Strings for an Ibanez

[m_bisson]

Hey everyone.

I recently got an Ibanez SR700. It came with Elixer strings and I've given them plenty of time to break in. My problem is that they sound very clangy/metal-ish and I prefer a warmer/smoother sound. I want to stick with rounds, but am new to bass and haven't tried many of the string options avaiable.

Are there any strings that fit my criteria?
Thank you in advance

[SurferJoe46]

I have not yet experienced Elixir Nanos getting that way, and I have a set on my SR500 that are originals too.

They get mellower and mellower with age and I somehow feel there is some other dynamic involved in your problem than the strings getting bright.

That's just backwards to my knowledge.

Elixir Nanos are the go-to string for Ibanezezzesses, and I even have them on my Fenders and a couple of Squiers too, they are so nice and mellow.

Answer this first though ::: how are you cleaning these strings?

Your answer here might be a revelation.

[m_bisson]

I've never cleaned strings before. Not on my guitars anyways. Should I try doing it for these?

[KingRazor]

I too have noticed Elixers being too bright and clangy, especially with the high strings.

DR Sunbeams are said to be quite warm, they might be worth a shot. D'Addario Nickels are still pretty bright but they break in after a while (so I've read) and get pretty warm.

Cleaning your strings is a good habit, but it won't make them warmer.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by m_bisson

I've never cleaned strings before. Not on my guitars anyways. Should I try doing it for these?

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I too have noticed Elixers being too bright and clangy, especially with the high strings.

DR Sunbeams are said to be quite warm, they might be worth a shot. D'Addario Nickels are still pretty bright but they break in after a while (so I've read) and get pretty warm.

Cleaning your strings is a good habit, but it won't make them warmer.

I ruined a set of Elixir Nanos pretty quick when I used a string cleaner on them.

The 'kitty fur' that appears on them after playing them for a while is normal, but if you rip it off by using a commercial string cleaner like the GHS Fast Fret, you'll cut through the coating and that's not good.

Just wipe them down with a dry, soft rag - I buy a 4-pack of face cloths at WalMart for that purpose and use any color but white for everything but waxing.

The white face cloths are for waxing only. That keeps any incidental grit and grime contamination from grinding it's way into the finish of the bass.

[m_bisson]

Hmm.. I've always been on to let the strings get grimy/dirty on purpose. It's usually resulted in a warmer sound for me. I'll try the DR sunbeams if these Elixers don't warm up soom.

[ksandvik]

Get another brand of strings if you don't like Elixirs. You might need to shop around for a while until you find the ones you like, that's how it goes.

[Imyrhuckleberry]

DR sunbeams have been recommended earlier but I would like to suggest DR hi-beams. They have a round core that is designed to stretch a bit when you push the string down. The feeling is ridiculously nice. I have them on one of my most versatile basses (an Ibanez sr1300pm) and they keep getting better with age. Also, stay away from DR lowriders or Bootzillas if you don't like metallic sounding strings because both are great for ripping funk grooves but not the cleanest.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Imyrhuckleberry

DR sunbeams have been recommended earlier but I would like to suggest DR hi-beams. They have a round core that is designed to stretch a bit when you push the string down. The feeling is ridiculously nice. I have them on one of my most versatile basses (an Ibanez sr1300pm) and they keep getting better with age. Also, stay away from DR lowriders or Bootzillas if you don't like metallic sounding strings because both are great for ripping funk grooves but not the cleanest.

The Sunbeams are also round core and made of nickel so they sound warmer, which is what this guy wants.

I just recently got some Circle K strings and I love them but they may be just a tad too zingy for you. I'm not exactly sure how these will sound once they've broken in.