string advice on my stingray

ishouldbeking · #1 02-06-2007, 04:55 PM

Hey guys, I'm a newbie here just looking for a wee bit of advice.

I play a single HB stingray with a Gallien Krueger 2001RB through a 410rbh cab. Also note that i play with a pick. I love my gear (and i certainly spent enough on it) but at the time i bought it seven or eight years ago I really had no idea what i was getting, thus i ended up with what seems like the BRIGHTEST setup possible. And of course not knowing which strings would be best, i wound up with rotosound stainless steels on there, only adding to the brightness.

I generally like the sound I get... I never have a problem sounding like the cure, and i can get some nice guitar-ish type leads sometimes, but I was wondering what strings might be a good choice to ROUND out the sound a bit and give me a little thump. I get the feeling flatwounds might be a bit too dark for my tastes, but i'm open to all suggestions. Oh, my style is mainly rock w/ some punk and post/punk, indie rock, shoegaze, and just a tiny bit of funk. THANKS in advance.

Michael Jewels · #2 02-06-2007, 05:18 PM

If the Rotosounds you're referring to are the 66s, they're one of the brightest strings out there.

If you want some thump with a Stingray, these are my suggestions:

1.) Try flatwound strings. If you don't like flats, try Elixirs. Both will cut down on the 'Ray's brightness. Don't buy another set of stainless steel strings, try nickel. The only way to really get to know if you'll like a particular string is to put them on your own bass, or play another Stingray which has those same strings installed on them.
2.) Roll your treble back on your bass. I keep mine almost all the way off.
3.) Play between the pickup and the neck, or over the end of the neck.

The only other things I can suggest are to try a different cabinet, perhaps with a 15 in it, and/or try playing with your fingers.

Good luck.

Mike

DavePlaysBass · #3 02-06-2007, 07:00 PM

D'Addario XL nickels, GHS Boomers, or Ernie Ball Slinkies would get you in the nickel round wound camp for $20 or less and one if not all three of those options should be at your local music store. I would start there. If those are too bright, you might start looking for the higher priced flat wound and Elixer options.

Dave

seansbrew · #4 02-06-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

D'Addario XL nickels, GHS Boomers, or Ernie Ball Slinkies would get you in the nickel round wound camp for $20 or less and one if not all three of those options should be at your local music store. I would start there. If those are too bright, you might start looking for the higher priced flat wound and Elixer options.

Dave

+1

When I had a Ray, GHS, Slinkies, basically just about any nickel steel string sounded good. In fact, I ended up using Carvin brand nickels on my Ray, it really brought out the mids and tamed the highs. But most importantly,they were inexspensive. Check out Carvin.com

FidgetStone · #5 02-06-2007, 08:06 PM

As a 6-year Stringray player I would echo Jewels' comments almost exactly. I would, however, emphasize option #1. I just put Fender flats on a couple of weeks ago after never having played flats on this bass before and, after a very short period of getting used to the new feel, I am stunned by how nice the bass sounds.

There is a new found P-bass thump behind a little darker Stingray sound. And, as you well know, the Stringray is naturally bright so the new sound still cuts through the mix. I really like the added depth to the Ab on down on the E string, and the G string is less nasal.

One note of caution, because flats tend to be a bit higher tension than rounds, consider gettting a slightly lighter guage that you usually get. This is an experiment that is well worth the cost of one set of strings in my humble opinion.

Peace . . .

ishouldbeking · #6 02-08-2007, 06:16 PM

Aw, you guys are great. Appreciate the quick response. I ordered some flatwounds off of webstrings as a cheap experiment. I figure if i hate em on the 'ray I can always throw them on my jazz. If these don't work I'll test out some nickel strings. Probably go with ernie ball, but what about DR sunbeams, good strings in general?

mulambo · #7 02-08-2007, 06:38 PM

Well, i used Ernie Balls Slinky and Daddarios XLs on my EBMM5 - Great sound, altough i preferred the Ernie Balls. The Daddarios sounds quite thin to me
I also used the Daddario Chromes with great results. Excellent sound for rock, with some drive on amp.
As i am playing in a rock band now, with poor acoustic enviroments to play, i tried the DR HiBeams for a more agressive sound.
Man.....awesome!! The bass turned on a furious beast cutting trough all the muddiness a rock band produces on rehearsals..

.
The dudes said, Mulambo, what a sound!!! U are a bass god!! hehehehe...

An the strings are incredible smooth!!!! unbelivable for a steel set!!

Crabby · #8 02-08-2007, 06:44 PM

I love Blue Steels on my Ray but I have a very warm mid centered bass rig.

Try enhancing the mids on your rig's eq and calm down the treble a bit. You might find that just a bit of eq'ing is all you need!

JimmyM · #9 02-08-2007, 08:48 PM

Why not just leave the strings on there and let them go dead? I usually like strings a day or two after I put them on and they usually last me a month or two with that sound before they get too dead for me.

CElton · #10 02-09-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

I love Blue Steels on my Ray but I have a very warm mid centered bass rig.

Try enhancing the mids on your rig's eq and calm down the treble a bit. You might find that just a bit of eq'ing is all you need!

+1 on this advice. I have found that a preamp with a notch filter like a Hartke or such can take out just enough of the frequency that is harsh.

Love the 'Rays. I have a Pre EB 4 string.