Musicman Stringray SR5 - replacement strings that require the least "tweaking"

Marley's Ghost · #1 03-17-2013, 07:19 PM

Going for my first non Slinky replacment set. I had a bad experience with DR Nickel Lo Riders that just seemed like a poor fit, even in a mixed 45-65-80-100-130 set. I could not get rid of the overtones or get the intonation right.

I like DR nickel tone, and D'Addarios have worked well in on other basses. I know the SR5 is a very "sensitive" bass to string tension/gauge changes. Any suggestions? Sunbeams? XL's? I play rock and funk, and like some grindy punch to my tone.

MoeGJBeener · #2 03-17-2013, 07:25 PM

Try Cobalts. They are a perfect fit on a SR5 and really make it sing! I use them on both of mine after trying MANY different strings.

madbassplaya · #3 03-17-2013, 07:33 PM

I haven't had any DR trouble. Did you contact the company?

Marley's Ghost · #4 03-17-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoeGJBeener

Try Cobalts. They are a perfect fit on a SR5 and really make it sing! I use them on both of mine after trying MANY different strings.

Hmmm, I was thinking about them. I've heard they are clear and well balanced, but rough on the fingers and possibly the frets. Any issues?

Marley's Ghost · #5 03-17-2013, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I haven't had any DR trouble. Did you contact the company?

Do you think they would be able to give me bass model specific advice? I've used them on other basses without issue.

madbassplaya · #6 03-17-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Do you think they would be able to give me bass model specific advice? I've used them on other basses without issue.

I have a Ray (I'm selling) that I just put a set of lo riders on. The B string was a bit too long and the actual string is on the tuner but I haven't had any trouble with it.

I've also used Sunbeams on a Ray 5 HH and had good results. I'm curious if you got a bad set of strings.

MoeGJBeener · #7 03-17-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Hmmm, I was thinking about them. I've heard they are clear and well balanced, but rough on the fingers and possibly the frets. Any issues?

I think they're rough right out of the pack. No more than a stainless round but IMO the soften up in a couple days.

Britbonic · #8 03-18-2013, 11:45 AM

Yikes I hope that's not true. Just ordered this exact set in same gauge which is the same as the stock EB Slinkies that are still on there.

Are the problems you are having on all strings or just certain ones?

Also, have you tried Sunbeams? Similar to nickel lo riders but looser tension.

Marley's Ghost · #9 03-18-2013, 05:40 PM

My DR Lo Rider Nickel issue was mostly with the intonation on the low B, and overtones on the E and B. I tried wrapping the strings on the tuning pegs several different ways to no avail.

How do you SR5 guys wrap the strings? I have seen both top and bottom in photos. I've always had my strings coming out of the bottom of the wrap. How many wraps per string? I couldn't get any consistent advice over at the EBMM forum.

Calaverasgrande · #10 03-18-2013, 05:45 PM

I used to really like DR strings but there are plenty of other strings that sound as good that arent priced as high.
I've been doing okay on med light slinkys or med light DRs with all my basses. though I do like Rotos on my Ovation.
I've never had any kind of odd overtone problems even with cheap strings.
Is the bridge adjusted strangely?
I've seen some pretty odd configurations of Musicman bridges, though that is mostly confined to the 4 bangers.

Marley's Ghost · #11 03-19-2013, 06:31 AM

So after 6 months I decided to try the same lo riders again last night. They installed without issue and sound typically new string zingy, but fine otherwise. Very odd.

mmbongo · #12 03-19-2013, 07:15 AM

I'll bet you had it twisted the first time you installed. Your symptoms sounded exactly like a twisted string

madbassplaya · #13 03-19-2013, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

So after 6 months I decided to try the same lo riders again last night. They installed without issue and sound typically new string zingy, but fine otherwise. Very odd.

Sounds like a twisted string, perhaps? Glad they went back on no problem!

madbassplaya · #14 03-19-2013, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I'll bet you had it twisted the first time you installed. Your symptoms sounded exactly like a twisted string

Bongo, get out of my head!!!

NeilGB · #15 03-19-2013, 07:36 AM

I had good luck with a set of circle k strings. Balanced tension and tone that works well with the sr5's naturally enthusiastic character.

If the intonation issue you were having wasn't a twisted string it maybe that the pickup is too high, or maybe both.

Cheers
Neil

Stone Soup · #16 03-19-2013, 02:24 PM

The best sounding strings on a 4 string Stingray, for me, have been Fat Beams--once they break in. They sounded fantastic, but I don't like the way they feel. I use Dunlop nickels on my Stingray 5. They sound great on that bass and they last a good while.

Marley's Ghost · #17 03-19-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Sounds like a twisted string, perhaps? Glad they went back on no problem!

Could be. I tried 3 times to re-install them 6 months ago and couldn't get them right. Very odd.

73jbass · #18 03-19-2013, 08:50 PM

Nothing but Elixirs on my MM bases.

Stone Soup · #19 03-19-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Nothing but Elixirs on my MM bases.

Yeah. I forgot about Elixir. I liked them, too. Unfortunately, I have trouble getting over the fuzzy coating after it starts to wear. Great sounding strings, though.

Britbonic · #20 03-21-2013, 10:55 AM

Just installed a set of DR nickel lo riders on my SR5 last night. Got a custom set that is same gauge as the stock EB. I had no trouble installing or intonating replacing one string at a time and measuring based on the old one. Stretched and tuned and everything was perfect. A rough check of intonation showed there was no significant change from the EBs. I'll do a more accurate check today with my strobe tuner. Messing around last night I couldn't put the bass down! Strings fell great - slightly more tension than EBs - and at least at home very impressed with tone.