Recommend strings for a first-time string buyer!

Infiltration12 · #1 01-06-2010, 06:22 PM

Hey guys, I've never bought strings before and I've decided to replace the ones that came on the bass I got given to me. Here is some stuff that might help you recommend me something:

I have a Music Man Stingray 4-string

I play in D-standard

I mostly play metal(TRUE METAL: Death, black, stoner doom), but also play in a rock jam band

I really like the tone in this video(You can hear the bass best at around 0:17-0:25): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQQsG6eCCy8

So... let me know what you think I would like and what you use! I have absolutely no idea what to look for, so letting me know anything I should look for would be nice too.

p-bass · #2 01-06-2010, 07:15 PM

Back when I played Metal we only had one kind...it was called Heavy Metal...that is "TRUE METAL" to me. Try D'addario Prosteels...they should give ya what your looking for.

Craig_S · #3 01-06-2010, 07:16 PM

Ernie Ball Power Slinky's

I think Slinky's sound best on my Stingray 5. They sounded good on my Stingray 4 as well.

amorican · #4 01-06-2010, 07:16 PM

I may not be much help but I just bought and installed my 2nd set of strings today. I went with Fender stainless steel flatwounds 9050ML .050-.100. The strings I replaced were roundwound D'Addario ss can't remember specs, .045-.105? My impressions of the two are as follows. The roundwounds were very bright and clear sounding, they would really ring out. The flatwounds are pretty much pure thump, and deep. The notes still sustain, they just don't ring out like with the rounds. I am really diggin' the flatwounds and will be trying different brands of them as needed. Hope this helps.

crack-boom · #5 01-06-2010, 07:20 PM

There's tone in that vid? :P haha

Power Slinkys are prob what you're looking for. You'll prob want something heavier than a .100 gague string also since you are playing in D standard.

waleross · #6 01-06-2010, 08:43 PM

These dudes are wild !!!!! Crazy Video.....I agree with the forum that flats are most likely what you need, however maybe the different types from the flats to the extreme rounds would be good for you. The way I see it keeping spare sets of strings can't hurt you..................

eddievanbassman · #7 01-06-2010, 08:49 PM

Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Stainless Steel

Infiltration12 · #8 01-06-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

Back when I played Metal we only had one kind...it was called Heavy Metal...that is "TRUE METAL" to me.

I could have worded that better, but I meant that I play true metal, not metalcore and deathcore crap like Pantera, Whitechapel, etc. To me all that stuff is just death metal for kids. I listen to some traditional heavy metal(Priest, Slough Feg, Maiden...), but I'm more of a fan of the extreme stuff.

Waleross:
Yes, Behemoth is indeed crazy. I love that band.

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Ernie Ball Power Slinkys, but The flatwounds sound interesting as well. Can anybody recommend me specific brands and types of flatwounds? I also have a Lakland Skyline 5 bass, so I might put flatwounds on it and Slinkys on my Stingray.

The modifier · #9 01-06-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infiltration12

I could have worded that better, but I meant that I play true metal, not metalcore and deathcore crap like Pantera, Whitechapel, etc. To me all that stuff is just death metal for kids. I listen to some traditional heavy metal(Priest, Slough Feg, Maiden...), but I'm more of a fan of the extreme stuff.

Waleross:
Yes, Behemoth is indeed crazy. I love that band.

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Ernie Ball Power Slinkys, but The flatwounds sound interesting as well. Can anybody recommend me specific brands and types of flatwounds? I also have a Lakland Skyline 5 bass, so I might put flatwounds on it and Slinkys on my Stingray.

Try Daddario Chromes Flat-wounds, I use them in on my 5 string SX Jazz for a hard rock project that im running with friends, its not exactly metal, but flats cut through were rounds would just get absorbed into the sound of the distorted guitars, and using them on a jazz with the bridge PU favored a bit, its nothing but pure low end growl, they should sound killer on your Stingray

dave2 · #10 01-06-2010, 11:05 PM

DR Low Riders

ataraxia · #11 01-07-2010, 11:44 AM

Personaly, I love my DR Coated strings. I use the black beauties on my spector and the emerald green on my ESP TA400. They feel really nice and the tone is pretty sweet.

I like the tone of flatwounds, but to me they are very uncomfortable to play on it just feels like my fingers are slipping all the time.