Piano sound

[bode]

I've decided to relearn the bass after a very long absence. I'm not sure if I can play with short hair, but I'll give it a go.

I always used DR 50s through a Trace Elliot mid-cut and loved the sound, especially the D string (tuned down a full tone).

When I get my gear flown over I'll be looking for new strings and to create a percussion sound similar to a piano.

Has anyone tried the La Bella strings below and how do they compare with the DRs? I'm a little concerned that the La Bella's D is a slightly lighter. Is there a string I should be looking to try?

Choices so far:

La Bella Hard Rockin' Steel Medium
50 70 85 110

DR Hi beam Heavy
50 70 90 110

[Jim Nazium]

I used to really like Pedulla stainless strings for that piano sound (not sure who actually makes them - might be LaBella). Ken Smith Burners are also worth a try IMHO; they are nickel so not quite as bright, but still have a crisp attack and a clean, bell-like tone.

[bode]

Found these advertised: D'Addario XL ProSteels

"New! ProSteels are D'Addario's brightest and most magnetic bass strings. A specialized alloy delivers harmonically rich, brilliant high-end coupled with deep, tight lows that work in tandem to create the "piano-like" tone players crave."

[bode]

Done a google search this time on the forums and it's been discussed once or twice before

Sticking with the DRs seem like the best bet, but I'll maybe put the Prosteels on first. I wasn't a fan of Rotosounds back then and 14 years later I didn't think I'd be going back to the same old strings!

I didn't mean this thread to be a, "how do I get a piano sound"? but was more about looking for the aternatives in the current market. Thank the Lords of Kobol for the internet!

[One Bad Monkey]

GHS Super Steel Contact Core are some of the clearest strings that I've heard/used from one of the big companies.

Circle K would be a small company that has a super clean yet defined piano tone in their strings.

Never would've considered XL ProSteels "piano-like" at all from using them, but again, that's just me.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by bode

I wasn't a fan of Rotosounds back then and 14 years later I didn't think I'd be going back to the same old strings!

I've gotten kill piano tones out of Rotsounds before...you might give them another chance.

In addition to strings, IME longer scale length basses (35" - 38") tend to sound more piano-like, especially with the right strings. You can check scale length of any bass (if you don't already know) by measuring from the front of the nut to the center of the 12th fret then doubling the measurement. You might see if you can try a few out.

[bode]

Originally Posted by One Bad Monkey

GHS Super Steel Contact Core are some of the clearest strings that I've heard/used from one of the big companies.

Circle K would be a small company that has a super clean yet defined piano tone in their strings.

Never would've considered XL ProSteels "piano-like" at all from using them, but again, that's just me.

The GHS strings don't appear to be available in the UK, although there is a guy on eBay willing to ship them across.

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

Dean Markley SR200's have the most piano like ring of any stainless string I've played second place goes to Rotosounds. You will need your adjust your bridge to intonate especially with these as they are an exposed core.