Strings for a first bass:

Gryph05 · #1 12-08-2009, 07:11 AM

I just recently ordered my first bass (ESP LTD Viper 254) I have done some research and it seems that most people immediately take their stock strings and throw them out, and as such I have been at different reviews and ideas for strings.

I'm going for either a Steve Harris or a metal sound with more growl. (Harris is my inspiration, metal is mostly what I listen to)

After mentioning SH, I was getting alot of advice to go for his RS SH77 Heavy Gauge strings, but I have a couple questions.

1. Considering the guitar is set up with (I'd assume) a lighter gauge string, am I going to have a problem with the stock nut / bridge?

2. With a 34" Scale, could having such a heavy gauge string lead to problems in bowing or warping?

Thing is, I want a sound that I'm going to be inspired to play, and I wouldn't mind getting used to a heavy string early, but not at the cost of possibly having future damage my new bass at the cost of it.

Phalex · #2 12-08-2009, 07:23 AM

Use the strings that come it for a few months. (They're going to be round wounds, so just get a feel for the feel.) Steve Harris sig strings are flat wound. Way different feel, and way different tone.

What is your reasoning behind heavy gauge strings?? I'd stick to mediums if I were you until you figure out if you actually like a heavier or lighter gauge. Concentrate on figuring out if you like roundwounds, or flat wounds, or nickle or stainless before you go messing with string gauge.

(Personally, I like a heavier D & G string, but a .105 E is what I find most comfy.)

Figure out your own preferences, but stay away from heavy gauge unless you are downtuning.

Gryph05 · #3 12-08-2009, 07:34 AM

Thanks for the quick reply.

There were a couple reasons behind it.

1. I've been reading alot about trashing stock strings as soon as you get them. Tone, quality, string noise, all factors.

2. In my first thread asking for advice on basses themselves, as soon as I mentioned Steve Harris, I got all kinds of replies for P-basses with Steve Harris signature strings, to match the tone. His strings (Rotosound SH77 Flatwounds) just happen to be Heavy gauged.

3. I figured if I was going for a sound, I might as well get used to it now. Playing for a few months with a lighter gauge string, and getting a feel for the how it bends, the speed, and tension, just to switch to something heavier/lighter with a totally different feel just doesn't seem ideal. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Phalex · #4 12-08-2009, 07:54 AM

I guess my point is that advice is all well and good, but making up your mind on something as subjective as strings based solely on outside input may not be the best course of action. As a player you'll have years to decide what you like and what you don't. Go for the heavy gauge strings if you want to, but don't rule out the possibility that you may like something else better.

Form your own opinion about what you like. That's all I'm saying.

lmfreeman9 · #5 12-09-2009, 07:23 AM

+1 on what Phalex said. You need to form some experience and cheap roundwounds are a good middle of the road. Try them and determine your direction from there.

Meatrus · #6 12-09-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gryph05

Thanks for the quick reply.

There were a couple reasons behind it.

1. I've been reading alot about trashing stock strings as soon as you get them. Tone, quality, string noise, all factors.

2. In my first thread asking for advice on basses themselves, as soon as I mentioned Steve Harris, I got all kinds of replies for P-basses with Steve Harris signature strings, to match the tone. His strings (Rotosound SH77 Flatwounds) just happen to be Heavy gauged.

3. I figured if I was going for a sound, I might as well get used to it now. Playing for a few months with a lighter gauge string, and getting a feel for the how it bends, the speed, and tension, just to switch to something heavier/lighter with a totally different feel just doesn't seem ideal. Correct me if I'm wrong.

+1 to whats already been said. But thought I could help with these 3. Getting rid of your stock strings is fine, and what I would do, but as its your first bass its good to have a starting point, of what is normal. It also worth finding out what make they are (they may be ok), so you can rule out them in the future (or go for again)

The Rotosound Steve Harris set is a very bad idea for a beginner in my opinion. They will be uncomfortable, and quite likely painful in tension, they would also require setup work first. And if the nut needed altering, then you decided you dont like the strings, you then need a new nut.

Also flatwounds for metal isnt very common, so you may be limiting yourself to one persons sound (as you will be learning other people music at first), where as with a roundwound you will be able to sound similar to Harris, and lots of metal players.

And yes you are wrong

, switching gauge wont take any longer than a couple of days max to get used to, and its highly likely you will switch gauges many times over the years. So its not worth thinking about really.

My recommendation would be to use the stock strings also. Then when you buy new ones, go for a different make standard gauge, unless you found the originals uncomfortable in size either way.

Hope this helps