Strings for heavy rock

[SwamiRob]

I'm having a bit of problem finding stings to suit pick playing, maybe it's my bass but I always seem to get loads of pick noise that I can't get rid of. I've been playing with one for a pretty long time so I don't think it's my technique, I do play with a .73mm nylon pick which some people seem to think is kinda thin but I use my thumb, index AND middle finger when I play so only a little sticks out, so it doesn't seem like that could be causing too much extra noise before and after hitting a note.

I can kinda get rid of the over the top twang by getting rid of some high mids but it removes alot of clarity when I do that. I just want some strings that'll sound really deep and thick without too much brightness to them but with plenty of clarity, might some of the classic Fender ones be a good way to go?

[SoLongJake]

Ever try felt picks? they play like picks but without the pick noise.

[Nick Kay]

Flats with a bigger pick. /thread

[meev992]

Originally Posted by SoLongJake

Ever try felt picks? they play like picks but without the pick noise.

i have a compressed felt pick. It's huge and i stopped using it because: would destroy my Elixrs / embed fibers in my tapewound strings.

[Solarmist]

Dunlop Nylons: .46 / .60 / .73 , Aren't they just the greatest! They don't slip around in your fingers like plastic ones-been using them for 21 years. I too play with just the tip and part of the side.

[dragoon419]

Go with D'addario XLs, they work well for everything. Or, go with DRs, they are super bright and growly.

For picks; try Planet Waves's Surepick. Apparently they don't have the noise you get from regular picks.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by dragoon419

For picks; try Planet Waves's Surepick. Apparently they don't have the noise you get from regular picks.

Steve Clayton's "Black Raven" picks claim to reduce pick noise as well.

[SwamiRob]

Originally Posted by dragoon419

Go with D'addario XLs, they work well for everything. Or, go with DRs, they are super bright and growly.

Not a fan of the brightness, otherwise I'd probably have found something by now. Dunno how flats would fare been hit as hard as possible with a plectrum? Don't they sound pretty double bassy and are more of a fingerstyle thing? I play a pretty wide variety of music with my ATK, good old boring Ernie Balls do the trick for my Fender Bullet, but It's mostly really aggressive rock music.

[Would'e?]

I use the Dunlop Stubby triangles, 2mm for heavy rock. They are made of lexan which is very stiff and hard, but -- perhaps counterintutively -- pass on none of the traditional "clicky" pick sound. The attack is distinct but very smooth and, in fact, I can get a sharper attack from my fingers than I can get from these picks. Oh and I use SS strings AND boost my highs too. Still no click with this pick.

[plastik-bass[?]]

Ernie Ball Electric Bass Guitar - Roundwound Power Slinky, .055 - .110

I dont use a pick but in my grunge/heavy rock/metal band these strings seem to be pretty good and arent that expensive!

[meev992]

Originally Posted by plastik-bass[?]

Ernie Ball Electric Bass Guitar - Roundwound Power Slinky, .055 - .110

I dont use a pick but in my grunge/heavy rock/metal band these strings seem to be pretty good and arent that expensive!

+1

these strings are great. Lube them up with some fast fret and you're ready to rock

[eddiebo]

+1 on the EB Slinky nickel strings
or DR Sunbeams
stainless roundwound strings like RotoSounds are noisy

also for some cheap experimentation...
try lowering your pickup(s) a bit - like a screw turn or so
and try a 1mm pick like a tortex one instead of the nylon

let us know how things work out

[SwamiRob]

Yeah those are the gauges I use on my bullet, there's just something about them I don't like on stingray kinda basses, sound good for fenders though. I might try a heavier pick like you guys said and see if it makes a difference, I manage to break bottom Es with my .73 nylon so I dunno what anything heavier will do in that department. Wanna try fenders again cos it's been a while, anyone know if they do any of their old style strings in a string through length? Also found some strings called D'Aquisto Rock Bottoms that look very interesting. Anyone know what they're like?I'll check out the DRs since so many people have mentioned them, if only I had a little longer till I went in the studio to try some out, only have till Saturday and have practically no money.

Lowering the pickup is good advice, tried it a bit already but might go a little lower and make up for it with some extra gain. I have a set of strangely good but very cheap "Memphis String Company" strings that's packet is in the style of a bottle of Jack that will do. Good but not perfect anyone heard of them by the way?

[meev992]

I play a 2.00 mm Acetal pick, and I've never broken a string.

[SwamiRob]

I play unhealthily hard though and mess my fingers up in the process sometimes, got a blood blister on my middle finger and the nail on my middle finger on my thumb is all scabby round the edges at the moment.

Not to try and be macho (I'm a little on the scrawny side and generally soft side if anything if you ever saw me in person) but I hit my strings all the way from my chest in heavier bits. Broken my strings at loads of gigs though, got to play a few very nice basses lent on the night as a result though

[meev992]

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

but I hit my strings all the way from my chest in heavier bits.

I take the Bruce Lee approach: short stroke, but enough power to kill you.

[SwamiRob]

Heheheh, yeah I've been meaning to work on the old wrist strength, It's only on very rare occasions (always live) that it ends up happening. I'm pretty much fine with technique just get well into it on stage sometimes, the amount of times all us 3 guitarists should have fallen over is unbelievable, it's gonna happen one day. It's what you get for for being in a post-hardcore band I guess.

The string shopping list at the moment is:

1) DR Sunbeams, maybe nickel Low-Riders as they claim to be very warm and deep without mentioning the B word at all in the description, which can only be good
2) D'Aquisto Rock Bottoms, they do 110s which is always a nice prospect
3) Fender old styley - string through length, also do 110s and will sound Fendery

[meev992]

So no Ernie Balls on that list? They're really nice strings.

[SwamiRob]

Tried them lots of times on my ATK, not my kinda thing. 110 Ernie Balls Sounds lovely on my Bullet though.