Most versital strings

mdsmith · #1 12-10-2008, 04:47 AM

I tried my first set of flat wounds last week. I put a set of 9050 MLs on my Deluxe Active Jazz. I do like the sound, but I quickly realized that they aren't the most versital strings around. So my question is, what do you guys think are the most versital strings. They can be rounds or flats. Something that would work for classic rock, blues, reggae and maybe even a little bit of fingerstyle funk. I've only ever tried the Fender flats and Boomers, so I'm pretty in experienced with different string types. Thanks

Amitio · #2 12-10-2008, 04:50 AM

I think the most VERSATILE strings are old rounds. Mine still fairly bright but can get mellow for a bit of reggae if i please.

mdsmith · #3 12-10-2008, 05:34 AM

What brand do you use? I hear a lot of people talk about the DR High Beams, Sun Beams and Low Riders, but I don't know the difference between them. It's funny, I was playing regular guitar for years, and the type of strings didn't seem to vary the sound as much as they do with bass.

ironrat · #4 12-10-2008, 05:44 AM

I have webstrings flat on my bass, they can sound from bright to almost(almost) lika a double bass. I like them.

cnltb · #5 12-10-2008, 05:48 AM

most versatile strings????
Strings , in my mind have nothing what soever to do with versatility.

mdsmith · #6 12-10-2008, 06:08 AM

So you don't think that there is a type of string that seems to work in more style of music then another? Or, you do think that there is a type of string that has greater tonal variety than others?

LightGroove · #7 12-10-2008, 08:59 AM

I think the point they are trying to make is versatility is more in settings and fingers. For Dub/Reggae you may favor the neck pickup more over changing strings out..etc

While you will get some tonal variation in strings they aren't extremely drastic. Obviously there is a difference between flats and rounds but apples to apples a majority of them are similar.A nice set of rounds will probably achieve your goal.

With that being said...There are some strings that are better "matches" to basses than others persay. There are quite a few satisfied DR owners (me being one) so you will read a lot of good stuff about. You also have to realize these may not be the most biased of reviews either.

I jumped on the Sunbeam bandwagon and have been unhappy to this point..I also picked up a set of Nickel Lo-riders and have been more than pleased.

Unfortuntely 99% of tone is subjective. You really have to try things for yourself in order to achieve your ultimate goal.. I've learned this the hard way after spending a fair amount of $$ and using people opinions.

mdsmith · #8 12-10-2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks, that makes alot of sense. I think my problem is that I'll hear a certain tone that I really like, and I have no idea to achieve it since I'm pretty new to bass. I'm not sure if it's the strings, the technique or the EQ. I guess probably a combo of all of them. Take a Bob Marley tune for example. I just learned "Stir It Up", and love Aston's tone, but I have no idea how to achieve it. Messed around with the EQ a bit, although I don't really know what I'm doing, but still can't get it. So I figured maybe it was the strings he used that made a difference. Thanks for all the into guys.

cnltb · #9 12-10-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdsmith

So you don't think that there is a type of string that seems to work in more style of music then another? Or, you do think that there is a type of string that has greater tonal variety than others?

I think that there are strings that one may like better than others(My favourite is newtonestrings, as they can wind pretty much anything one may require...and are happy to do so-that's how I haver found a string that works for me), the string that enables one to get closer to that tone in ones' head than another string might.

Roundwounds are obviously more zingy than flats.
You can mute rounds to get a "flatlike" tone, but as said before I think versatility comes with the player and the other equipment he/she is using.

artistanbul · #10 12-10-2008, 10:53 AM

I think versatility applies to strings.
The main aspect for me is tension. Low tension has more things to offer IME.

mdsmith · #11 12-10-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

I think that there are strings that one may like better than others(My favourite is newtonestrings, as they can wind pretty much anything one may require...

I'm not arguing, but wouldn't this be considered versitility.I do hear what you're saying about the other equipment though

cnltb · #12 12-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdsmith

I'm not arguing, but wouldn't this be considered versitility.I do hear what you're saying about the other equipment though

I don't think it would.
It's like chosing cox apples over pink lady apples over golden delicious, etc.
That does not make any of these more versatile thatn the other.
It is merely about the taste of the consumer and the choice(s ) he/she makes.

I don't think newtone strings are more versatile than others.
They are however the strings I like.
Newtone are also the manufacturer who was happy to try accomodate, without charging exorbitant amounts of money.
They succeeded, and it don't feel that I will use another manufacturer in the foreseeable future.
Some others would simply not do at all what I was after.

One could therefore ay that the manufacturer is more versatile than the others. that was not the question though, if I understood correctly.

IMO!!!

LightGroove · #13 12-10-2008, 12:32 PM

Welcome to the world of bass... no turning back now my friend.

I wouldn't say winding a string in a particular way would be considered versatile.

Yes.. you will get some variation among the different string companies ...That's why there are sooooo many. If they all sounded like each other they would put each other out of business.

My point is that while you may get more zing here and a touch more mids there I don;t think one string hands down does it all. It will be opinion based and not real factual if that makes sense.

Strings are simply the beginning stages of the sound.. they vibrate and the body/neck resonate and are picked up by the pickups.

So back to square one...sounds like you are starting to develop the infamous tone in your head. It is a great thing but also one that will make you crazy

If I'm not mistaken the early Bob Marley stuff was done with a Jazz and favored the neck pickup. This gives the whoompf and deep dub/reggae tones. I saw the Wailers 5 or 6 years ago and the guy was playing a P-bass. Again closer to the neck and thus more whooopf

So with that being said...your getting the right start with a jazz. Favor the neck a touch or all the way and go with it. Flats are ok but maybe a set with a little more zing like Daddario Chromes. Rol

mdsmith · #14 12-10-2008, 12:46 PM

I see what you guys mean. I guess I got the wrong idea from reading some of the post. They were saying stuff like, stainless round wounds in a light gauge are great for slap, and flat wounds are great is you want a really melloew tone(i.e. jazz or country), use x brand strings for metal, ect. So I guess I was just looking for a happy medium. Nothing too extreme one way or the other.

artistanbul · #15 12-10-2008, 12:57 PM

those notions are correct. strings of course do much more than feel and such. they are very important in tone. arguably the most important.
If you want nothing too extreme, I'd say nickel half rounds would serve you well.

LightGroove · #16 12-10-2008, 07:00 PM

Simply having this website at your disposal early on is an incredible thing. This place is a HUGE resource of everything. The biggest thing to keep in mind is 99.9% of boards like this are opinion based. So while a lot of these opinions are tried and true and some are coming from professionals...they are still opinions.

You can spend hundreds of dollars on equipment to find a specific tone only to find your description or understanding of the tone is waaaaaaaaay different then the next guys who suggested it.

One guys fast neck is really bulky to the next. One guys snappy slap happy strings are dull and lifeless to the next.. etc etc.

Some time you have to take a whim. Unfortunately strings are borderline pricey if you get something you don't like. You may start with a few safe bets per recommendations but again .

Finally...Yes there are various strings that function nicely for various molds...my only thing is a large portion of these companies weren;t around when the electric bass was starting to get established.

If your flats are new...I say keep em and let them break in for a month or two. In this time play with EQ settings if you have an amp/preamp. For dub/reggae id focus a bit more on your low mids 250-400hz range and bass.

tallboybass · #17 12-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Totally IMO but, nickel rounds are quite versatile. They're quite bright when new, or if you need a darker tone let them age for a few months. I absolutely love flats but rounds seem to work best when you're playing live (again IMO).

However, if we only learn one thing here, let's learn to spell VERSATILE.