I want to pop and slap without trebley sound

[ericmknight1906]

Currently, I have a 5 string spector 35" scale with DR High beam stainless steel. These strings are too metallic sounding and the output sounds kind of distorted. I want a more mellow tone without the metallic sterile sound.

What kind of strings are best suited for my request? My pickups are EMG SSD soap bars.

Thanks

[CapnSev]

That's a big reason I use Elixirs. If you like the High Beam feel, try the coated DRs.

[Fuzzbass]

I also recommend Elixir strings, but they're not a whole lot mellower than uncoated rounds. If you need less treble still, try the following:

Half-rounds or groundwounds
Tapewounds
Flatwounds

Some like to say "you can't slap using flats" but that's simply not true. If you want more mids and less treble when slapping, flats are the way to go.

[capnsandwich]

Elixirs, flatwounds, tapewounds, and nickels, will all work but adjusting your EQ and rolling back the treble will probably work better. It sounds like your treble is set a little too high and is causing your amp to clip due to the highs. I have EMG 40J's and I use Sadowsky SS strings, and while I like the high end pop in my tone when I slap, I can easily roll back the treble on my preamp and/or my amp and mute the highs. I'd also boost the mids slightly to bring a little clarity to your tone since the treble is so low.

[Largedon]

Try out a set of flatwounds. It might be just what you're looking for.

[bass71]

Ok .bit radical this but.....if you want the bestest thickest non trebly slap sound then there is only one bass that will give it to ya....a P bass, and it wont mind to much what strings are fitted.

Fit any set of rounds, roll off the tone a bit.....slap heaven..

[saxofunk]

Slap a fretless.

[P-BASSLOVER]

Nickel rounds or D'Addario Chromes flats.

[Wally Malone]

Don't change your strings as often.

Wally

[ericmknight1906]

Originally Posted by Wally Malone

Don't change your strings as often.

Wally

On that note, I'm embarrassed to mention how much money I've wasted on strings. Anyway, I just took a chance on a set of Ernie Ball Slinkys .130-.45 . They sound awesome on the EMG Pups without the clankity clank sound. Thanks to all for your input.

[AustinxHxC]

Originally Posted by ericmknight1906

Currently, I have a 5 string spector 35" scale with DR High beam stainless steel. These strings are too metallic sounding and the output sounds kind of distorted. I want a more mellow tone without the metallic sterile sound.

What kind of strings are best suited for my request? My pickups are EMG SSD soap bars.

Thanks

Why not try the nickel-version of your strings?

[Kuchar]

Keep your strings on for about a month, they will dull down. I use the same ones, except I like the metalic sound so every time it goes away I have to go blow 30 more dollars

[vapochilled]

+1 to all

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

Some like to say "you can't slap using flats" but that's simply not true. If you want more mids and less treble when slapping, flats are the way to go.

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Elixirs, flatwounds, tapewounds, and nickels, will all work but adjusting your EQ and rolling back the treble will probably work better... I'd also boost the mids slightly to bring a little clarity to your tone since the treble is so low.

Originally Posted by bass71

Ok .bit radical this but.....if you want the bestest thickest non trebly slap sound then there is only one bass that will give it to ya....a P bass, and it wont mind to much what strings are fitted.

Originally Posted by saxofunk

Slap a fretless.

Originally Posted by Wally Malone

Don't change your strings as often.

They're all right, but I start cheapest first. Until you find your sweet spot. I.e. adjust EQ first, then dig up you old strings, if you don't recycle them other ways.

[ihassiphilus]

Don't slap.

If you insist on doing it, the Chromes. They're fairly bright for flats.

[LaBassGuy]

I think most slappers think to get a good tone you have turn up the treble and the bass. In truth, you should lave the bass and treble alone on your amp and cut some mids. Knowing where to cut kind of depends on your bass and the room, etc. Try cutting around 800hz area. Sometimes I cut around 600hz.

[Nick Kay]

Cut the treble down, first off. That's what the knobs are there for. When you get a chance, you might also want to replace those Hi-Beams with the same gauge of Sunbeams. They're the same construction-wise, but the outer wrap is nickel instead of stainless steel, which makes for a much softer treble response and lower output on magnetic pickups.

[selfblessed]

I vote flat wounds. I have some on one bass and I have really been digging the slap tone.

[Surly]

Nickel rounds with proper EQ.

[James Hart]

Try some SIT Powerflats

[badboy1984]

I say cut some high mid down and use some compression too. I find it cutting high mid is suits me on both slap and finger. Can get that bright when play high note and the low end still their.