Best strings for Stingray Fingerstyle

[Joe Kyle]

Hey, im picking up a stingray this weekend, and i play mostly finger style with a little bit of slap/thump here and there. I know that these basses are an agressive type, but id like to help keep some of the growliness under control.

I was thinking of DR, either Lowriders or fatbeams.

Then should they be either nickel or SS?

I'm new to the whole stingray thing, but id like to tame the beast.


Kyle

[Bassmingo]

I've found SS to be brighter than nickel, but thats just me. DR's were prob the nicest i've had on my MM

[JTE]

There's nothing inherent in a StingRay that dictates any different string choice than any other bass. The only factor could be that some people find balancing the strings' volumes can be difficult so different brands and/or gauges might come in to play there.

One of the two pre EB StingRays I owned (the '78) had some real propblems with the G string balance, which I solved with Ken Smith Rock Masters. Most sets with a 45/65/85/105 worked, but the 80 A string didn't balance so well. But the other one (a '79) didn't have that problem.

jte

[andrew]

I love Elixir Polywebs on my Stingray. Dunno if the polys are still available though. Didn't think the Nanowebs were anything special on my Stingray though.

DR's always sound good too though. All my passive basses have DR's on them.

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by =weezer=

Hey, im picking up a stingray this weekend, and i play mostly finger style with a little bit of slap/thump here and there. I know that these basses are an agressive type, but id like to help keep some of the growliness under control.

I was thinking of DR, either Lowriders or fatbeams.

Then should they be either nickel or SS?

I'm new to the whole stingray thing, but id like to tame the beast.


Kyle

Fat Beams and Hi beams are very similar but Fat Beams might have a little more mid content so they will probably cut through a mix a little bit better. I've used both and could easily use either or honestly. DR's are great!

Fat Beams and Hi Beams are only available in stainless, the nickel version is SunBeams which are pretty good too. nickel low riders are not as stiff as the stainless steel and they easier on the fingers.

[JonathanD]

If you think the stringray is too bright, try elixers or Nickel strings. If you think it could use some more "piano like" tone try some Ernie ball strings.

Now, don;t decide which strings you like within the first 2 hours of playing them. The EB slinkies take about 2 days (3-4 hours of playing) to start to sound good IMO.

best of luck. I say try them all. Record a song with them new, middle of the road adn old. Then try another set and record them. Then play the recordings over and over until you are satisfied.

[kvane]

Granted I do not have a Stingray, but I do have a Bongo. In my experience (and Chad Beeler's of Bass NW) the only strings that seem to sound great with EBMM's are Ernie Ball strings (go figure). I am a DR fan myself for all my other basses, but the Bongo only seems to like Ernie Balls, and yes, I tried nearly every other brand on it. Again, this is just my personal experience, along with a few others. Obviously, go with what sounds and feels good to you.

[Geddy Claypool]

Love the nanowebs I bought for my dad's. Bright, yet still punchy!

[kmk42019]

Lo-beams...enough said.

[Rev. Cornelius]

DR Sunbeams 45-100 are what I use on my 30th Ann 'Ray.

No cutting the nut. Nice and flexible. Great rock tone.

Rev. C

[Joe Kyle]

Just picked up the bass, and its ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!


im getting my strings tommorrow.

[Bochafish]

Originally Posted by JonathanD

If you think the stringray is too bright, try elixers or Nickel strings. If you think it could use some more "piano like" tone try some Ernie ball strings.

Now, don;t decide which strings you like within the first 2 hours of playing them. The EB slinkies take about 2 days (3-4 hours of playing) to start to sound good IMO.

best of luck. I say try them all. Record a song with them new, middle of the road adn old. Then try another set and record them. Then play the recordings over and over until you are satisfied.

I played Ernie Ball reg slinkies for a long time, and might go back to them. I currently use low riders. I will agree with the above post that both sets sound best to me after a few days of playing. I am trying a nickel set next, I too am trying to tone down the zing and add a little more thump.

[CElton]

The Slinkys always sound good but just die too fast for me. Best strings I have tried have been LaBella Hard Rockin Steels and Hi Beams. Currently strung with the LaBellas and couldn't be happier.

[Joe Kyle]

Hey all, thanks for the input.

The local GC was out of Sunbeams, so i picked up some fatbeams.

PERFECT!!!!

It cut the zing of the bass to the point where it sounds thumpy with the treble at close to flat, and i can get a really nice finger style out of it too.


Although, if i really want thump, i can just go to the SG.

Once again, thanks guys!

[LightGroove]

I'm looking forward to trying out some Fatbeams myself. I've tried the Sunbeams on my 'ray 4 and was very unthrilled. I've actually been disappointed with them up to this point. Very warm and mid focused but no real low or hi end to speak of.

[Reverend_Dan]

I really like stringing my Stingray V with LaBella Slappers. Don't be fooled by the name, pluckers! They're great strings.

[DavePlaysBass]

Sadowsky Blue Nickels are a fat sound nickel string that goes well with finger style.

[resol]

Fat Beams all the way!

[palmaruslongus]

Tried a bunch (DR, EB, D'addario) finally settled on Fender 7150 pure nickel. Mellows it out just enough, put still punchy. YMMV.