Not sure which strings to buy.

Demonator · #1 06-24-2009, 10:42 PM

when I do change them. Which ones should I buy? I know its all about personal preference and the style I play. Does Earnie Ball make bass strings? If so I will buy those.
Thanks for the help.

Craig_S · #2 06-24-2009, 10:53 PM

Ernie Ball makes bass strings.

totallyfrozen · #3 06-24-2009, 10:54 PM

Yes, Ernie Ball makes bass strings.

I usually HATE this type of response...but in this case, I'm going to pull the trigger on it:
There is a plethora of information on this website about your question. You really should do a search on this before starting a new thread on it.

Demonator · #4 06-24-2009, 10:59 PM

Sorry about that man. Im new to this site and still havent worked out or found all the features. Iv only searched like 2 times. I keep forgetting to do that.. Ill keep it in mind. Thank you for the info.

HogieWan · #5 06-24-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonator

Sorry about that man. Im new to this site and still havent worked out or found all the features. Iv only searched like 2 times. I keep forgetting to do that.. Ill keep it in mind. Thank you for the info.

no matter what forum you go to, it's just common courtesy to search first. Even if you started a thread with "I searched and found x, but it was a bit old . . ." people would be much more willing to stop and give you answer

Demonator · #6 06-24-2009, 11:15 PM

You guys are way more understanding here than the Ultimate-Guitar.com forums. Those guys are brutal. The Pit is crazy.

silverburst · #7 06-24-2009, 11:18 PM

Ernie Ball has a good selection of roundwound and flatwound strings. If you are super-crazy, you can even build your own custom sets by picking out individual strings.

Chipsonfire · #8 06-24-2009, 11:33 PM

If you don't have a clue what you want, Hartke makes really cheap strings (like $10 a set) that are pretty bright but work just fine.

keren lee · #9 06-24-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonator

when I do change them. Which ones should I buy? I know its all about personal preference and the style I play. Does Earnie Ball make bass strings? If so I will buy those.
Thanks for the help.

Brands worth considering for general use: DR; Rotosound; La Bella; Thomsastik Infeld; and Fender nickle roundwounds or stainless steel flatwounds.

I know you mentioned wanting to buy Ernie Ball strings, but don't be afraid to try these others. You may find that certain strings or compositions (nickle, stainless) bring out the sound of your bass, so experiment the next time you change. It's a process that may take some time but the result will be having a sound from your bass that you love to hear.

totallyfrozen · #10 06-24-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonator

You guys are way more understanding here than the Ultimate-Guitar.com forums. Those guys are brutal. The Pit is crazy.

I used to be a member of UG. I hated that place. I haven't been on that forum in 3 years!

We aren't trying to kick your butt. You'll find TB to be one of the MOST fun, helpful, accepting, and informative forums on the 'Net.
--Welcome!

TOOL460002 · #11 06-25-2009, 12:16 AM

DR

edit:

ernie ball makes garbage strings compared to DR. i am a DR fan for life, but one time i broke a string at practice and had to buy a set along the way to a gig, and they had no DR, so, i bought ernie ball strings (because i played a pre-eb stingray [im cool, right?]), and they seriously just suck. if anyone wants to debate this with me, i will be happy to get a new set of both, and hit harmonics on both, and the debate will be absolutely crushed.

DR is my favorite. there are probably equally good brands for different purposes, but i use DR for rock, reggae, slap, ambient, tapping (though im pretty sh*t at it), and anything else. aside from that one unfortunate day, i have never bought anything aside from DR. i like high beams. they make different ones, though. and i play a stingray (eb [pre-eb got jacked or something; not sure]).

thats my opinion. i seriously dont think eb makes good strings, and i really do think hitting harmonics is a good way to tell how good a set of strings is. please prove me wrong, because i have been going off this for years, and my last bass teacher got me on the DR train (another plug: glenn letsch, on tour with someone whos name rhymes with mronnie trontrose]).

chose as you will. i like DR.

totallyfrozen · #12 06-25-2009, 12:31 AM

Hey, what style of music do you play?
I'm assuming Metal because of your choice of bass; but you tell me.

totallyfrozen · #13 06-25-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

DR

edit:

ernie ball makes garbage strings compared to DR. i am a DR fan for life, but one time i broke a string at practice and had to buy a set along the way to a gig, and they had no DR, so, i bought ernie ball strings (because i played a pre-eb stingray [im cool, right?]), and they seriously just suck. if anyone wants to debate this with me, i will be happy to get a new set of both, and hit harmonics on both, and the debate will be absolutely crushed.

DR is my favorite. there are probably equally good brands for different purposes, but i use DR for rock, reggae, slap, ambient, tapping (though im pretty sh*t at it), and anything else. aside from that one unfortunate day, i have never bought anything aside from DR. i like high beams. they make different ones, though. and i play a stingray (eb [pre-eb got jacked or something; not sure]).

thats my opinion. i seriously dont think eb makes good strings, and i really do think hitting harmonics is a good way to tell how good a set of strings is. please prove me wrong, because i have been going off this for years, and my last bass teacher got me on the DR train (another plug: glenn letsch, on tour with someone whos name rhymes with mronnie trontrose]).

chose as you will. i like DR.

But tell us how you really feel.
HA HA!!

dannster · #14 06-25-2009, 12:39 AM

I like Ernie Ball's Hybrid Slinky's. Also SIT, DR, GHS make great strings.
There aren't that many bad strings out there.

More important is what gauge you want. No harm in experimenting.

Demonator · #15 06-25-2009, 01:04 AM

I play metal and classic rock. I also play guitar which I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky. I plan on branching out and trying other brands.

totallyfrozen · #16 06-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Hmm...well, I don't play Metal so I'm not much help here.
You might want to see what other guys who play Metal are using. Like dannster said, you need to also figure out which gauges would be best for your style.

Also, you need to consider whether to use roundwound or flatwound strings.

I hope you're doing Searches on this topic. There are Sticky threads and many, many posts on this that can help you.

octaverazor · #17 06-25-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm with the dr dude. Rad strings. It's shocking how much better them make your bass sound. No muddy bottom. Great harmonics as said before.

bertbassplayer · #18 06-25-2009, 10:53 AM

What no D'Addario love?

dnarock · #19 06-25-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

What no D'Addario love?

NO!!

dnarock · #20 06-25-2009, 11:04 AM

also try the musicians choice strings at GC they arent bad either and cheap too