I need advice on some good strings to use.

Dardas92 · #1 06-09-2010, 07:21 PM

I have 4 bass guitars including a 5 string.

I just recently got the 5-string in March. It still has the stock strings...

I also have a Washburn which has no strings on it...

And, i have an Epiphone that has elixars on it and they are peeling off...

I play Rock, Metal and some funk (slap n' pop bass)

Which type of strings should i get for all of these? I'm not afraid of the money, i just want to know what will make my guitars have good sound quality. I DON'T want coated stings, i tried them and i DON'T like them.

Any recommendations?

Woodfield_Bass · #2 06-09-2010, 10:42 PM

I'm a rotosound man myself, but you sort of have to try different kinds to see what you like...a good place to start might be to find out what your favorite bassists use, and go from there.

JerBo · #3 06-09-2010, 10:48 PM

I'd suggest DR's
They make great strings and their type descriptions are usually pretty on.

You may like Lo Riders on a certain bass and Hi Beams on another....

As far as rounds go, I've been happiest with DR strings... YMMV

BuffaloBass · #4 06-09-2010, 11:03 PM

Truth on the DR's. I havent tried many other after I found DR's though. They do statisfy, and stand up well for a while. I use the nickle Lo riders, but you might want to try a few varieties yourself.

Your favorite bassist, btw, should be YOU.

Burlington · #5 06-09-2010, 11:06 PM

Even tho you hate coated strings, you might want to try the DR Bootzillas. Can't even feel the coating and the sound lasts. I use DR DDTs on most of my basses tho.

John Wentzien · #6 06-09-2010, 11:09 PM

Good advice so far..

If you are stringing several basses...websrtrings.com has great strings for the money IMO

Bijoux · #7 06-09-2010, 11:10 PM

Elixir!!!

bigsack · #8 06-09-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bijoux

Elixir!!!

+1
the best i used so far and after 6 months they still sound like new!!!!

no more cooking

don't say no to the coat!

JerBo · #9 06-09-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bijoux

Elixir!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsack

+1
the best i used so far and after 6 months they still sound like new!!!!

no more cooking

haha....Did either of you guys actually read the OP?

Bijoux · #10 06-09-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerBo

haha....Did either of you guys actually read the OP?

yes, they do peel off!
after, a very, very long time!!!

bigsack · #11 06-09-2010, 11:22 PM

yep
i still think he should try them

think of all the water and gas he will save

twangman · #12 06-09-2010, 11:25 PM

I usually go with Ernie Ball Super Slinkys.. They have a really bright sound that I love oh so much.

JerBo · #13 06-09-2010, 11:55 PM

Well, saving gas is Definitely a good thing... Especially considering BP's blatant disregard for life in general.... (not that they are alone in big oil)

But it seemed to me that he didn't like the Elixers???

fourstringburn · #14 06-10-2010, 12:36 AM

Rotosounds RS66LD are what I used to use, Now I use Elixirs. I see you didn't like coated strings, but If you haven't tried Elixirs, I would suggest trying them.

Your Bass and music style also using a pick or fingers or both I think determine what type of strings may work best. String gauge also factor too. Heavier strings seem to sound heavier too me but they can give your hand a good workout till you get used to them. Light strings seem to make you play faster

But I prefer a medium gauge. 45-105

If you like a real bright round wound twangy clangy sound, use stainless steel like Rotosound, DR high beams and others. these are good for grindy pick tones. excellent for metal! Trade off is fret noise and fret wear.

Nickel strings are a good compromise like GHS boomers. these are similar to stainless steel and are softer metal so they are easier on your frets. Problem is they don't seem to last as long as Rotosounds. At least that's my experience with them.

There are half rounds by D'Addario which are some what brighter than flat-wounds, but have no grindy edge to them. Some people find this desirable probably because the warm sound of each string is more even. I tried these but I didn't care for them. Would be good for clean finger style recording in a studio.

Then there are flat wounds which I don't like at all. Believe it or not Steve Harris uses Rotosound flat round on his basses, That surprised me because all the clanging you hear in his tone. Also Cliff Williams uses them in the studio for a cleaner smoother sound without the fret noise,but uses round-wounds in his live performances.

So you can see how different string types can apply to different situations. I say choose a type of string first (stainless steel,nickle,half or flat-round) Then start taking brand name suggestions from others on this thread.

Hope some of this info helps!

Thunder Pulse · #15 06-10-2010, 02:05 AM

Yet another thread where someone asks for string suggestions and gets a wide variety of responses and ends up no closer to knowing what to get than before he asked the question.

dudelove · #16 06-10-2010, 03:47 AM

DR are great. but it olso depend on what you are playing, i been using stainless sins i started on bass where im playing any kind of music, and my old ones was dying, and i tought black strings, and the only black colored in that store i use to go to has only rotosound, and i want DR black beauties, but then i both roto´s, right now i practicing slap, and im lost for rotosound

Dardas92 · #17 06-10-2010, 01:10 PM

Actually, my Musicmann bass had DR strings on them and i liked them better than the Elixirs, plus they are cheaper.

I dont want strings with coating...

So i think im just gonna go with the DRs because a lot f you recommended them.

Thank you everyone for reading and your suggestions

Burlington · #18 06-10-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

Yet another thread where someone asks for string suggestions and gets a wide variety of responses and ends up no closer to knowing what to get than before he asked the question.

Thanks for helping

rockstarbassist · #19 06-10-2010, 03:29 PM

What tones are you trying to achieve with each bass? If you want different sounding stuff for each one, or what basses are you using for each project? You didn't specify what the 4 and 5'ers were, or the Washburn or Epiphone, etc...

I use 2-3 different kinds b/c all my basses do something different for me.