FAT Beams!!!

FL Knifemaker · #1 03-22-2007, 09:24 PM

I've been through about 5 sets of strings over the past few weeks on my new (to me) Aria Japan jazz bass. I just couldn't find THAT sound. I have TI flats on two other jazz basses and love them but I really wanted a different, round wound sound for the Aria. I hit my local store today to pick up a set of Low Riders for my Rev 5L. I spotted a pack of Marcus Miller Fat beems and decided to give them a try. All I can say is I'm glad I did!! The tension feels perfect and the sound is incredible. I'm not an expert at describing tone but they have what I would call a complex sound. Plenty of punch and tight lows but they also have a nice ZING to them as well. I'm going to picke up a 5 string set for my LeCompte

Marcus, beware

Brad Johnson · #2 03-22-2007, 10:08 PM

I use Fatbeams on most of my basses. They kill.

James Hart · #3 03-22-2007, 10:14 PM

I've started the move as well.... killer strings

robb. · #4 03-23-2007, 05:58 AM

i may have to give these a try. i have enjoyed many DR strings in the past, but many of them end up feeling a little too bright to begin with. from what i've read, maybe the fat beams are worth the time.

robb.

ras1983 · #5 03-23-2007, 07:24 AM

fat beams sound great with my bongo, but to my ears they lack bottom end.

i think they are great 'jazz' strings (i use the term jazz very loosely hear). you can get that very open and organic sound that allows you to solo with clarity, slap with clarity, all while giving enough tension to allow great plucking tone.

if they had more bottom end, they would be the PERFECT string.

i put on a set of GHS boomers the other day (just to try something different), and i am pleasantly surprised. they don't sound quite like the fat beams (i think the GHS are a little more suited to rock, slightly more aggressive than the fat beams) but they provide more bottom end.

Brad Johnson · #6 03-23-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ras1983

fat beams sound great with my bongo, but to my ears they lack bottom end.

i think they are great 'jazz' strings (i use the term jazz very loosely hear). you can get that very open and organic sound that allows you to solo with clarity, slap with clarity, all while giving enough tension to allow great plucking tone.

if they had more bottom end, they would be the PERFECT string.

i put on a set of GHS boomers the other day (just to try something different), and i am pleasantly surprised. they don't sound quite like the fat beams (i think the GHS are a little more suited to rock, slightly more aggressive than the fat beams) but they provide more bottom end.

That's just your bass. It happens.

I put a set on my Bone Avatar six and was shocked that the bass sounded thinner than with the previous strings. The reason I was shocked was because on every other bass I've put them on (more than a dozen, most repeatedly) they sound phenomenal. Those basses are either fives or sixes and the B's sound both open and smooth while being able to go aggressive AND hit like a jackhammer with no tweaking. My low B's on several basses and brands rival synth bass in that regard.

FL Knifemaker · #7 03-23-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ras1983

fat beams sound great with my bongo, but to my ears they lack bottom end.

i think they are great 'jazz' strings (i use the term jazz very loosely hear). you can get that very open and organic sound that allows you to solo with clarity, slap with clarity, all while giving enough tension to allow great plucking tone.

if they had more bottom end, they would be the PERFECT string.

i put on a set of GHS boomers the other day (just to try something different), and i am pleasantly surprised. they don't sound quite like the fat beams (i think the GHS are a little more suited to rock, slightly more aggressive than the fat beams) but they provide more bottom end.

My Aria has a rather powerful preamp. I haven't even adjusted the internal settings. Just a slight bump of the bass boost adds PLENTY of bottom. I might even back down the internal setting to provide a more useable range on the knob. I never felt any lack of bottom with the Fat Beems. I'm going to put a set on one of my passive jazz basses, I might have a different opinion after that

Right now on the Aria..... I'm loving these strings!!

ras1983 · #8 03-23-2007, 04:58 PM

don't get me wrong, i prefer the DR's to the other strings i've tried (EB slinkys, GHS) and will go back to them once the GHS strings die. i'm just saying i wish they had more bottom end on my bass. but i guess thats what the bass knob on the eq is for.