New strings for Ibanez???

rydin4lifebass · #1 02-11-2010, 02:32 PM

I have an Ibanez SRX300 and I don't really care for the Elixir's on now...was thinking of putting some DR Hi Beams on? Any thoughts on the two or what might be a better pairing with the Ibanez?

VinKreepo · #2 02-11-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydin4lifebass

I have an Ibanez SRX300 and I don't really care for the Elixir's on now...was thinking of putting some DR Hi Beams on? Any thoughts on the two or what might be a better pairing with the Ibanez?

Get thick strings if you drop tune or play hard, light strings if you have a gentle, caressing style. And it doesn't really matter 'bout the company. It matters what type you get. Round wounds will give a bright sound. Flat and ground wounds will give you a more "upright bass sound"... deeper with a thump and less sustain. JUST DON"T GET THOSE FREAKIN CARROT STRINGS!

rydin4lifebass · #3 02-11-2010, 02:44 PM

I don't play hard or drop tune, so the .45-100 are good for me,but just didn't know if there would be a big difference in tone between the two brands, if not..I'll work to break the elixirs in and stick with them.

VinKreepo · #4 02-11-2010, 04:35 PM

Lol, if they sound too metallic then yeah just break them in.

~ignited~wings~ · #5 02-11-2010, 04:39 PM

Elixirs have a very unique sound and feel, you either love it or hate it. In this case, if you hate the, I'd recommend trying something else because they take a LONG time to break in.

rydin4lifebass · #6 02-11-2010, 05:01 PM

I love the feel and teh way the bass plays but I'm just not set on those strings...and I've heard good and bad, but almost all good about DR's....so I think I'm going to get teh bass set up with DR Hi-Beams of the same gauge and keep the elixirs so I can always change and see what I like best...

Solarmist · #7 02-11-2010, 05:50 PM

ProSteel's are cheaper, and currently on both my SR basses. I wouldn't get rid of the Elixirs till they are near wasted.

rydin4lifebass · #8 02-12-2010, 08:26 AM

I use EB Super Slinky's on my pbass and I thought they were too "tin" sounding at first but now I like them. I thought of going to EB's on the Ibanez to keep things the same, but I've heard too many good thigns about the DR's...so I think I'm going with those. I need a set up for it anyway, so I think I'll have it strung with DRs...if I dn't like those I can always try EBs or D'Addarios...as long as I stick with the same gauge...so we shall see. Thanks for all the input.

ctothej · #9 02-12-2010, 08:45 AM

My 5 string Ibanez BTB also came with elixers...Im not sure what style you are playing but i went through a couple sets of DR,s GHS Boomers, Ernie Ball, a couple other sets, but kept going back to the elixers, which i probably will stick with from now on. Maybe they wouldn't be good for metal, but i really like the feel and sound of them. Not a lot of string options for 5 string long scale, so a couple brands i didnt get to try.

As far as breaking them in, you probably wont have much luck with that. The sound they have when they are put on pretty much stays the same for months. So if you dont like that you should probably find something else. I didnt find that the Dr high beams or Lo riders were all that much different from the elixers, started off brighter but ended up duller in a just a week or 2.

rydin4lifebass · #10 02-12-2010, 09:26 AM

I'm just going for a more "thick" sound while the elixirs give me a hollow tone I don't really like. Would there be a huge difference going from the medium ltes to medums?...from 45-65-80-100 to 45-65-85-105?...I'd like to stick to the same gauge as my p bass which is the 45-65-80-100...Thought the hi-beams might be a good choice? As I said, it needs a set up, so I might go with DRs and I can swap a set of EBs on at the same gauge to check it out once its set up...thoughts?

Jkaz · #11 02-15-2010, 04:54 PM

rydin,

I know where you're coming from. Hollow vs. full sound. I have Elixirs on my Ibanez, and I find the strings compliment the bass very well- quick neck, quick strings, and a reliable, but yet average sound.

I also have a Ray34, and its strung with DR Fatbeams. Two different basses with two different sounds. I have the SRX3Ex...., and I can't remember the rest of the model number, but if your bass is like mine, the pickups are very hot, and I found out that it is very difficult to control the tone of this bass.

I would think that DR High Beams, and Sun Beams would be appropriate for establishing a more robust, and deeper sound for your Ibanez. For drastic measures try out the Fatbeams. By the way, I practice or play the bass almost three or four times a week, (you wouldn't know it by the way I play) but the DR Fatbeams sound the same as the first day I put them on. Maybe a little less bright, but I can't tell.

If you do switch to the DR's, you will sacrafice the feel that you are used to playing with the Elixirs. It's not easy to adjust to a rougher string. You have to give it time. You can't have the best of both worlds I guess.

In the end its always fun to experiment, but unfortunately this can get very expensive, and that's why we have TB, so we can share our experiences, and hopefully save some money by taking the advice of others.

Update us when you make your decision.

rydin4lifebass · #12 02-21-2010, 12:16 PM

I played with the DR's on and hated it...went to GHS boomers and love them..I have a pack of D'Addario XLs but never got to them because I like the ghs strings...guess I'll stick with those

darkstorm · #13 02-22-2010, 09:10 PM

GHS, Rotosound, Ernie Ball roundwounds should all work great for it. I'm not a fan of elexirs, I dont like their sound. Not a fan of DR either, for same reason. Though I'm not a fan of Daddario, cause theyre too smooth sounding to me, theyd be my suggestion if your wanting very smooth rather then any hint of crunch, for your sound.