beams are good. I like the Sadowsky blue label bright nickels myself but they're a little out of that price range. Well, I don't know though because you're stating in pounds and not dollars so they may be in your budget. Check them out.

Thanks, I'll check those too!

Actually "€" is for Euro, the currency in most of Europe (Italy included)

I thinks it's "1 Euro = 1.4 U.S. dollars", or something.

capnsandwich · #6 02-28-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJaymz44

Thanks, I'll check those too!

Actually "€" is for Euro, the currency in most of Europe (Italy included)

I thinks it's "1 Euro = 1.4 U.S. dollars", or something.

OK, then a set of Sadowsky bright nickels for a 5'er usually cost anywhere between $30-$35. that would equal about 25 Euros, but then there's shipping so that may put you over. High Beams are about the same price. Dunlops, on the other hand, are a bit cheaper but are pretty decent strings for the money. Check out www.juststrings.com. They have a good selection of strings.

Double Agent · #7 02-28-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJaymz44

Yes, I think so, too; but don't they lose that "zing" after a while?

All roundwounds lose their zing after a while. DRs hang onto their zing longer than a lot of others though, definitely longer than Rotos do.

MrJaymz44 · #8 02-28-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Agent

All roundwounds lose their zing after a while. DRs hang onto their zing longer than a lot of others though, definitely longer than Rotos do.

Well, I do know that they lose the zing, but let's say I can't buy a new set every 2-3 months; I am going to have a dead, flat-ish sound, right? Maybe Pressurewounds will mantain their "little zing" a little more?

Thanks for the replies, and sorry for me being so noob ;(

GroovinOnFunk · #9 02-28-2011, 04:02 PM

Don't know about how long they last yet... but I hugely recommend Dean Markley SR2000. Here in the states they are really cheap, and sound simplay AMAZING!

Hopkins · #10 02-28-2011, 05:05 PM

I use D'Addario EXL230's .055-.110 They are heavy and high tension, so not for everyone but man do they sound huge.

dune2k · #11 02-28-2011, 05:17 PM

I don't know how much they charge for shipping to Italy, but the 10€ (nickel plated steel) strings at Thomann.de are really nice.
Pretty bright at first with a slight mid bump.
If you really like the Ernie Ball Flats' sound: D'Addario Chromes are said to have a similar sound & are cheaper/easier to come by in Europe. Keep in mind that they have a really high tension though!
Also relatively cheap (at least here in Germany) and good: Rotosound 66.

mmbongo · #12 02-28-2011, 06:13 PM

+1 on DR!

MrJaymz44 · #13 02-28-2011, 11:53 PM

So thanks a lot everybody for the suggestions; I'll make a list and go and gather Info about DR Super Steels and D'Addario Chromes, which I've heard lots of positive feedback here.

MrJaymz44 · #14 02-28-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJaymz44

So thanks a lot everybody for the suggestions; I'll make a list and go and gather Info about DR Super Steels and D'Addario Chromes, which I've heard lots of positive feedback here.

Sorry I meant DR Stainless... .-.

LilloEsquilo · #15 03-01-2011, 07:17 AM

I would just caution you on the stainless, check for fret wear. They started to eat my frets so I took them off and put nickle-coated strings back on. They sound terrific with great punch but it's just not worth it to me to have to do a fret job after 6 months.

MrJaymz44 · #16 03-01-2011, 11:40 AM

Ok thanks; well, I think I'll take the Chromes, because the concept of "Brite Flats" sounds really interesting

) the higher tension will affect a lot my playing? (the previous flats I had were 55-105 I think so the tension was much higher than the Red Labels which I have now (40-100), so I am kinda used to

)

ModulusQ5-122 · #17 03-01-2011, 11:56 AM

Chromes are great.

JMorrison · #18 03-01-2011, 12:03 PM

I've been using DR for years, they sound great right out of the pack & with age they take on a little more mellow tone. I love them both ways.

intheory · #19 03-01-2011, 12:05 PM

lots of great suggestions-I've been using D'addario Pro Steels for many years-love the bright tones and super mid range-just a suggestion-they have a great price point too.

-Dan

MrJaymz44 · #20 03-01-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

Chromes are great.

Are the "Brite Flats" rumors true? I mean, are they really flats (with all the pros of the flats) but with a bright tone which stays over months? I saw a demo on YouTube a couple of days ago with some really old chromes (4 years or so), and they had an unusual brightness added to the mellow tone of the flats. O.o