good pick tone

SiReZ · #1 12-10-2009, 09:41 PM

im looking for some strings with a good pick tone. i got some rotos on my jazz(which i love) but im lookin for something on my P, i was gnna try dean markleys blue steel but still not sure

EagleMoon · #2 12-10-2009, 09:45 PM

Strings can vary from bass to bass. I could take a set of DR's and put them on several different P basses and it wouldn't sound identical on any of them. You really just need to try different things and see what you like.

Craig_S · #3 12-10-2009, 11:58 PM

D'Addario XLs have a nice pick tone on my P and J.

lorenk · #4 12-11-2009, 12:59 AM

Mmm, I'd say pick tone is more influenced by type of pick and your style then the strings. The tonal differences between the Blue Steels I used to use and the LaBella Roundwounds is negligible...I just have to change how/where I pick and with what pick (my .7 tortex sounds different then my .7 nylon which sounds different from my brass pick).

*Edit:
That being said, I have found the Blue Steels to sound great, as do the LaBella's. DR's are decent, the Black Beauties where my favorite of the DRs, but they are lower tension due to the round core, which is not really my thing. I wasn't impressed with Ernie Ball strings, they lost that nice bright sound within a few days (the Blue Steels took like a couple months to "dull" down, and that was when I was playing for two hours five times a week).

perogato02 · #5 12-11-2009, 01:10 AM

Surprisingly maybe, or rather lucky for me and my wallet, I like the sound that the Hartke Transient value pack (3 packs for 20 euro

) provide when playing with a pick.
The snappy bright sound lasts for weeks ...

Metaltronix · #6 12-11-2009, 01:57 AM

D'Addario XL's all the way. Also my set up guy once told me that since blue steels are Cryogenically processed they are harder then regular strings and wear your frets down faster. I have no idea if this is true or not as I just blindly assumed that he was correct. Anyone know if it's true?

jasper383 · #7 12-11-2009, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metaltronix

D'Addario XL's all the way. Also my set up guy once told me that since blue steels are Cryogenically processed they are harder then regular strings and wear your frets down faster. I have no idea if this is true or not as I just blindly assumed that he was correct. Anyone know if it's true?

Stainless steel based strings are a harder metal than nickel based strings. They will be harder on your frets.

I would be willing to bet that there is zero real evidence that cryogenically treating strings does anything at all to them.

HosMan · #8 12-11-2009, 05:14 AM

How about putting some Rotosound `66 Swings on the P?

I used to have them on my MIA P and LOVED their beefy tone!I played finger style but I bet they would respond very well to pic style playing.

Using Ernie Ball Slinkys(med.) on my Squier P now and they sound excellent! They sound nice w/ pic too(experimented).

SiReZ · #9 12-11-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenk

Mmm, I'd say pick tone is more influenced by type of pick and your style then the strings. The tonal differences between the Blue Steels I used to use and the LaBella Roundwounds is negligible...I just have to change how/where I pick and with what pick (my .7 tortex sounds different then my .7 nylon which sounds different from my brass pick).

*Edit:
That being said, I have found the Blue Steels to sound great, as do the LaBella's. DR's are decent, the Black Beauties where my favorite of the DRs, but they are lower tension due to the round core, which is not really my thing. I wasn't impressed with Ernie Ball strings, they lost that nice bright sound within a few days (the Blue Steels took like a couple months to "dull" down, and that was when I was playing for two hours five times a week).

i would love to give LaBella's a try but cant find them anywhere. and to the guy suggesting rotosounds 66's. i tried those already on the and didnt like the pick tone. i love the finger tone which is why they are on my J but with a pick not so much for me

pbass888 · #10 12-11-2009, 08:48 PM

blue steels are great strings and you will be hooked.

cyclopathic · #11 12-23-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perogato02

Surprisingly maybe, or rather lucky for me and my wallet, I like the sound that the Hartke Transient value pack (3 packs for 20 euro

) provide when playing with a pick.
The snappy bright sound lasts for weeks ...

I just put a set on and these things will make grown man cry.. they are just horrendous! anytime fingers touch them they sound like a techno spaceship landed on my 5er, and unfortunately Bart CB PUPs pick it all up.. I mean I am all for saving money but there's gotta be a limit somewhere

bassist4dalord · #12 12-23-2009, 12:34 AM

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and get crazy and recommend D'Addario Chromes. I know, I know, you're thinking "flatwounds?? you must be nuts!." But, when you play those babies with a pick, you'll get quite a beautiful and punchy sound. Obviously, not the bright sound that rounds will provide, but they sound excellent with a pick. Sounds great for punk and whatnot.

braydensharrar · #13 12-23-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiReZ

good pick tone

Oxymoron?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Good luck!
(you're going to need it. haha!)

~B

LaklandBass · #14 12-23-2009, 01:32 AM

Daddario half rounds. i put some on a month ago and didnt put down a pick for weeks.
I seriously played the intro of metallicas the god that failed for like an hour while watching tv.

amiller72392 · #15 06-01-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braydensharrar

Oxymoron?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Good luck!
(you're going to need it. haha!)

~B

I lol'd. I'm using beefy slinkys on my jazz. got them today, already hate them. =[

infamusblkdeath · #16 06-01-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenk

I wasn't impressed with Ernie Ball strings, they lost that nice bright sound within a few days (the Blue Steels took like a couple months to "dull" down, and that was when I was playing for two hours five times a week).

i've been buying EB strings for the past year or so, and mine have always stayed bright for months.

darkstorm · #17 06-02-2010, 09:28 PM

Rotosound, GHS, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, can all sound great with pick. Is a matter of the pups and bass and then little tone tweak strings give to come up with your best for you tone. Experiement with where you strike the strings. Over bridge pup, over neck pup, between them, real close to bridge, allmost at the neck. Also try useing either of the two more rounded edges rather then the single pointy end of pick.