Looking to try stainless rounds- Help!

bassist4dalord · #1 07-23-2010, 07:39 PM

Hello low enders. I am looking to try some stainless steel roundwounds. In my seven years of playing bass, I've only used one set of SS rounds: RotoSound RS66, on a Squier Affinity Jazz V. Well, I didn't love those... But I figured, I want to try a different set.

A little background: I play a Squier Affinity Precision Bass, stock. My main gig is worship/church/praise music. So we're talkin' rock/pop type sound.

I play fingerstyle pretty much exclusively. My P-Bass is currently strung with Fender 9050ML flats, which I like a lot, but I want to try something new. Anything wrong with that?!? Didn't think so

I need some help with choosing which brand would be good for the sound I'm looking for. What do you like, etc..

Please don't post if all you're going to say is "stick with the flats" or "try nickel rounds." That's not what I'm asking for; don't post it.

Thanks!!

HaMMerHeD · #2 07-23-2010, 07:41 PM

I like the Dean Markley Blue Steels. I have the 5-string light (0.45 - 0.125). They have a very bright, ringing, percussive sound, which I have been after for a long time. They cost me about $31 at my local music store.

Flatwound · #3 07-23-2010, 07:45 PM

There are a lot of nice stainless strings out there. My personal favorites are Rotosounds (already eliminated by you), and DR Fat Beams. The DR's can give a nice, thumpy fingerstyle sound, and are also bright enough for Marcus Miller. I personally like them better than Hi-Beams or Low-Riders.

Darth Tater · #4 07-23-2010, 08:41 PM

Dunlops are some of the best stainless strings out there.

darkstorm · #5 07-24-2010, 03:18 AM

What would you change about the rotosounds sound? Need to know to suggest alternative. The dean markley blue steels are gonna be way brighter then the rotosounds btw. If you want smoother sound, Dadddario, if you want crunchier and less clang, Ernie Ball. If your wanting a little shift in the overtones and smoother feeling, but otherwise similiar to the rotosounds then most strings, then GHS Boomers.

bassist4dalord · #6 07-24-2010, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the replies!

@Darkstorm: I'm not sure about the RotoSounds. Part of it could be that my Jazz V wasn't set-up beautifully. The Rotos went dead about two weeks after purchasing, and that was with medium usage. I guess I could give them another try.. But I think I'll go with the Dunlops. More recommendations are appreciated!

TimB 619 · #7 07-24-2010, 11:12 AM

Ken Smith Rockmasters.

LaklandWest · #8 07-24-2010, 11:34 AM

I really liked Ken Smith strings when I used them. I had the opposite experience with Rotosounds and Markley Blue Steels as the previous post- my Rotosounds lasted forever and the Marleys went dead right away.

Lakland makes stainless steel strings that I like and are well received. Take my opinion on that for what it is.

mbrain · #9 07-24-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaklandWest

...Lakland makes stainless steel strings that I like and are well received. Take my opinion on that for what it is.

Unless something changed very recently, Lakland doesn't makes strings--Lakland buys strings from GHS. Lakland's nickels are Boomers, its stainless are Super Steels, and its JO's are Precision Flats.

conqr · #10 07-24-2010, 06:16 PM

If you're open to trying nickel rounds I'd suggest DR Sunbeams. I think they'd sound great on a P bass, bit more presence in the mids than SS.

**juriscon** · #11 07-24-2010, 06:19 PM

IMO & IME the best SS rounds for a P are the DR Lo Riders. Great punch, great low mids and they last quite a while. Do it!

lostrings · #12 07-25-2010, 02:20 PM

I have been using Webstrings Detroit Nickel and stainless roundwound strings exclusively for awhile with fantastic results. http://webstrings.com/

They are very resonable and their customer service is second to none. I use their .040-.095 sets. Try them, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Stingraymund · #13 07-25-2010, 03:13 PM

What kind of fingerboard do you have?

bassist4dalord · #14 07-25-2010, 03:23 PM

I have a rosewood fingerboard. Factory electronics, GK MB115 combo amp.

EDIT: It's the bass in my avatar. New Supporting Member right here! Haha.

Schlyder · #15 07-25-2010, 03:30 PM

- Dean Markley Super Rounds
- Dean Markley Blue Steel
- LaBella Deep Talking Rounds
- GHS Boomers
- RotoSound

bassist4dalord · #16 07-25-2010, 03:45 PM

Hmm... The La Bella Deep Talkin' Rounds sound intriguing. Can you give a more detailed description of their tone? Thanks!

somedumbguy · #17 07-25-2010, 03:49 PM

I like my strings a bit brighter than many others, so I use D'addario Pro Steels.

Which is kind of the opposite of flats...

Ric5 · #18 07-25-2010, 03:52 PM

Try Carvin Stainless steel strings.

bassist4dalord · #19 07-25-2010, 03:58 PM

I think I'm gonna order a set of DR Lo Rider's. Juriscon says they sound great on a P-Bass, which is what I want. Thanks for the help guys!!

squashedOpossum · #20 07-25-2010, 04:03 PM

Right now I currently have 3 Jazz basses, all set up with stainless steel flats, and I play worship/praise music. When I use rounds, I use Roto66s, which you said you didn't like. I know you didn't want to hear "stick with the flats," so I'm not going to say that, however... have you thought about D'Addario Chromes? They're stainless steel flats which gives them an edgier sound-- MUCH different than the Fender flats you're currently using (with MUCH less tension) -- closer to the roundwound sound without the finger noise.

If I were to recommend SS rounds other than the Roto66s, try DR Lo-Riders.

EDIT: oops. You posted your choice while I was composing this reply, so...