If you liked "X" then you might like "Y"

[kurotenshi]

Hi guys and gals, this might seem like a dumb thread but I'm just looking for some directions on the eternal quest for ultimate tone.

For some time I've been somewhat faithful to D'Addario but recentlly I decided that I needed to try out other stuff to see if what I used is what suits me best. So started by moving to D'Addario pro steel and loved the snap they brought to my sound although they took a bit of life out of my main bass.
My other bass is much fuller and in it I put Warwick Red Label. They didn't sound completely awful but their a bit harsh on the high end and very uncomfortable on the fingers.
A couple of weeks ago I took my main bass to setup and, since they only had Ernie Ball hybrid strings, I thought it was a good opportunity to try yet another kind of string. The result was very positive, I still get the growl and some snap without the excess harshness of the Pro Steels.

So based on my likes and dislikes so far what would you say I should try next?

[jasper383]

You liked stainless strings, Warwick strings, and now Ernie Ball nickels? Hmm.

I think at some time everybody should try DR Sunbeams or Hi Beams; they are like very refined versions of D'Addario and EBMM strings.

Also, Rotosound stainless rounds if you like growl and snap. The first, and for many, the best stainless string.

[kurotenshi]

Originally Posted by jasper383

You liked stainless strings, Warwick strings, and now Ernie Ball nickels? Hmm.

I think at some time everybody should try DR Sunbeams or Hi Beams; they are like very refined versions of D'Addario and EBMM strings.

Also, Rotosound stainless rounds if you like growl and snap. The first, and for many, the best stainless string.

The warwicks were also steel but yes exactly.

About Rotosound, what I did not like much about D'addario steels was that I lost loads of bottom end, do Roto do that to?

Thanks

[stflbn]

I don't feel you 'lose' low end. I feel that the lows more defined and the highs crisper and more present overall.

[randall p]

I always liked the Roto 66's. Tried several strings over the years (DR's, D'adds, EB's, Dunlop, etc) but always went back to the Roto's for RW strings. Plenty of low end, but I always felt they had the most "midrange bark" than other strings. DR's felt scooped to me, great for slap, but I can't slap.

[randall p]

Btw, IIRC, Geddy has been pretty faithful to Roto's. Not that you will instantly sound like him, but it is a starting point to base the sound of Roto's.

[Modulus1906]

Rotosound Swings 66s are great. Tight bottom, with warm, crisp growl. Also, please don't sleep on GHS Supersteels or Ken Smith Burners.

[testing1two]

If you like


then you'll love

[kurotenshi]

Originally Posted by testing1two

If you like


then you'll love

Boss

So guess I'll be giving Rotos a try next time I change strings. BTW, approximately how frequently should I change strings? I play my main bass a couple of hours a week