MM Stingray - strings-through-body

[Budget Bass]

Could any of you suggest a set of extra-long strings (through body) for a Music Man Stingray (1979) bass?

I need something that will cut through electro/loop/soundscape-type keyboard music, preferably bright-sounding. On my second bass, a G&L L-1000, I've stringed D'Addario EXL165's and these do the job fantastically.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Joe

[JTE]

ON my last pre EB 'Ray, I had a set of Ken Smith's Rock Masters. Very very good stainless strings that lasted a long time, were well balanced on the StingRay's PUP (i.e. the G was as loud as the other strings), and they fit. D'Addario Extra Long strings work well on a MM through-body bridge too. I used D'Addario XLS-570, the stainless steel rounds on my first StingRay (a 1978) and when they changed their specs around 1991, Jim D'Addario told me they had the extra-long sets. They have to be special ordered, but if you like the EXL-165 (a great nickle string BTW), try a set of the EXL-165SL.

jte

[Budget Bass]

Where I live, over-the-counter extra long strings seem to have disappeared although at one point, I was finding La Bella Deep Talkin' roundwounds fairly easily. The Ken Smith Rock Masters look like a good replacement. I think I can find them here.

Thanks JTE for your cool advice!

Joe

[JTE]

Also look at GHS strings. My first 'Ray came from the factory with GHS Brite-Flats on it. I never had to order special lenghts from GHS to restring it, and I used various gauges of Brite Flats, GUS Pure Nickle, Super Steels and Boomers. They were all good except for the Boomers.

I have the same problem with GHS Boomers since 1978- whether bass or guitar Boomers, no matter the gauge, they won't settle into tune for way too long. It's not a stringing problem because I don't have that issue with other strings (except the stock G&L strings from 1981, and Lakland's nickles- both of which are GHS Boomers).

jte

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by JTE

Also look at GHS strings. My first 'Ray came from the factory with GHS Brite-Flats on it. I never had to order special lenghts from GHS to restring it, and I used various gauges of Brite Flats, GUS Pure Nickle, Super Steels and Boomers. They were all good except for the Boomers.

I have the same problem with GHS Boomers since 1978- whether bass or guitar Boomers, no matter the gauge, they won't settle into tune for way too long.

+1 on tuning issues with GHS Boomers. I finally gave up on them a few years ago because of that.

[Bobbo 77"]

Órale,
Usually folk's that use Musicman basses or EB's will go with the stock slinky's (2834) that come with the bass. But I just recently threw on a set of Boomer's and...they were Dynamite! Even my wife noticed and made sure I stocked up on the Boomer's!

[newbold]

What about rotos? Any love for rotosound?

[Budget Bass]

Originally Posted by JTE

Also look at GHS strings. My first 'Ray came from the factory with GHS Brite-Flats on it. I never had to order special lenghts from GHS to restring it, and I used various gauges of Brite Flats, GUS Pure Nickle, Super Steels and Boomers. They were all good except for the Boomers.

I have the same problem with GHS Boomers since 1978- whether bass or guitar Boomers, no matter the gauge, they won't settle into tune for way too long. It's not a stringing problem because I don't have that issue with other strings (except the stock G&L strings from 1981, and Lakland's nickles- both of which are GHS Boomers).

jte

I've stringed GHS Bass Boomers on the G&L no problem, but these were too short for the Stingray (strings-through-body).

[Budget Bass]

Originally Posted by newbold

What about rotos? Any love for rotosound?

Never tried Roto's. Wouldn't they just destroy my already worn-out frets? (maple neck)

[CElton]

DR strings are long enough.