Strings for 5 string

Lazarus12 · #1 10-18-2009, 02:08 PM

Okay, I have had my strings since Christmas last year. I have used the ones that have come with the bass, so that would mean I have had them for 10 months

So I believe it is time for a change. I play mostly rock, Message In A Bottle, Joy Division, Tool, Disturbed, Rush. In that category. I usually tune drop D. What would be the best strings? I don't slap and pop a lot on my 5 string. I pick occasionally, but I mostly use fingerstyle. Thanks in advance

smogg · #2 10-18-2009, 02:14 PM

http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

read, listen, have fun.

Lazarus12 · #3 10-18-2009, 02:18 PM

The link is broken

Jim Nazium · #4 10-18-2009, 02:21 PM

There are no "best" strings, there are only strings that you like or dislike. Generally, stainless steel roundwounds have the brightest tone. Nickel roundwounds are a bit darker, and flatwounds have more of a "thud" sound, almost like an upright bass. You just have to experiment to find what you like, but a place to start is to find some players whoes sound you like and find out what they use.

smogg · #5 10-18-2009, 02:24 PM

http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

Oops, try this. Don't worry too much about the brand but it will show you the difference between stainless rounds, nickel rounds, etc.

lindseyp · #6 10-18-2009, 05:18 PM

Ed Friedland has been "the man" for a long time when it comes to bass advice.
OK, enough about that.
I just put D'Addario EXL 170-5s on my 35-inch scale MTD Kingston Artist, 45-65-80-100-130. The set sounds nice so far. This is a bass set up for slappers and the strings seem to have perfect tension.

LaklandBass · #7 10-18-2009, 05:23 PM

I just put on some D'addario Half Wounds on my 4 string. They are very impressive.

lindseyp · #8 10-18-2009, 05:24 PM

Forgot to mention, the last set on strings on said MTD Artist was DR, I think they were Low Riders. It took a while for them to go dead, so if you get a set you need to pay attention to your sound.

gjbassist · #9 10-18-2009, 05:28 PM

DR Extra Life. Not only very good strings but they come in some cool colors!

Solarmist · #10 10-18-2009, 05:45 PM

Stainless rounds = really bright
Nickel rounds = warm & bright
Half-rounds = warm & not so bright
Flats = dull & not bright

Lazarus12 · #11 10-18-2009, 05:55 PM

I was thinking Ernie ball Power Slinkies, I think it was .50-.135. Sound good?

DavePlaysBass · #12 10-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Tool and Rush sound like a steel string to me. Rotos, La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels, Ken Smith Rock Masters.

Lazarus12 · #13 10-18-2009, 07:14 PM

I saw some roto 66 swing. Would that be sufficient?

Tropic · #14 10-18-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

DR Extra Life. Not only very good strings but they come in some cool colors!

I was thinking of getting black beauties, are those good?

EDIT: wow they are the same thing.

Lazarus12 · #15 10-18-2009, 07:24 PM

I had the red ones, they were pretty boss

gjbassist · #16 10-18-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropic

I was thinking of getting black beauties, are those good?

EDIT: wow they are the same thing.

I like them a lot. They sound good and are coated so they last longer and are a bit easier on the fingers. The only thing I didn't like is that I attack the strings fairly hard, so the black actually started to wear off in those areas rather quickly.

jjbass_gt · #17 10-19-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus12

I saw some roto 66 swing. Would that be sufficient?

Those rotosounds are nice and bright, however they do die kinda fast.