Strings For Stingray?

spiltcoil · #1 12-19-2010, 05:21 PM

Hey folks! Within a couple weeks, I may be the proud owner of a beautifull used 2006 Ernie Ball Musiman Stingray. It is currently strung with flats and has a rosewood board. I was just wondering what some 'Ray players favorite rounds to use are. I was thinking of going with my favorites, DR Sunbeams. Any other recommendations? I don't use D'addario strings and it's been a while since I have tried Ernie Ball's. I may even decide to go with flats (but not Chromes) if I like how the current ones sound. Thanks!

LowendinFL · #2 12-19-2010, 06:36 PM

I usually use the standard size Ernie Balls on my Ray. (pink package). Now I have the coated ones on there and seem to have gotten longer life than the standard as far as retaining their brightness. I just finished building a bass and figured I would give Blue Steels a try. (.45 - .100) I LOVE them! They sound awesome and the only downside is they are slightly rougher on the fingers. (Or maybe my fingers are soft from playing less). So guess whats going on my Ray next!

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 12-19-2010, 06:40 PM

I'm diggin' Dunlops right now on my Bongo, and I will soon be putting a set on my Ray!

The Mouse · #4 12-20-2010, 10:47 AM

I've had a set of d'addario chromes on mine for a while now. They sound great! Bright enough with a nice thud. And all of the high end click and sizzle has been tamed..
Just waiting to get my MM back from a luthier friend of mine. He's doing a set up for me and I'm giving LaBella flats a try... I've heard nothing but good things about 'em..

Keep you posted eh?

dave64o · #5 12-20-2010, 11:22 AM

I've had two Stingrays (sold one because of weight, still have the other) that I've put Lo Riders on and I love how those strings sound and feel. I put the stainless steels on the one I sold and tried nickels on the one I have now and I think I like the nickels a little bit more, but both sound fantastic.

The previous owners of both basses had Slinky's on them when I bought them and those string sounded fine but they didn't last long at all - and I'm someone who usually prefers the sound of roundwounds that have lost their new string zinginess. My nickel Lo Riders are about a year old and still sound great, to me anyway.

EDIT:

You mentioned you like Sunbeams. I have a new (to me) FNA Jazzman that I just put Sunbeams on and in general I'd say the Sunbeams are pretty similar to the Lo Riders. The main differences are that the Lo Riders are wound on a hex core and therefore feel a little stiffer (which I prefer) and I'd also say they're not quite as bright as the Sunbeams (they seem to emphasize lower mids than the Sunbeams do). But I do like them, they seem to be a good match for that Warwick.

I'm also curious to hear what you think if you put flats on it. I considered using flats on my Stingray but I was thinking that might change what, in my head anyway, is classic Stingray tone, plus I had flats on three of my four basses at the time and wanted to have a roundwound sound in the bag of tricks. But I've had flats (Chromes) on three basses and really like them. The previous owner of my P5 had TI Jazz Flats on it when I bought it. They sounded AWESOME but I didn't like the feel. The Chromes seemed to be firmer so I gave them a try and found I found I also like the sound a lot. But if you try some other flats to get a thumpier, thuddier, less bright sound I'd be curious to hear about your results. Keep us posted.

MysticMichael · #6 12-20-2010, 12:38 PM

DR Hi Beams

MM

Norwoodrules · #7 12-20-2010, 12:40 PM

roto 66 are the best ive played so far.

CElton · #8 12-20-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

DR Hi Beams

MM

+1...Hi Beams on my SR4, and Fat Beams on my SR5.

jwr · #9 12-20-2010, 12:51 PM

My favorites so far are DR "Fat Beams" Marcus Miller Signature Series. I've owned a Ray for several years and these are by far the best string I've had on it.

Side question about DR strings. Has anyone seen the neon ones? Do they sound good? Weird stuff!

superfunk47 · #10 12-20-2010, 01:00 PM

I'm sold on DR. Sunbeams if you like flexibility, Low Riders if you like 'em more stiff. If you like SS, Hi Beams or SS Low Riders. All about preferences. Personally, it's Sunbeams all the way if I'm playing rounds.

spiltcoil · #11 12-20-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfunk47

I'm sold on DR. Sunbeams if you like flexibility, Low Riders if you like 'em more stiff. If you like SS, Hi Beams or SS Low Riders. All about preferences. Personally, it's Sunbeams all the way if I'm playing rounds.

Yeah, I've been Sun's on all my basses for a while now. I have an extra set laying around from when I switched to TI's on my Precision, so I'll probably try them.

ducknturtle · #12 12-20-2010, 03:55 PM

Another vote for Sunbeams.

FunkyBassline · #13 12-20-2010, 03:59 PM

+1 for the coated slinkys... they rock. Although I just bought some orange strings off of stringsbyaurora.com and am pretty excited about it, we'll see how they turn out.

tharv · #14 12-20-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mouse

I've had a set of d'addario chromes on mine for a while now. They sound great! Bright enough with a nice thud. And all of the high end click and sizzle has been tamed..

+1

I have Chromes on my Ray 34 & love 'em!! The EB's that came on it were just too bright for my taste. The Chromes are just right IMO, and getting better with age!

Disco_Gee · #15 12-20-2010, 04:19 PM

DR Hi-Beams, or Fat-Beams.

Actually, I tend to use the DR Black Beauties on both my Stingrays.

Imyrhuckleberry · #16 12-20-2010, 07:27 PM

DR Bootzillas are my choice for my SR classic. But I am going to try some Rotosound 66 next because I came across some unwrapped Xmas presents and the Rotosounds were there and I don't have the heart to return them for the Zillas.