Getting a darker tone without flats

[Jared Lash]

I love my new Stambaugh (Nordstrand Fat Stacks/Audere pre) but my D and especially G strings are a bit too bright for my liking. I waited a month to see if the SITs it shipped with would mellow out, but I'm still not happy with the sound. I'm looking for some strings to help get a deeper, darker (more muted top end) sound without going to flats.

Any suggestions?

[bthiemann80]

Fender original nickel wounds. Closest roundwound to a flatwound i've ever come across.

[Jared Lash]

Hmm. I've never tried Fender strings. I might have to give them a shot.

Any other suggestions?

[meev992]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Any other suggestions?

"Deadwounds"

or marinade your strings in butter and barbecue sauce.

[bigd4207]

GHS Boomers are pretty dark and boomy, also fender nylon filament rounds, they're flat by feel, groundwounds, but really low tension and lots of lows

[flyman]

Originally Posted by bigd4207

GHS Boomers are pretty dark and boomy, also fender nylon filament rounds, they're flat by feel, groundwounds, but really low tension and lots of lows

I wouldn't call them dark or boomy, but when I switched from SIT Power Rounds to GHS Boomers, I did get less high end & more bass. This was on a Lakland DJ4.

YMMV.

Regards,
Flyman

[phat5]

BigO, try elixir Nanowebs. They have a nice low/mid sound; almost flatwound like. There's also a new set of Fender 8250's fs in the hdwr/effects forum on TB.

[Jared Lash]

I'm intrigued by the Nanowebs, but I've never used a coated string before. How is the feel? And how is the tension with them?

[JanusZarate]

Ah, Nanowebs.

They feel fine to me - like the average nickel roundwound, but a bit smoother, IIRC. Some people are bugged by the coating, but I think it's more because of how it flakes and peels off slowly over time.

Tonally, they are definitely on the warm side, but they're not dull. I prefer the extra bite and high-mid content of D'Addario XLs, though.

If you ever play pickstyle, you'll hate Nanowebs, since it'll tear through the coating in no time, and they don't seem to be bright enough for a good pickstyle sound, IMHO. Plus, they're a bit pricey for my tastes. Otherwise, they're not bad, especially since they maintain a consistent tone for a really long time. They're great for reining in a tonally bright active bass, IMO, but I'd never use them on a passive bass.

So... they could be something for you to consider.

The only other string in the same tonal camp I've used are GHS Boomers. They go dull pretty fast, IMO. Maybe it was just a dud set... I don't know.

DISCLAIMER: Most of my experience is with bright strings.

[Jim Carr]

You have no doubt explored simple onboard EQ. Though not familiar with the Audere, I do have FatStacks on my Valenti Fretless 5er, with an Aguilar OBP-3 (Nino's design is thus undisturbed, I think).

My feeling is that the FatStacks are not your problem. Have you considered the way that the Audere/FatStack polarity and circuit switching compares with the OBP-3/FatSack possibilites?

Be sure you can get all the possibilites that the Nordy's offer with the Audere. BTW, I don't doubt the Audere's quality, though their old TB Ads put me off big time.


I guess what I am saying is: Yes, change strings, but, the FatStacks can pump so much Gooood Greasy fatness--why are you not finding it there? I don't mean it is YOUR fault. I am just wondering about your pickup/pre compatibility.

You will solve it....

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

I guess what I am saying is: Yes, change strings, but, the FatStacks can pump so much Gooood Greasy fatness--why are you not finding it there? I don't mean it is YOUR fault. I am just wondering about your pickup/pre compatibility.

Believe me, there is nothing wrong with the Audere and Fat Stack pairing. But combined with the body style I had Chris build, they produce a very resonant, piano like tone. It sounds great, I just like something a little darker and a bit more vintage sounding. I'm not unhappy with the sound right now, I'm just being picky.

[CrimsonGhost]

There is ushally a control often refered to as a "tone" knob, turn it counterclockwise,

[ricknote]

One more vote for Elixir Nanowebs. I just ordered 5 more sets
for next years use.
They have a little less zing if that's what you prefer.
I like the fact that no matter how many gigs I do or
how much I sweat on em' they sound the same the next
day. Usually for a couple of months.

They are expensive though, so if you don't want to waste
your money trying them out go to a music store and listen
to them there. I think Ibanez and Schecter both use Elixir
on their nicer instruments.
Shouldn't be too hard to find.

[One Drop]

Maybe try LaBella Deep Talkin' Rounds. They have the same basic tone as the flats, but with the attack of rounds and a bit more top, but no real zing.

[markjazzbassist]

great thread. im kinda in the same boat. i'm using D'addario XL Nickel's with a 69 Fender jazz and they have the right bite and growl, just a little too much top end or high mid.

i might try those fenders. anyone else experience those?

[Groover]

Same boat. Just watching this thread for ideas.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by Groover

Same boat. Just watching this thread for ideas.

you, bigO and I should design some since there seems to be a need and no product in the market

[Mojo-Man]

Ken Smith Compressors.
GHS Pressure Wounds.

Both strings have smooth feel.
Dark tone. with flat/like thud.
Low treble bite.

[phat5]

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

Ken Smith Compressors.
GHS Pressure Wounds.

Both strings have smooth feel.
Dark tone. with flat/like thud.
Low treble bite.

Smith slick wounds are imo similar to GHS pressure wounds....but are the compressors dark and thuddy sounding too?

[ishouldbeking]

I found DR sunbeams to be relatively dark compared to other roundwounds... might be worth a try. Some find them to be too low tension. Doesn't really bother me, and they feel quite nice.