Requesting some string advice

DumbChild · #1 10-07-2009, 07:11 AM

Hey guys.

To cut a long story short, i've been playing my G&L L2000 since purchase with the strings that came on it. I've decided they are sounding a bit dead so i decided to get some new ones.

Now, i have absolutely no idea about the different types of bass strings honestly. I asked the dude at the shop, but he wasn't as helpful as i'd hoped. I then decided i'd ask you guys, seeing you probably know better then anyone what bass strings sound like what and do what etc...

I asked the bloke at the shop which strings were suited for a low rock bass sound. More or less i wanted strings similar to the ones that were originally on there, pretty much just deep round low end, which is how i liked it... Unfortunately the ones he suggested did the exact opposite, which makes my bass sound a bit twangy for my liking.. sounds like what a jazz player would be chasing.. (I'm ready to put the old strings back on -_-)

More or less i'd like to ask for some advice on what the different types of strings do/sound like and what the different gauges mean etc. Before i go and buy round two tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for any help:]

smogg · #2 10-07-2009, 07:23 AM

It would help if you told us what strings are on the bass right now.

DumbChild · #3 10-07-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smogg

It would help if you told us what strings are on the bass right now.

Umm, the packet says...
Stainless steel hi beam strings, round core.. gauges at .105
Those are the ones i put on today, the ones i had one previously were the same gauge and were also steel, but i know little else.

smogg · #4 10-07-2009, 09:14 AM

Yes, high beams are very bright (in a good way). Play them a week or two and see if you like the tone better after they settle in a bit. If they are still too bright for you then Nickle Low Riders would be an option or if you want the already broke in sound right out of the box you might try the DR coated string. I personally like the gauge you are using, not too heavy not too light. 45-65-85-105 has always been just right for me.

mmbongo · #5 10-07-2009, 09:15 AM

G&L's come stock with Nickel Roundwounds, either SIT or D'Adarrio...either of which should cost about $15 a set. Probably about 1/3 what you paid for those Hi Beams!

LaklandBass · #6 10-07-2009, 09:18 AM

If you go to the D'addario website they give a decent description of all the strings

smogg · #7 10-07-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

G&L's come stock with Nickel Roundwounds, either SIT or D'Adarrio...either of which should cost about $15 a set. Probably about 1/3 what you paid for those Hi Beams!

+1 D'Adarrio nickel rounds are a very good value and sound great. I tend to kill them kinda fast as I have a somewhat heavy finger style. But on a positive note, changing strings every 10 weeks or so made me get in the habit of keeping my bass polished and properly set up.

DumbChild · #8 10-08-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

G&L's come stock with Nickel Roundwounds, either SIT or D'Adarrio...either of which should cost about $15 a set. Probably about 1/3 what you paid for those Hi Beams!

Argh, not good news xD.

So from what i gather, i'm after a flatwound nickel string, same gauge as the previous two sets of strings (.45-.105)? Or should i go for the roundwound like i had on there previously.

mmbongo · #9 10-08-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DumbChild

Argh, not good news xD.

So from what i gather, i'm after a flatwound nickel string, same gauge as the previous two sets of strings (.45-.105)? Or should i go for the roundwound like i had on there previously.

Well, flatwounds will give you a dull 'thud' (think Motown or Jazz) with no real punch or zing. Can you tell I hate flatwounds? Most old guys play flatwounds

BUT SERIOUSLY if you want punchy and fat, you want nickel roundwound.

What kind of sound are you actually trying to get?

DumbChild · #10 10-08-2009, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Well, flatwounds will give you a dull 'thud' (think Motown or Jazz) with no real punch or zing. Can you tell I hate flatwounds? Most old guys play flatwounds

BUT SERIOUSLY if you want punchy and fat, you want nickel roundwound.

What kind of sound are you actually trying to get?

More or less just pure bass sound, not quite as "thud" as a double bass, but kinda like you'd hear from the sub in the back of your car haha.. Low, more mellow, without that twang. The type of music i cover requires quite frequent use of a plectrum as well, so i'd like something that still sounds meaty when i do have to use one.. cause at the moment i've got this terrible clicky twang(good terminology yea) that might suit a slap player, but i seldom do so im not concerned if i cant slap whatever i buy.
Honestly the strings i had on there when i bought the guitar were quite good to begin with, so perhaps the nickel roundwounds are the way to go.. but honestly all this string stuff is confusing the hell out of me lol. I don't want to go to the shop tomorrow and end up with another hi beam set of strings because i dont know any better =P.

ps - I am a young guy and the music i play is covers of either japanese rock songs or other general progressive rock.

sevenyearsdown · #11 10-08-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Well, flatwounds will give you a dull 'thud' (think Motown or Jazz) with no real punch or zing. Can you tell I hate flatwounds? Most old guys play flatwounds

Hey I'm 31 and I play flats, is that old? j/k

Just my two cents on flats since I'm a player of them. mmbongo is partially right with his assesment. They are "dull" compared to rounds, and do not typically cut through the mix (unless you're Steve Harris).

What I get from flats is a nice warm, round bass sound that sits perfectly in the mix with guitars and drums. I play old school stuff, so it's what I'm going for. They last pretty much forever if you buy a quality set.

Think of flats and rounds as different ends of the spectrum for bass strings. You'll probably never sound like Flea if you use flats, and never like Jamerson if you use rounds.

It sounds like maybe you are looking for something in between, or just a round that isn't as bright as the hi beams.

tranceFusion · #12 10-08-2009, 05:48 AM

for dynamic low end sound without being too bright and zingy, you want nickel rounds. DR Sunbeams and Fender strings are good picks here.

DumbChild · #13 10-08-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Hey I'm 31 and I play flats, is that old? j/k

Just my two cents on flats since I'm a player of them. mmbongo is partially right with his assesment. They are "dull" compared to rounds, and do not typically cut through the mix (unless you're Steve Harris).

What I get from flats is a nice warm, round bass sound that sits perfectly in the mix with guitars and drums. I play old school stuff, so it's what I'm going for. They last pretty much forever if you buy a quality set.

Think of flats and rounds as different ends of the spectrum for bass strings. You'll probably never sound like Flea if you use flats, and never like Jamerson if you use rounds.

It sounds like maybe you are looking for something in between, or just a round that isn't as bright as the hi beams.

I can understand what you mean and i think im getting a grasp on the difference between the two.. But i am still not 100% sure which i should go and get tomorrow. I can't tell which will help get the sound closest to what im chasing. Unfortunately i can't tell what kind of strings the bassists from the bands im covering use, or i'd likely go and buy the same.

Actually, if i provided a link to a video or something would it be possible to take a guess on what strings the bassist may be using? He plays a G&L as well, so i figure i should be able to get pretty close to the tone.

As weird as this performance might be to all of you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFD1r0c-1U

If someone could take a guess at that, i should be right to buy something similar =]

sevenyearsdown · #14 10-08-2009, 05:56 AM

Who says you have to get them tommorow? Maybe do a little a more research so you can take a better stab at what you want, or even try checking this bands website or something. Sometimes players list thier gear of they are sponsered.

Most of us experienced players here have likely gone through the same things, wasting money, and trying out stuff that didn't suit are playing.

DumbChild · #15 10-08-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Who says you have to get them tommorow? Maybe do a little a more research so you can take a better stab at what you want, or even try checking this bands website or something. Sometimes players list thier gear of they are sponsered.

Most of us experienced players here have likely gone through the same things, wasting money, and trying out stuff that didn't suit are playing.

I have a gig this weekend and i'm stuck with twangy strings :P

You're probably right though, i should investigate it completely.. I'll likely put on my old strings for the sake of this one and see how i go next week.

I checked the site, but no luck, this band has been broken up for a long while, their gear used to be displayed however there was never mention of the strings unfortunately

sevenyearsdown · #16 10-08-2009, 06:21 AM

Ahhhh, I understand. I wouldn't want to gig with something I didn't feel comfortable with either.

Meatrus · #17 10-08-2009, 06:21 AM

It has been mentioned that your bass came with Nickel rounds, so I would say try a set of Nickel roundwound strings by any major manufacturer you can find. There wont be a huge difference between makes (there will be some of course, but to a beginner it wont be too obvious). Here is a brief list of ones you could try, all are Nickel rounds.

D'addario Nickel
Rotosound Swing bass 66 Nickel (make sure they have a blue pack!-they are the nickels)
Ernie Ball regular Slinky Nickel (yellow pack)
DR Sunbeams - btw, the Highbeams are made by DR, I don't think anyone mentioned that, and you may not have realised.
GHS Boomers

There will be others, but finding your sound will be trial and error, and with the info already on this thread you will have as much chance as anyone else new to strings. I would bet that you would like any of the above, as the highbeams were the opposite of what you have described, so I'm not surprised you didnt like them.

countrybassist · #18 10-08-2009, 06:26 AM

LaBella makes excellent strings

Meatrus · #19 10-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrybassist

LaBella makes excellent strings

May be hard to get in Aus though, they are hard to find in the UK.

smogg · #20 10-08-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Who says you have to get them tomorrow? Maybe do a little a more research so you can take a better stab at what you want, or even try checking this bands website or something. Sometimes players list their gear of they are sponsored.

Most of us experienced players here have likely gone through the same things, wasting money, and trying out stuff that didn't suit are playing.

Agreed, considering what you just paid for a new set of strings. Give them a little time to break in and mellow out a bit. You can get rid of some that clankiness by rolling off some top end on your bass and/or amp.

You will probably go through several sets of strings before you find something you like. At this point I am thinking a coated round wound just might be the sound you are after. But definitely don't rush out and waste money with out spending more time researching your options.