Strings suggestion welcome for string novice

[bennyblu]

I am looking to put on a new set of strings-considering flat wounds just to experience them.

I play in a rock covers band but want to develop my slapping-reading through other posts it seems (as to be expected) string selection is very much trial and error over a period of time.

I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a good all round set of strings as a starting point for my "string journey" lol (bearing in mind I want to develop slap, experience flats if poss and continue my rock work). I only have one yamaha bass at mo so cannot put seperate strings on seperate basses.

Thanks in advance

[cnltb]

I have mine made by these good people. Unfortunatelly they don't do flats yet. I'm very happy with them.
Fantastic customer service too!
http://www.newtonestrings.com/

[Meatrus]

I would stay away from flats if your going for a decent slap tone. Some people like the tone of flats when slapped, but I'm sure it wont be the tone your after.

Stainless steel roundwonds seem (to me) to have the most traditional slap tone, and they are what most of your bass heroes will be using in one make or another. However, a lot of SS rounds can feel rough, so that may be worth thinking about if this could bother you.

If you think the roughness may bother you I would start with Nickel roundwounds and go from there. If you feel they lack something maybe try a different brand, or if its not even close to the tone your after a good brand of stainless steel rounds after. Nickels do seem to be the most beginner friendly IMO, as they are what most basses come strung with, so you will be more use to them.

Overall my best advise if time and funds would allow would be to buy a cheap set of Nickels, and a cheap set of steels and compare them. But you can find some sound samples on here, youtube and other sites, the Rotosound site has sound samples of their Nickels and steels, and there is a comparison by Ed Friedland comparing DR strings here http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html.

Hope this helps (although looking back through it, it does seem a little unnecessarily long! )

[bennyblu]

Thats great advice mate-not long at all-that really helps-thanks a lot.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by bennyblu

Thats great advice mate-not long at all-that really helps-thanks a lot.

Cool, glad to help .

[rbolanos]

DR lowriders medium gauge
you'll be happy

[DaveAceofBass]

Flats are not good for slap. Go with DR Fatbeams or Sunbeams. The Lo-Riders are very nice too, more punchy for rock, but more tension overall. I used to use Lo-Riders a bunch, but recently have really been digging the Sunbeams and the Fatbeams. Nickel (sunbeams and nickel lo-riders) feel smoother and are a little warmer, the others are stainless steel and they have a bit more growl and bite.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

Flats are not good for slap. Go with DR Fatbeams or Sunbeams. The Lo-Riders are very nice too, more punchy for rock, but more tension overall. I used to use Lo-Riders a bunch, but recently have really been digging the Sunbeams and the Fatbeams. Nickel (sunbeams and nickel lo-riders) feel smoother and are a little warmer, the others are stainless steel and they have a bit more growl and bite.

Sunbeams are by far my favorite roundwound. Nice feel to them, and while they are not the brightest roundwound, the brightness they do have seems to last the longest in a roundwound string.

[bennyblu]

Thanks for the extra replies-will go for one of the DR options mentioned as a starting point. Most of the replies have cited these.

[DavePlaysBass]

My advice for someone just starting on the string journey is pick up a set of medium gauge nickel rounds (45-105 or 45-100). There's a ton to choose from: GHS Boomers, D'Addario XLs, Ernie Ball Slinkies, Fender 7250s. The four I mention are widely available and reasonably priced. Try them out and figure out what you like and what you would like more of. The nickel rounds will slap fine. And they are a step towards flats relative to steel rounds. If you want some bright steels, DR Hi Beams or Rotosound 66s are worth a shot.

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by Meatrus

I would stay away from flats if your going for a decent slap tone. Some people like the tone of flats when slapped, but I'm sure it wont be the tone your after.

Stainless steel roundwonds seem (to me) to have the most traditional slap tone, and they are what most of your bass heroes will be using in one make or another. However, a lot of SS rounds can feel rough, so that may be worth thinking about if this could bother you.

If you think the roughness may bother you I would start with Nickel roundwounds and go from there. If you feel they lack something maybe try a different brand, or if its not even close to the tone your after a good brand of stainless steel rounds after. Nickels do seem to be the most beginner friendly IMO, as they are what most basses come strung with, so you will be more use to them.

Overall my best advise if time and funds would allow would be to buy a cheap set of Nickels, and a cheap set of steels and compare them. But you can find some sound samples on here, youtube and other sites, the Rotosound site has sound samples of their Nickels and steels, and there is a comparison by Ed Friedland comparing DR strings here http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html.

Hope this helps (although looking back through it, it does seem a little unnecessarily long! )

+1

Nickel or SS rounds for slapping. A good starting point would be some brand of nickel rounds in 45105 like D'Adds XL, SIT Powerwounds, GHS Boomers ect.

[bennyblu]

Thanks a lot to everyone for your advice-I have just ordered a set of SS rounds-med gauge-DR lowriders off Amazon.

I am off on my "string Journey"! LOL

Thanks once again for the input-it was top notch!

[Surly]

I've tried several just for fun and my favorite are the Fender nickels (although I have never tried 7250's yet). My P-bass came with them and lots of people say "change the strings".... However here on talkbass you can read rave reviews about the 8250's or the 7150's. Stainless steel strings sound cool but don't have as good of feel IMO. Experiment a little, it's fun, strings don't last forever anyway!

[eyecandy]

nickel rounds have a good slap tone but they're not that bright... if you'd want a great slap tone then a great fingerstyle tone... then nickels... but if you're into slapping more than fingerstyle.. stainless rounds are way to go...

[bearshimmy]

I actually prefer nickels for slapping, it cuts through the mix much better, and it's still bright sounding, but without that annoying, glassy, zing that you get with stainless steel.