Help - versatile strings, full, deep and round sound?

ElectraPhoenix · #1 06-17-2011, 06:46 PM

I need help finding the right set of strings. I play a Jazz bass - well, sort of. It is a J bass body, but with a P neck (maple neck and board) and has two Seymour Duncan Basslines humbuckers in it (the EMG 35 sized ones, I think) it's passive and is volume-volume-tone. I need help finding a good set of strings. I currently use nickel roundwounds but I don't get enough fullness or bottom end. I need the tone to be able to get fuller/deeper and rounder, but I also need strings that are versatile. I play in several jazz bands, a punk/ska outfit and a funky/rock band. So I need to be able to get a few different sounds. EQ always helps, of course, but the strings are too huge a factor to ignore. I don't mind using flats and from what I've heard that might be the way I need to go. My two concerns are this: I need something that will sustain, so flats/other strings that don't ring very long are a no-go. Also I prefer a little bit of stiffness/tension. Doesn't have to be a lot, but don't recommend something like the TIs. They aren't tight enough.

ElectraPhoenix · #2 06-17-2011, 06:50 PM

I should probably add two things: this is my only bass so versatility is a necessity. Also, I had been looking at two sets of strings: the D'Addario Chromes and the Rotosound Tru Bass 88s. Are either of those anything like what I'm looking for?

locriansharpsec · #3 06-17-2011, 07:28 PM

I just put some old carvin flats (made by Labella) on one of my j style basses. These have been sitting in a drawer for over a year and used to be on a fretless for a year too. I really like the feel and sound Im getting from them. This particular bass already sounds more like a p bass than a jazz and now it really thumps. Real deep but clear- right in the chest. I just wanted to try them out and see how they felt but now theyre gonna stay on

Ive only played this at home so far thru my bx500 and 2x10s (pretty low volume) but tomorrow I can play it at band practice 8x10s and an svt6pro.

Carvin has real good prices on their stuff too. Not sure if its what youre looking for. These are the only flats Ive used.
Those Chromes are what alot of people are raving about though.

ElectraPhoenix · #4 06-17-2011, 07:33 PM

Sounds interesting. Kind of sounds like maybe what I'm looking for actually. How is the sustain? I'm a big fan of the Jamerson/Watts sort of sound; that but fuller/rounder is close to what I want. I'm also a big fan of that real deep reggae sort of bass, and that synthesized bass you hear on so many hip hop albums. The Roots always have a killer bass sound on their albums too (and they use a real bass!)

dogbluedrummer · #5 06-17-2011, 07:45 PM

Chromes or DR Fat Beams.

WayneS · #6 06-17-2011, 08:52 PM

I just strung my P with Chromes for the first time. Wow! Full, deep, and round!

I was using Roto 77's but it seemed every pack had a dead E string.

I think I just found my strings! Sounds great for hard rock / metal!

walterw · #7 06-17-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

...I don't get enough fullness or bottom end. I need the tone to be able to get fuller/deeper and rounder, but I also need strings that are versatile. I play in several jazz bands, a punk/ska outfit and a funky/rock band. So I need to be able to get a few different sounds.

turn your tone knob down a little, and get a stronger amp.

regular rounds should cut any gig with the right gear.

iiipopes · #8 06-17-2011, 08:58 PM

Chromes will thump after awhile. But the politics on this bulletin board will be that there will be 1,592 guys who jump in on the chromes bandwagon without understanding what you want to play.

To get what you need, please consider a set of Fender 9050CL's in 45-60-80-105. For me, they play exactly how you describe: round, full, consistent across the neck and up the neck, growl when you want it, mellow when you need it without thumping out. Just stiff enough that you can dig in, but equally so from string to string, so you don't come down off a big riff only to have the low E string fart out. I've been earning $$ in my jazz band and combo with them for quite some time, as I was able to snag a 105 before the set became commercially available.

Oh, and that's after over 35 years of playing bass with about every string out there, and reading all kinds of jazz charts, from quintet to big band, from Armstrong "Big 5" trad jazz coffee house gigs to PBS telecast with the Lawrence Welk band.

WayneS · #9 06-17-2011, 09:00 PM

And 5 guys will jump on the Fender 9050 bandwagon.

ElectraPhoenix · #10 06-17-2011, 09:10 PM

The Fender's are a pretty good price so I just might have to try those. I can't find the "CL" set you refer to though; on GC's website the closets I can find is a 45-60-80-100 set. How is the sustain on those? And you have some impressive jazz credentials

ElectraPhoenix · #11 06-18-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

turn your tone knob down a little, and get a stronger amp.

regular rounds should cut any gig with the right gear.

I have a GK Backline 600 and Ashdown 410 cab. It's definitely not my gear.

TombassCaton · #12 06-18-2011, 09:43 AM

d'addario pro steel mediums all the way

Bassamatic · #13 06-18-2011, 09:50 AM

I haven't tried ALL of the strings above, but would find it hard to have a more versatile and full sounding string than the DR Sunbeams. They are my favorite roundwound and not too zingy.

john grey · #14 06-18-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

I just strung my P with Chromes for the first time. Wow! Full, deep, and round!

I was using Roto 77's but it seemed every pack had a dead E string.

I think I just found my strings! Sounds great for hard rock / metal!

I think dead "E" strings are more common than many people think. In addition to several other factors, if the E stays progressively alive with the remainder of the strings - this had been one of my criteria for buying a particular brand.

JustDavid · #15 06-18-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectraPhoenix

The Fender's are a pretty good price so I just might have to try those. I can't find the "CL" set you refer to though; on GC's website the closets I can find is a 45-60-80-100 set. How is the sustain on those? And you have some impressive jazz credentials

Fender Bass Guitar Stainless Steel Flatwound Long Scale 34", .045 - .105, 9050CL

ElectraPhoenix · #16 06-18-2011, 02:38 PM

Gotcha... I kind of wish GC sold that particular set. I might just go there and get the set with the .100 E because it's only $19 in store and from Just Strings, with shipping is like $30... Thanks so much for the advice, I'll try those out and it isn't a huge loss if I don't like them.

engedi1 · #17 06-18-2011, 03:23 PM

You might want to consider Fender 7150. They are a pure nickel string, as opposed to 99% of nickel rounds which have a steel core, (daddarios, ghs boomers, Ernie Ball slinky, Dr Low Riders, Dr Sunbeams) I have similar tonal goals to you, and came across these strings for the first time on a 74 Jazz bass. One of the best tones i have ever heard. Very full, punchy, clear, but not very zingy or mid-scooped. (I am sure the bass had something to do with it.)They also have a little bit more tension. You can get them in many guages and if you simply google search them, you could find some online for about $15 per set. You probably won't find them at your guitar store. I think you might like these much more than ANY stainless steel string, even the Fender stainless, as your tonal goals seem to be more like flats but with sustain. These will do the job!

mmbongo · #18 06-18-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engedi1

You might want to consider Fender 7150. They are a pure nickel string, as opposed to 99% of nickel rounds which have a steel core,

7150's have a steel core as well. The only difference is in the outer wrap.

engedi1 · #19 06-18-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

7150's have a steel core as well. The only difference is in the outer wrap.

But 7150's have a pure nickel wrap, not nickel plated steel like most of the forementioned strings. As far as I know, they are one of the few strings to offer this, outside of the Dr Hellborgs and TI jazz rounds

GeneralElectric · #20 06-18-2011, 09:41 PM

I've played all the strings mentioned so far in this thread. I play P-basses mostly and active and passive Jazz basses. I've used other stuff too, but nothing with EMGs so take this with a grain of salt. I play Jazz, R&B, rock, and punk mostly. I've been a flats player most of my 11 year career. I've dabbled in rounds for awhile up until a year or two ago and then I tried every string I could get my hands on.

If you want rounds I'd suggest DR Sunbeams or Fatbeams. Both are really good and to me sound like what you're going for. I like DR a lot. They last awhile and they're good strings. The company is also really great to deal with too if you have questions or issues.

For flats I'd suggest steering clear of Chromes. After trying them several times, I find that the G string never quite breaks in like the rest and sounds out of place.
I've played the Fender 9050s before. I like the string but they do have a particularly high tension (same as the LaBella James Jamersons and the Rotosound Jazz flats) that you might not like. I don't mind it but I recommend a light touch when you play them. I switched back to them for awhile and ended up giving myself blood blisters from playing too hard.
The Rotosound Trubass 88s, I really like them a lot. Clear and articulate and they never die! They have their own particular sound when you dig in though which, to my ears sounds kind of plasticy. I have a sound clip of them on a P bass if you wanna hear it.
You also might want to try the GHS Precision flats. They're dirt cheap and sound and play nicely.
I've also heard good things about the DR HiBeam flat but I've yet to try.