New strings for recording?

dwjazz54 · #1 02-09-2007, 09:14 AM

Hey everybody-
My band is recording an album soon (the first with me, the "new guy", on board), and I have run into a certain dilemma that I can't figure out for myself.
I've been in the studio before with other projects, but the producer always had a bass available for me to play that he preferred in recording (an active Ibanez BTB 5-string). The strings weren't particualrly fresh, but weren't exactly dead.
By bass is a bit different from that active Ibanez. For the forthcoming album, I will be using, exclusively, my passive Fender 5-string. Likewise as before, the strings still have a little life in them, but are far from fresh.
I know that when we play live, I like to have pretty fresh strings on, but as we all know here live sound is a lot different from studio sound.
Finally, to my question: should I drop the $30 for a new set of Slinkys for recording, or should I just use the set I've got on there now? I'm not looking for a super-bright tone (it's kind of indie-folk-rock), but I do need a bit of definition for this album.
Thanks!

Dave Bassincus · #2 02-09-2007, 09:50 AM

Just my opinion, but "indie folk-rock" implies acoustic/ jangly guitars that will be taking up the high-mids. Consequently, worn strings may take up more room on the lows and low/mids and avoid some frequency clashes, so you may sit better in the mix. For what it's worth, I read an interview with Robbie Shakespeare, and he said that in reggae circles, old, old bass strings are a valued commodity, precisely because of their lack of highs. But keep in mind, I'm a flats fanatic anyway.

Daytona955i · #3 02-09-2007, 09:57 AM

It depends. I like the sound of fresh strings the best, and I think they play and feel the best as well.

Other people have different opinions.

A lot of it could also depend on the producer/engineer and their style, and sometimes even equipment...

I'd say think hard about what tone you like best, think of how you need to sit in the mix, the tone of the strings, etc. and then talk to the guy that's going to be recording you, I bet he's got some experience.

dwjazz54 · #4 02-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Our music does have some acoustic guitar, but it's primarily an Epiphone Les Paul (with a brand new set of strings) and an Gibson Hollowbody (FYI: signed by Joe Pass).
If it helps any further to describe the sound: I tend to keep the EQ set on my amp's 4-band with highs and low mids at 12 o'clock and high mids and bass at 3 o'clock. I'll be going all the way from a low C to the highest C# my 21-frets can accomodate, and I will be recording direct (guitars will be miked).
Thanks, and any information or opinion helps!

WalterBush · #5 02-09-2007, 10:12 AM

James Jamerson didn't change his strings, ever, unless one broke. I don't bother with string changes unless my bass is completely dead-sounding, but that's because in the situations I work with, the high-end sparkle coming off new strings is only going to be eq'd out or stomped on by distorted guitars, anyway.

I would warn you that if your recording process lasts longer than a few days, you run the risk of the bass strings no longer sounding like new. Strings that are already broken in seem to stay consistent over long projects, IME.

As has been said, it's up to you and your recording/mixing engineer. If you're worried about it, change the strings and have at it. The worst that happens is you learn you don't like new strings for recording. I don't think it'll make or break your recording, either way, so I don't bother, but that's just my long-winded opinion.

addylewis · #6 02-10-2007, 12:31 PM

I've got both situations covered - a couple of basses with NEW strings on them and a few with old strings...

flawop · #7 02-11-2007, 10:30 AM

+1 to everything everyone said.... and talk to the recording dude about it first.

MarkMyWordsXx · #8 02-11-2007, 11:22 PM

it depends on the tone your looking for. if your going for a middle of the road tone youl be okay with prety much whatever you have on. super bright? yes youd probably need new strings, but you arent going for that so dont worrya bout it!

strings make a huge huge huge difference in tone. there tools, different tools for different jobs

JimmyM · #9 02-11-2007, 11:35 PM

I had posted that I thought you should leave them on first, but I erased it and I'm going to say instead that it just doesn't matter. All that matters is how good you play. Nobody will ever listen to your music and say, "Boy, those bass strings sound dead. He should have changed them."