strings for my new stingray? I hate EB slinkys...

plorenzo · #1 12-05-2008, 03:23 AM

Hi!

I just bought a new EB stingray 4 and I really hate the stock EB strings it came equipped with. Always hated them....

I find the sound of these strings to be boomy and muddy, while retaining an annoying zingness... I tried eqing on the bass and head but I could not get the tone I wanted. I was always lost in the mix and booooooooooomy. I know it's the strings because they sounded like this on every bass I tried them.

I'd like to get a more controlled and focused tone, the first thing that came to mind was DR hi beams which I like on my spector bass... but these strings are mid scooped so I wonder if I would get lost in the mix even more...

what do you think? any other suggestions? should I go steels or nickels?

thanks

eedo · #2 12-06-2008, 07:02 AM

Try EB flats. They are balanced, maybe a bit middy. They may seem too clanky at first, but after breaking in it'll be ok, especially on an ash-bodied bass.

TimWilson · #3 12-06-2008, 07:07 AM

DR Hi-Beams. The ultimate anti-mud, anti-boomy strings.

CElton · #4 12-06-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimWilson

DR Hi-Beams. The ultimate anti-mud, anti-boomy strings.

+1000

Smallmouth_Bass · #5 12-06-2008, 07:15 AM

Someone had posted a recent thread that he really liked DR Low Riders on his Stingray. I haven't tried them on mine yet but I have them on my SuperJ 5 and like them a lot.

eedo · #6 12-06-2008, 08:02 AM

And yes, steel Lo-Riders, I liked them very much on a MM Sterling, unlike nickel Lo-Riders

TimWilson · #7 12-06-2008, 08:08 AM

I just got a couple sets of lo-riders that I'm gonna wind onto my Kubicki. As soon as the old Markley's die...

73jbass · #8 12-06-2008, 08:12 AM

I've been using Elixirs for several years on all my MM basses, except one that has EB flats. Great results with both depending on what tone your after. I also used DR Hi Beams with good results too.

Joe Kyle · #9 12-06-2008, 08:31 AM

I have a ray, and also disliked ernie balls.

DR Fat-Beams are really nice, and my girlfriend got me a set of Sunbeams (cant believe she remembered the guages, and even nickel!) for christmas. Ill record a sound clip later if i can.

wazzel · #10 12-06-2008, 09:01 AM

I like DR medium lo-riders in steel on my SR5. I also had good luck with D'adarios.

woody357 · #11 12-06-2008, 11:19 AM

I just got a Bongo two months ago ,and it came with Ernie Balls on it also,, but I kind of like them, this is the first time I've ever used them so I'm giving them a try. I normally use Ken Smith Rock or Slap Masters, but these EBs are not bad not at all. I may try Dr BB when these are done.

plorenzo · #12 12-08-2008, 05:24 AM

thanks!

I tried an old set of flatwounds I had and dind't like them on the stingray.

now it's time to get steels and hear what happens

60HzRumble · #13 12-08-2008, 06:47 AM

I found the DR Marcus Miller sig set was exactly was I was looking for out of my MM Sterling - and they last me a few months with heavy playing and never lose their brightness and clarity.

LightGroove · #14 12-08-2008, 06:50 AM

Hey now,

I never do this but the search function is a GREAT tool.Switch it over to advanced mode and type in your specific request. There are quite a few threads out there discussing this issue.

Anyways... When I received my 'ray it had dead Slinkies on it. I went the safe route and bought a new set. I know very little when it comes to tensions and tones and such when it comes to strings but first first reaction was

So I did a bit of research and found the Nickel Lo-riders and Sunbeams were a safe choice. The Lo-riders sound incredible nice deep bottom and a little snappy up top. The Sunbeams were on and off within 30 minutes as they really intensified the mid girth but lacked the low end.

I think you would be please with the Nickle Lo-riders

plorenzo · #15 12-09-2008, 12:33 PM

the thing I most hate of these EB strings is they are too stiff.

I like high tension, but these are stiff in a wrong way, I don't like how they react if you dig too much and they hit the frets. It seems like they get stuck into the frets instead of bouncing off the fretboard... (DR hi beams do bounce, instead)

well, I can't explain it better than this, for now. sorry, my bad english

rappa29 · #16 12-09-2008, 01:53 PM

I have DR Nickel LoRiders on my Stingray 4H. I like them.

LightGroove · #17 12-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Well the last steel Lo-riders I played were fairly stiff. The Nickel version is a little less to me. The sunbeams are even moreso but then you lose the tone . So....of course it is always subjective and sometime you have to take the plunge. I've got a set of Sunbeams waiting for a home..They didn't make the Cirrus cut either.