Rounds for Carvin B4 with Swamp Ash body and ebony fingerboard?

[joeman583]

Does anyone have any suggestions for roundwound strings for a Carvin B4 (bolt on neck) bass with a swamp ash body and ebony fingerboard?

Thanks

[mmbongo]

What kind of sound do you want?

[joeman583]

A string that will be able to cut through two loud guitars and a heavy handed drummer. I have been using flatwounds pretty much exclusively, but I want to try a string that is brighter and has more edge. I love flatwounds and prefer them over rounds. But in this musical project I'm in right now, the flats are are kind of getting lost in the mix.

[ByF]

I have a B4 with swamp ash and ebony--the punchiest strings I've had on it are Thomastik-Infeld Powerbass. Very nice sound, but kind of pricey.

Ed

[DavePlaysBass]

If you want to project in a busier mix, you probably should try round wounds and make sure you do not scoop your midrange on your EQ. Figure out if you want steel or nickel rounds. Steels tend to be brighter. Nickels tend to be fatter. There are a million vairations on each one. Figure out what gauge. And then let the hunt begin. If you have no idea where to start, pick up a set of D'Addario XL Nickels, GHS Boomer Nickels, or EB Slinky Nickels 45-105. Play them for a while and figure out want you want more or less of.

[fretlessguy]

I use Fender 7250s on my bolt bass in light gauge (.40-.115). The 4 string equivilent should work well on yours, maybe in a .45-.105 set.

[Jared Lash]

Which pickups have you got on it?

My B4 has two HB4s and it really sounds good with DR Low Riders and EB Slinkys.

The Low Riders cut through very well for rock stuff and has a great midrange edge but they are steel and can be a bit rough on the hands if you are used to it.

[mgood]

Originally Posted by joeman583

Does anyone have any suggestions for roundwound strings for a Carvin B4 (bolt on neck) bass with a swamp ash body and ebony fingerboard?

I have a B4F (fretless) with a swamp ash body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and J99 single-coil pickups.
I use the Carvin nickel roundwounds on it. (They're made by La Bella.)

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

If you want to project in a busier mix, you probably should try round wounds and make sure you do not scoop your midrange on your EQ. Figure out if you want steel or nickel rounds. Steels tend to be brighter. Nickels tend to be fatter. There are a million vairations on each one. Figure out what gauge. And then let the hunt begin. If you have no idea where to start, pick up a set of D'Addario XL Nickels, GHS Boomer Nickels, or EB Slinky Nickels 45-105. Play them for a while and figure out want you want more or less of.

What Dave said. If you are accustomed to flatwounds, practically any roundwounds are going to cut through and sustain a whole lot better than what you're using now. Go forth and experiment...

MM

[gjbassist]

DR Hi Beams might be a good choice.

[joeman583]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Which pickups have you got on it?

My B4 has two HB4s and it really sounds good with DR Low Riders and EB Slinkys.

The Low Riders cut through very well for rock stuff and has a great midrange edge but they are steel and can be a bit rough on the hands if you are used to it.

Mine has the HB4's as well. I have used the Nickel Low Riders and Nickel EB Slinkys on this bass before, and had great results.

[cheezofthegoat]

I use Sadowsky Blues on my Carvin. They really work well.