metal

Crazy Horse · #1 08-09-2006, 11:47 AM

ok well i made a thread about strings last nite

but i changed my mind

wat are some good strings for metal genre of music?
wat do u personally prefer??

and should i get CEADG or BEADG standard tuning strings??
wat would b more helpful and could b used easier/more?

(its for a 5 string Ibanez soundgear)

spudmaster34 · #2 08-09-2006, 01:51 PM

I had eb super slinkeys on my p-bass that I ussed for metal, but yesterday I broke the G string, I threw on a set of black beuties, I can tell you how they worked after band practice today

JanusZarate · #3 08-09-2006, 01:55 PM

Personal preference?

DR stainless steel strings!

I'm still experimenting with hex-core (DR Lo-Riders) and round-core (DR Hi-Beams) roundwound strings, to see which works best for me.

DR steel strings, overall, have great sustain, long-lasting tone, and are great for playing fast (some complain about the roughness of their steel strings, though). The DR strings I've used have yet to lose their great sound, which is a huge plus.

DR Lo-Riders, because of their hex core, are stiffer than the usual roundwound, and are great for slap bass - but I've seen them used for metal, too, which is why I originally bought a pair a few months back. It's a really great string, and the stiffness has advantages for fast playing.

DR Hi-Beams, according to many, seem to be the most adequate DR string for metal because of their brightness, flexibility, etc., but I haven't tried out a pair yet.

DR Extra-Life coated strings are turning out to be great, too. I'm trying out a pair of Peacock Blues on one of my basses. They're supposed to be similar to Hi-Beams, but coated for longer life. I'm really liking how these sound, so I might be trying out Hi-Beams pretty soon, too.

Oh, and regarding the 5th string... if you play metal, I'd definitely go for the low B

Alec W. Conway · #4 08-09-2006, 05:58 PM

I use elixir strings. They sounds like new for VERY long. My bass teacher has had the same set of elixir strings on his 6 for nearly a year and they sound as good as the set I just bought for my 5.

Metal Mitch · #5 08-09-2006, 06:26 PM

As a DR user for many years I'll comment on the following...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

DR steel strings, overall, have great sustain, long-lasting tone, and are great for playing fast (some complain about the roughness of their steel strings, though). The DR strings I've used have yet to lose their great sound, which is a huge plus.

DR steel strings are not rough on the fingers, in fact my experience over about 12 yrs was quite the opposite. They are less rough on fingers (and frets!) than any other string. When I stopped using DR and switched to other steel strings, I immediately got back callouses I never realized I'd lost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

DR Lo-Riders, because of their hex core, are stiffer than the usual roundwound, and are great for slap bass - but I've seen them used for metal, too, which is why I originally bought a pair a few months back. It's a really great string, and the stiffness has advantages for fast playing.

I can't stand slap bass, but a big +1 for more stiffness = more speed. When your drummer is pushing tempos to 220bpm you don't want a lot of "bounce". The stiffer string doesn't bounce around as much and lets you grind 16ths a lot faster and more evenly. They're also tighter when downtuned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

DR Hi-Beams, according to many, seem to be the most adequate DR string for metal because of their brightness, flexibility, etc., but I haven't tried out a pair yet.

Nope. Tried some on my Ric because the added low-mid punch of the Lo-Riders just didn't sound right on a Ric. Don't get me wrong, the Hi-Beams are good strings - but the flexibility works against you for the same reason the stiffness of the Lo-Riders works in your favor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Oh, and regarding the 5th string... if you play metal, I'd definitely go for the low B

Yes, but. DR's low B is the reason I stopped using them. I went through about 8 low B strings and they were all fuX0R3D.

I've had good results with the LaBella Hard Rockin Steels, which are just as good as DR at half the price. Dean Markley Blue Steels are another good choice, but the gauge selection is a little weird and they're not in the same league with DR & LaBella. Still, they're better than D'Addario or Ernie Ball.

scorpionldr · #6 08-09-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Horse

ok well i made a thread about strings last nite

but i changed my mind

wat are some good strings for metal genre of music?
wat do u personally prefer??

and should i get CEADG or BEADG standard tuning strings??
wat would b more helpful and could b used easier/more?

(its for a 5 string Ibanez soundgear)

power slinkies have worked well for me.......if your down with the new semi thin bass sound might want to try steels.....you'll definitely have an articulate slapping sound

spudmaster34 · #7 08-09-2006, 08:30 PM

I loved the black beuties when I tried them with my band today

Crazy Horse · #8 08-09-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

I loved the black beuties when I tried them with my band today

this is a stupid question, but can u describe the sound u got?

and wat were postives/advantages u saw wen u used it??
wat were flaws/disadvantages u found?

and to every1 else that were talkin about DR
...wat do they normally go for??

and that other brand....starts with a L i think...i 4get wat it was, damn. but wat are they like compared to DR and interms of sound and everything? and are they easier to play fast with??.

i'm sorry everyone about all these STUPID questions.
i've been using earnie ball for my 4 string since i got it and i want a different style with my 5 string. just some variaty.
and these arent exactly guitar strings where they cost in the teens like wen i used to go wit my friend to the music store if he needed new strings. we're talkin bout 30 40 dollars...i dont wanna screw up and make a stupid choice

spudmaster34 · #9 08-10-2006, 01:30 PM

I just felt like they sat really well, I could sink into the background when I wanted to, but if I used my fingernails a little bit, I could really stand out, and when your talking about a band with 2 distorted guitars thats a big achievment. I will deffinetly be a repeat DR customer. They were worth every penny.
Sorry I'm not verry good at describing the tone.

AshenBassist · #10 08-10-2006, 03:12 PM

I really liked the tone out of the GHS boomers i got on my LTD. I just slapped on some Ken Smith medium roundwounds, still trying to get that "new string zing" outta them. i personally don't really like it. I actually really would like to try some DR black beauties or some Ken Smith Metal Masters, which come in medium heavies, which are what i'd like to try out soon.

Crazy Horse · #11 08-10-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

I just felt like they sat really well, I could sink into the background when I wanted to, but if I used my fingernails a little bit, I could really stand out, and when your talking about a band with 2 distorted guitars thats a big achievment. I will deffinetly be a repeat DR customer. They were worth every penny.
Sorry I'm not verry good at describing the tone.

k. wat u said was good enough.
do u use it on a 4 or a 5 string bass?

spudmaster34 · #12 08-10-2006, 04:13 PM

a 4 string

Crazy Horse · #13 08-10-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

Yes, but. DR's low B is the reason I stopped using them. I went through about 8 low B strings and they were all fuX0R3D.

I've had good results with the LaBella Hard Rockin Steels

how much do the Labella strings for for a 5 string bass??

and y dont u like DR's for low B??

cuz if they arent gunna b good for low B..i mite not wanna get them. cuz instead of dropping the B for a D i figured out that i could just transfer all the tabs onto the B that would be on the D

Low D. · #14 08-10-2006, 05:25 PM

My fav are warwick strings and ernie ball strings. My tuning goes 1 whole step down like ADGCF.. if i remember right i play 6-string but you set 5-strings so thats the right tuning heh.

JanusZarate · #15 08-11-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

As a DR user for many years I'll comment on the following...

DR steel strings are not rough on the fingers, in fact my experience over about 12 yrs was quite the opposite. They are less rough on fingers (and frets!) than any other string. When I stopped using DR and switched to other steel strings, I immediately got back callouses I never realized I'd lost.

They're not rough to me either, but that's the complaint I've read from others on TB.

They're very easy strings to grip with your fingertips, IMO, and that's why I've stuck to them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

Nope. Tried some on my Ric because the added low-mid punch of the Lo-Riders just didn't sound right on a Ric. Don't get me wrong, the Hi-Beams are good strings - but the flexibility works against you for the same reason the stiffness of the Lo-Riders works in your favor.

Interesting... perhaps I'm better off sticking to my Lo-Riders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Mitch

Yes, but. DR's low B is the reason I stopped using them. I went through about 8 low B strings and they were all fuX0R3D.

I've had good results with the LaBella Hard Rockin Steels, which are just as good as DR at half the price. Dean Markley Blue Steels are another good choice, but the gauge selection is a little weird and they're not in the same league with DR & LaBella. Still, they're better than D'Addario or Ernie Ball.

LaBella Hard Rockin Steels seem to get really good reviews around here... If I get a five-string, I'll definitely have to try out both DR and LaBella strings.

I'll take my chances on a DR low B, since I haven't tried one yet.