Modern jazz growl & punch 5-string recommendations?

totallyfrozen · #1 09-06-2010, 04:23 PM

I don't like really bright, clanky strings. I realize that they (especially rounds) are almost always that way new. I'm talking about after settling in and being played for a few weeks; I don't want a super bright, buzzy, clanky tone. I'm not a slapper. I'm not specifically looking for a good slap tone or a really thin guage set, necessarily. I'm looking for good punch and good growl...a modern Jazz tone.
This will be for my MTD 5-string. It has a MM-type humbucker at the bridge and a Jazz-type single coil by the neck. (see pic) It's passive, by the way. I realize that alot of modern jazz is played on active basses but I think I can still get a good, punchy and growling tone with this passive bass--even if it's not ultra-HiFi. Currently, I'm just running a "generic" (I call it) set of Ernie Balls Regular Slinky 5. They're medium guage.

How would you say these Ernie Balls compare to the DR Lo-Riders for the tone I'm after?

What strings would you recommend for that modern jazz tone on a passive 5-string bass?

5string5fingers · #2 09-06-2010, 07:22 PM

D'addario nickel mediums get my vote

birdie num nums · #3 09-06-2010, 07:33 PM

I vote for DR Fat Beams. I used them on my Lakland Skyline JO5(ash-maple), Yamaha BBG5SII(alder-rosewood) and now I will put them on my Fender JazzV(alder-rosewood again). They begin to get growlier once they settle down and are punchy from the first moment you put them on. And they last very long...

eyecandy · #4 09-06-2010, 09:14 PM

I would say GHS Boomers, Dunlop nickels or SS, DR Hi Beams/Sunbeams

totallyfrozen · #5 09-06-2010, 09:25 PM

So (my inexperience is showing here) are stainless steel strings brighter than nickels?

The only set of SS strings I've tried are flats on a P-bass so that doesn't really give me any clue.

BTW, the EB's that I have on there now (nickel rounds) are a bit punchy and growly but so far no one has given any props to them. So, should I take that to mean that they aren't generally considered the best choice for this tone?

As you can see, I'm trying to get some sort of "short list" going before I start dropping cash on string sets. It's no secret that 5-string bass sets are NOT cheap. I could run out and try every string under the sun and I'm sure someone will drop by here and recommend that, but I'm trying to avoid tossing good money after bad. I'd prefer to narrow my search. That's why I'm asking you guys who use this tone and/or play modern jazz.

Thanks for the help so far.

Rocksolid · #6 09-07-2010, 03:08 AM

I purchased a Reggie Hamilton 5 a year ago, I would classify the Reggie as a modern jazz (PJ) bass tone of sorts in active mode. I have tried the following on it:

the strings that came with it - which I think were DR's of some sort and sounded quite good
Regular slinkys
D addario XL's

a week ago I put Sadowsky Blue Stainless on and it has taken a very good bass to great. with the Hex core the strings are stiff, the .130" B makes for a nice even feel between the B and E. Ironically - these strings are almost identical to what it comes out of the factory with. I would reccommend these strings for growl and punch.

I have a Stingray 5 strung with Regular slinky's and I love them on this bass but I didn't feel they worked for the Reggie.

I would try find out what was on the bass at new cause I believe this is quite often a good starting point for getting the bass to sound as it was originally intended.

Either way - I reccomend the Sadowsky Blue Stainless as an option.

Rocksolid · #7 09-07-2010, 03:10 AM

I'm not sure that SS strings are brighter but the top end is definitely different. Like it is more prominent at a different frequency or something??

InLeoWeTrust · #8 09-07-2010, 05:36 AM

Watching. . .

Looking for the same sound as the OP, but on a '08 Am. Std. Jazz.

totallyfrozen · #9 09-07-2010, 11:32 PM

-BUMP-

Smallmouth_Bass · #10 09-07-2010, 11:47 PM

Ernie Ball Slinky's are good general strings. They are easy to find and relatively cheap and they feel good. My only gripe about them is they don't tend to last as long as others.

I have stainless DR Low Riders on a couple of basses and they feel and sound pretty good. You can get them in nickel too, which I will be trying soon.

Stainless does tend to be brighter than nickel strings. Nickel tends to be a warmer sounding string.

Rocksolid · #11 09-08-2010, 08:06 AM

There are plenty of ways to make your tone less bright if that is an issue - tone knobs, horn attenuators on your cabs, treble control on your amp.

Can you get growl and warmth from the same string? Yes I think but this can be heavily dependent on how you play, your other gear, and how you define growl and warmth.

Markus Miller is one of the smoothest players around and I'm pretty sure his strings are SS...

Skunk11 · #12 09-08-2010, 08:22 AM

I have been very impressed with the Dingwall Voodoo strings that I have been playing for about a month. They have a better growl than my TI strings and they are also a lot less expensive than the TI's.

bassdaddyfive · #13 09-08-2010, 01:18 PM

Try the Ken Smith SS round wound tapercore balanced set. I like the depth and smoothness of tone. Very good fundamental focus and balanced overtones, and good bass extention.

totallyfrozen · #14 09-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdie num nums

I vote for DR Fat Beams...They begin to get growlier once they settle down and are punchy from the first moment you put them on. And they last very long...

What gauge Fats are you using on your 5 string?

TwinBass · #15 09-11-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassdaddyfive

Try the Ken Smith SS round wound tapercore balanced set. I like the depth and smoothness of tone. Very good fundamental focus and balanced overtones, and good bass extention.

+1

totallyfrozen · #16 09-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassdaddyfive

Try the Ken Smith SS round wound tapercore balanced set. I like the depth and smoothness of tone. Very good fundamental focus and balanced overtones, and good bass extention.

Just to verify...THIS is what you're talking about?

**crustychef** · #17 09-11-2010, 09:18 PM

In order from most growly
Dean Markley NPS Blue Steels-Nickle wound, super bright at first but settle into awesome agressive growl. My personal favorites right now. I keep these on my Warwick Streamer.
DR Fatbeams- I nice mix of Growl and Bark. They sit really well in the mix too. Probably best choice for jazz
D'darrio XL nickle plated- good solid strings with an edge but nothing overwhelming.
I have them on my Lakland 5502d right now. Great for more classic tones.

I also have some DR Sunbeams on my Corvette fretless right now. Man oh man did thing come alive. So much growly goodness for fretless basses.

Oh, and all of my strings are medium light gauge.