New Bass Strings

NikDea · #1 02-17-2011, 02:03 PM

I need some new bass strings but don't really know what kind to get. I play a lot of "INDIE" bass and a lot of tech death stuff. HELP! ROUNDS? FLATS? I duno! oh my main bass is a 5 stringer

yczi · #2 02-17-2011, 02:45 PM

If there isn't a particular sound you're aware of and just want to be fit in a defined genre, the bass pickups and whatnot decide the tone more so than the strings.

A less generalized answer though, for the kind of music you play, a brighter sound would likely be a bit better. Typically flatwounds sound more thumpy (think upright) while rounds sound more...well..round. Additionally, nickels are darker than stainless steel and degrade (lose their stock sound) faster. So using this logic, just grab a set of some DR or Ernie Ball stainless steels which (I believe) only come in roundwounds.

Then the thing left to decide on is the feel of the strings. Whether they are coated or not often has to do with the feeling of the strings. I have found the DR Black Beauties to be significantly smoother, for instance. Also, for more elasticity when plucking the strings (no matter the style), light gauge strings (40-60-80-100-120) are best, while for a more stalky, thick feel, go with a heavier gauge (50-65-85-110-130).

Help any?

NikDea · #3 02-17-2011, 03:05 PM

yeah actually that helps a lot, i am just more concerned with the whole feel of the strings,i need to get new ones cause mine are ancient. im mainly worried about the tension and thickness. what about those ones....uhh halfwounds? i think? whats your take on those?

yczi · #4 02-17-2011, 03:26 PM

Well if you only need to change them because they're old, then I say why bother? I hate to get all preachy on the matter, but I LOVE the sound of 'dead strings.' I typically just buy a pack of Ernie Ball Hybrids when in a pinch (they're available EVERYWHERE...not my favorite though) and just play em til they lose that obnoxious fresh brightness.

I forget the name of the guy, but someone famous got a bass (perhaps a guitar?....yeah a little off on the specifics...sorry!) and NEVER changed the strings. Not once. He swore by it, and said the grime only enhanced the tone. Ultimately, perhaps 10-15 years later, one can imagine they'd be pretty gross, but according to him they defined his tone.

Anywho...my point in that is that if they feel good now and sound good to you, why bother?

As far as the feel, I personally prefer a lighter gauge string with a coating. The DR Black Beauties in their lightest gauge feel the best to me. I've never use halfwounds though, but have read all about them on the daddario site. They seem like a decent half way point, but also sound a little too good to be true, as I've never heard anyone say 'Oh yeah! I have the best tone ever, and it's all because of these halfwounds!' hahhaa....usually DR Hibeams or some Pro Steels or something fall more into that category.

FunkMetalBass · #5 02-17-2011, 03:47 PM

Circle K Strings.

They can be bright, or you can turn down the tone a bit. But since tone isn't really your biggest interest and you're looking for feel, then you can't do much better than even tension like the Circle K balanced sets. Do you normally tune to standard BEADG? Do you like your strings to be quite stiff, or a little floppier? I generally recommend a Balanced 136/142 set for standard tuning, where 136 is about medium-light and .142 is medium-heavy.