Help Me Decide On New Strings

[mrtn400]

Well, Christmas is around the corner, and I wanted to ask for a new set of strings, but I really have no idea what I want and what gauge they would be. I'm hoping you guys can suggest me some based on how I play and how I set everything up.

• I'm used to roundwounds (ignore this if you have an idea for a set that fits everything else).
• I play very lightly, and turn the volume up on my preamp.
• I have the strings as low as I possibly can without it buzzing horribly in an attempt to give it a lot of string noise like a Rick.
• I have the two pickups up fairly high trying to take in some of the string sound.
• I prefer my bass to sound very bright.
• I'm a lazy player, which is partly why I have the strings so low.

Thanks ahead.

[PoundinThunder]

there are 593820110593 threads like this

but try something mediumish like 105 on the top?

[mrtn400]

Originally Posted by PoundinThunder

there are 593820110593 threads like this

but try something mediumish like 105 on the top?

Are you serious?

It really helps if you read my entire post and don't start off by saying I'm spamming.

My intention is to find a set of strings that fit me, without actually having to spend the money trying different sets.

[PoundinThunder]

ok well for starters, i did read your entire post. and i never said you were spamming. i was implying that there are a lot of threads just like this one. all you need to do is search. look in the stickies and stuff. read reviews then based on reviews, make a decision and try a set out. you cant know if you dont like a set of strings until you try them

i would suggest maybe sunbeams

[mrtn400]

Originally Posted by PoundinThunder

ok well for starters, i did read your entire post. and i never said you were spamming. i was implying that there are a lot of threads just like this one. all you need to do is search. look in the stickies and stuff. read reviews then based on reviews, make a decision and try a set out. you cant know if you dont like a set of strings until you try them

i would suggest maybe sunbeams

I'll look into the Sunbeams.

Although, I did read the sticky and go back a page or two. There were some threads with bright sounding strings, but it seems like everyone had a different answer, and I thought some other parameters might lower it down to just a handful.

[dmusic148]

DR Highbeams, no brainer. Rotosound's are a little brighter but DR's last a lot longer.

[mrtn400]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

DR Highbeams, no brainer. Rotosound's are a little brighter but DR's last a lot longer.

Those look good too.

[dino777]

try r.cocco
deep sound, long life
you will like it

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by mrtn400

My intention is to find a set of strings that fit me, without actually having to spend the money trying different sets.

See, this is what so many people try to do, but which is actually impossible to do, and unfortunately, I see this mindset over, and over again.

Why are you asking someone else what fits you? It's your ears, your body, and lastly, your wallet. There is NO shortcut to knowing what strings fit you until you buy them and try them on your specific setup, yourself. It doesn't even matter that there's 10 billion threads on strings. You have to take a chance and spend a little money. If you give the strings a chance, and after fair consideration, you're out $30, then it's like 2 CDs worth of cost, and you've learned something very specific about how these particular strings (don't) work with your specific amp/bass/gear setup, and you've learned INFINITELY more than anyone here can tell you about you and your amp/bass/gear setup. Worst case scenario, you have spare/extra strings which are important items for your gig/fix-it bag.

It's like chocolate: nobody can tell you with 100% certainty that you like it. You'll never really know until you try it, yourself.

Please think about this. I intend these comments to be seen in the most positive, constructive, self-empowering way as possible.

[musicelectronix]

SIT rock brights.. you can't go wrong with the price tag they have, they are bright and they last long enough.

[mrtn400]

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

See, this is what so many people try to do, but which is actually impossible to do, and unfortunately, I see this mindset over, and over again.

Why are you asking someone else what fits you? It's your ears, your body, and lastly, your wallet. There is NO shortcut to knowing what strings fit you until you buy them and try them on your specific setup, yourself. It doesn't even matter that there's 10 billion threads on strings. You have to take a chance and spend a little money. If you give the strings a chance, and after fair consideration, you're out $30, then it's like 2 CDs worth of cost, and you've learned something very specific about how these particular strings (don't) work with your specific amp/bass/gear setup, and you've learned INFINITELY more than anyone here can tell you about you and your amp/bass/gear setup. Worst case scenario, you have spare/extra strings which are important items for your gig/fix-it bag.

It's like chocolate: nobody can tell you with 100% certainty that you like it. You'll never really know until you try it, yourself.

Please think about this. I intend these comments to be seen in the most positive, constructive, self-empowering way as possible.

The intent of this thread is to get a list of 5 or 10 different sets that may be more how I would want, so that I can go out and try one on the list rather than entirely guessing with no real idea.

[Mike Shevlin]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

DR Highbeams, no brainer.

what he said

[JW4003]

I play rotosound RS66LD, which are mediums 45-105. Rotosound are known for being bright, which i beleive you said you wanted. The 66's are popular rock stings, and might help get the ricky sound you said you were trying for (Chris Squire and Geddy Lee both played 66s on their Rics, McCartney used them on his too i think, but dont quote me). Squire plays the RS66LDs and Lee plays the FM66s (Funk Masters), which are light gague (35-95 i beleive). 45-105 are pitty close to most factory gauges i beleive, which can make settup alittle easier, but if you are lazy you may perfer a lighter gague. I hope this helps in your quest. Good Luck.

[kosmicwizard]

I really like Elixir, they last a long time because they are coated (like some DRs), and unless you need extra long strings (which only come for 4 and 5 stringers in medium gauge) you get the custom options of going all the way to super lights 40-95 with a 125 B string (if you have a 5er). They come from the factory on high end Ibanez basses, which (if nothing else) are known for their low action / fast necks. I hope this helps in some small way, and that you have a merry Christmas.

[ShowKing]

SIT strings

[notduane]

For your rbx170?

Based on the info you provided, I'd suggest these or these.

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by musicelectronix

SIT rock brights.. you can't go wrong with the price tag they have, they are bright and they last long enough.

Agreed... I'm a big fan of S.I.T. Strings. And they're very affordable. I particularly like the SIT Rock Brights on a P-bass if you're looking for edgy. Currently have Power Steels on a Schecter 5-string, and Nickel Silencers on a Schecter CV-5 because it's J/MM is to zingy with steels on it for my tastes.

[mrtn400]

Originally Posted by JW4003

I play rotosound RS66LD, which are mediums 45-105. Rotosound are known for being bright, which i beleive you said you wanted. The 66's are popular rock stings, and might help get the ricky sound you said you were trying for (Chris Squire and Geddy Lee both played 66s on their Rics, McCartney used them on his too i think, but dont quote me). Squire plays the RS66LDs and Lee plays the FM66s (Funk Masters), which are light gague (35-95 i beleive). 45-105 are pitty close to most factory gauges i beleive, which can make settup alittle easier, but if you are lazy you may perfer a lighter gague. I hope this helps in your quest. Good Luck.

This is second on my list now.

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

I really like Elixir, they last a long time because they are coated (like some DRs), and unless you need extra long strings (which only come for 4 and 5 stringers in medium gauge) you get the custom options of going all the way to super lights 40-95 with a 125 B string (if you have a 5er). They come from the factory on high end Ibanez basses, which (if nothing else) are known for their low action / fast necks. I hope this helps in some small way, and that you have a merry Christmas.

This combined with the last quote gave me an idea. My dad owns a '74 Rick 4000 himself, and his sound is the sound I think of when I think Rick. He plays on Elixers and swears that they last about 3-4 times longer, if not more, than a general set of $25ish strings.

I'm thinking, maybe the Elixers are contributing to his "Rick" sound, and what I would ideally want.

It did help a lot, and merry Christmas to you too.

Originally Posted by notduane

For your rbx170?

Based on the info you provided, I'd suggest these or these.

Yup, on an RBX170 (well, it isn't that bad).

If the above two fail me I'll be looking to get either of these.

[JW4003]

Elixers should last longer, but arnt they like $80 a set? That's alittle ritch for my blood...

[notduane]

Originally Posted by mrtn400

Yup, on an RBX170 (well, it isn't that bad).

I wasn't criticizing.

(I've got an rbx260f, rbx270f, and bbn4f )