Best string set for Harmonics

babaseen · #1 05-14-2007, 08:21 AM

Just looking for a specific set of strings (recommendation for manfacturer and type) that provides the best "projection" of harmonics. That being said, it seems that it would typically be a string with high tension, hex core and of couse, SS roundwound, but maybe you have some other experience in this regard...anxious to hear any experiences on this subject. thanx

p.s. this is a fretless bass application (and I do not care about fretboard wear or ease on fingers, pain and wear are good in my book...it's all about tone (period)

Phalex · #2 05-14-2007, 08:55 AM

Ya know, I have Brite Flats on my P and they get better harmonics than rounds on my Ric.

SGT. Pepper · #3 05-19-2007, 08:57 PM

D'Addario XL's or ProSteels.

cash87 · #4 05-19-2007, 11:50 PM

Lo-riders

kherber · #5 05-20-2007, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Ya know, I have Brite Flats on my P and they get better harmonics than rounds on my Ric.

Somewhat the same here. I've got La Bella Jamerson's on the Precision and the harmonics are great, far stronger and cleaner than the Geddy with Rotosound Swings.

Doc

JNW7 · #6 05-22-2007, 08:25 PM

DR hi-beams, i really dont think much can come close to a great set of stainless strings, also im using them on a de-fretted warwick corvette rockbass-rosewood board, and really not getting excessive wear.
-James

babaseen · #7 07-17-2009, 11:23 AM

I'm going to give the LaBella Jamerson's a try on the P-Bass.

rarisgod · #8 07-17-2009, 11:30 AM

Well I love my EB Slinkies on my 5 string, but the XL's flats on my Warwick work nicely as well....

Chipsonfire · #9 07-17-2009, 11:42 AM

Well, I don't know much about what does work, but I can say that Hartke mediums have very weak harmonics. But for $10 a set, what can you expect?

One Drop · #10 07-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaseen

I'm going to give the LaBella Jamerson's a try on the P-Bass.

My experience with the Jamersons is the opposite, FWIW. I find the harmonics muted and not very present.

Hi Beams would get my vote, but I haven't experimented with that many rounds.

deckard · #11 07-17-2009, 03:23 PM

harmonics, tone, period, on a fretless?

Easy: Roto Swingbass or LaBella Hard Rockin' Steel.

Period

bluesblaster · #12 07-17-2009, 05:51 PM

probably has more to do with the pickups than the strings, a two pickup bass with the rear favored over the front is going to make a difference, especially if there single coils. Its a bit harder to get good crisp ringing harmonics out of say a precision bass, mostly because of pickup type and placement.

knuckle_head · #13 07-17-2009, 06:58 PM

String construction and materials really is the larger factor - it's right up there with the integrity of the instrument. The harmonics will be there in the instrument regardless of the electronics. Whether or not you reproduce them THEN becomes an electronics issue.

babaseen · #14 07-17-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckard

harmonics, tone, period, on a fretless?

Easy: Roto Swingbass or LaBella Hard Rockin' Steel.

Period

+1000 (dude seems like you're in the know...thanks for the confirmation)

bluesblaster · #15 07-18-2009, 12:37 PM

certainly the harmonics come from the instrument in and of itself, however I would still contend that certain electronics packages and/or settings will bring them out more so than others. I can get just as good harmonics with flatwound strings (labella and TI,s) on a jazz bass with the front pickup volume rolled back as I can with the same set up with roundwound strings. I cant say the same for my P bass as much as I love it.

babaseen · #16 07-19-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesblaster

certainly the harmonics come from the instrument in and of itself, however I would still contend that certain electronics packages and/or settings will bring them out more so than others. I can get just as good harmonics with flatwound strings (labella and TI,s) on a jazz bass with the front pickup volume rolled back as I can with the same set up with roundwound strings. I cant say the same for my P bass as much as I love it.

My post was in regards to making the assumption that if you had a bass that excelled at producing harmonics in regards to the electronics and construction (and your technique) what string set (manufacturer, type and gauge) would assist in providing some adavntage.

thirtypoint87 · #17 07-19-2009, 09:51 AM

YES, lots of things will affect a bass's ability to produce harmonics (bridge, anyone?) but I've found DR Highbeams to be great strings for this.

bluesblaster · #18 07-19-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaseen

My post was in regards to making the assumption that if you had a bass that excelled at producing harmonics in regards to the electronics and construction (and your technique) what string set (manufacturer, type and gauge) would assist in providing some adavntage.

Take your pick, I,d buy whatever fits your budget.

Cyber Soda · #19 07-19-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deckard

harmonics, tone, period, on a fretless?

Easy: Roto Swingbass or ***blah blah blah***

Period

This.

aggiebass09 · #20 07-19-2009, 10:14 PM

DR Low-Riders gave me a pretty good sound when I used them. Right now I'm using Curt Mangan (http://www.curtmangan.com/) strings and they are really phenomenal!