I've got a Yamaha BB with a set of neodymium pickups. When I installed the pups I had a set of D'addario Chromes [flats] and it sounded great, but no growl. So I went to the other extreme and put on a set of D'addario ProSteels and now I've got all sorts of high-end harmonics happening that distract from the bass sound.
So I'm trying to find something in the middle and am considering either the D'addario 1/2 rounds or DR coated [Red Devils]. Anyone with any opinions they care to share?
I'd go with the half rounds. I have GHS Brite Flats on my P and I like them a lot. They use a magnetically active material for the wrap rather than the stainless you mostly find on true flats. It adds a good bit of mids and keeps the lows very punchy. One way to find out what you like: Check out different strings until you find a set you like.
Thanx. I was leaning toward the half rounds. With a regular guitar, swapping strings is routine, but with a 5 string bass, it starts getting expensive. The Chromes were $60 and the ProSteels pretty close to that. I think the 1/2 rounds come in closer to the $40 mark.
Had them on for a day and went back to the ProSteels. Found they sounded dead when recorded and I actually missed the added girth of the rounds. I had the treble wide open and kept trying for more high-end, but none was there. With the ProSteels I could at least roll off the excess high-end and get a tone I liked. Didn't like the feel of them that much either. Another failed experiment.
What failure? You learned something, didn't you? If you want to do more experimenting, try adjusting the height of your pickups to alter the sound before changing strings.
Josh
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It's not the arrow, it's the indian!
What failure? You learned something, didn't you? If you want to do more experimenting, try adjusting the height of your pickups to alter the sound before changing strings.
Josh
I just put a set of Dean Markely Rocco Prestia NPR Round Cores on my BTB 5 stringer. The Bart electronics sounded the sweetest with D'Addario Nickel Wraps but when I put on the Rocco Prestia Strings YOW. The round core must have something to do with it. Man the bass now sounds absolutely ferocious with punch, pop and tone for days. they're a little stiffer but not as stiff as Boomers. Great attack and clarity on the low B which is .125.
