Springy? Flappy? Flatwounds? huh? HELP!

[ETEcarmine]

I play mostly pickstyle on a Music Man Stingray 5 with the standard Ernie Ball 45 - 130 strings. The strings are very "flappy" which is amazing for digging into them, but I could use more tension overall. I'd like to try a set of strings that are a little springyer, but are still similar to the EBs.

I've also been considering flats, but that's a very different ballgame. I'm sure I'll get MUCH better tone for sliding and playing fingerstyle, but I don't want to lose any brightness or attack. It's integral to the sound of my band to have insanely aggressive tone. Does anyone play flats with a pick?

I probably sound like a schizo . . . Please help!

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by ETEcarmine

I play mostly pickstyle on a Music Man Stingray 5 with the standard Ernie Ball 45 - 130 strings. The strings are very "flappy" which is amazing for digging into them, but I could use more tension overall. I'd like to try a set of strings that are a little springyer, but are still similar to the EBs.

I've also been considering flats, but that's a very different ballgame. I'm sure I'll get MUCH better tone for sliding and playing fingerstyle, but I don't want to lose any brightness or attack. It's integral to the sound of my band to have insanely aggressive tone. Does anyone play flats with a pick?

I probably sound like a schizo . . . Please help!

D'Daddario Chromes. Higher tension than some other flats, less string noise than round wounds, but they still retain some brightness that other flats lose.

[ETEcarmine]

Definitely want to retain brightness. Not really looking to have higher tension than some other flats, just higher tension than the EB strings.

[fourstringdrums]

Originally Posted by ETEcarmine

Definitely want to retain brightness. Not really looking to have higher tension than some other flats, just higher tension than the EB strings.

I don't know how much higher tension they are than EB's, but they're not floppy. I think they'd be your best bet.

[ETEcarmine]

Thanks. I've never even considered chromes. I'll look into them.

[The Craw]

Your best bet might be the EB Power Slinky 5 string set, it's 50-70-85-105-135. If you don't want to lose brightness and attack, stay away from flats. Chromes may be the brightest flats, but they're nowhere near what you're playing now.

Nothing at all wrong with rounds for fingerstyle, either.

[ETEcarmine]

Simple solution. That may be the best place to start. I think I'll do that the next time I change my strings.

Has anyone played half rounds (D'Addario)? What do you all think of those?

[cheezewiz]

High tension, bright flatwound strings? Rotosound Steve Harris sigs. These are exactly that. I like chromes too, but the Rotos are both stiffer, and brighter.

[ETEcarmine]

I'm going to have a nice list of strings to go through Well, that's what it's going to take to find my niche. Just wish it was like guitar, $5 a pack and a string change every 2-4 weeks . . .

I don't think the Steve Harris sigs come in a 5 string set. Do you know of anything similar?

[cheezewiz]

Ahh...I forgot you can't get the SH set in a fiver. Sorry.
In that case, I'd recomend the RS555LD set. (Rotosound solobass 55. These are groundwound). Go to the Rotosound site. They actually have sound clips for each set of strings.

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by ETEcarmine

Simple solution. That may be the best place to start. I think I'll do that the next time I change my strings.

Has anyone played half rounds (D'Addario)? What do you all think of those?

I'm still breaking in my D'Addario Half Rounds but so far so good. They are still really bright but have a lot of thump, and feel very much like a flat.

Recommended for what you're trying to achieve!

[ETEcarmine]

Thanks! Sounds very interesting . . . Probably most interesting. Anyone esle have experience with these strings?

[Taurus]

Ken Smith compressors. A little higher tension ,smooth finish and still bright. The only string I've used for years.