Two Part Question

jackajesusfreak · #1 06-30-2011, 08:53 AM

Part One: Aren't the 'hybrid' bass strings kind of a cross between flats and rounds, as far as 'texture/feel of the string' goes?

Part Two: (This question is for all the flat wound gurus); Are there actually differences in the different makes of flat wounds as far as bright vs warm and more vs less sustain?

Thanks in advance.

Jack

bassgod0dmw · #2 06-30-2011, 09:10 AM

Part One: I'm not sure what hybrid bass strings are. If you're referring to EB Hybrids, they are just a mix of a heavier set and a lighter set. A cross between flats & rounds IMO would be half rounds.

Part Two: Yes. They are just like any other string. Different feel, different tone, etc.

jackajesusfreak · #3 06-30-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Part One: I'm not sure what hybrid bass strings are. If you're referring to EB Hybrids, they are just a mix of a heavier set and a lighter set. A cross between flats & rounds IMO would be half rounds.

Part Two: Yes. They are just like any other string. Different feel, different tone, etc.

bg,

Well then I am looking for the 'brightest' flat with the most sustain! I know that bright and sustain are kind of an oxymoron as far as flatwounds are concerned, but what I'm after, bg, is a flat that I can use and have my guitar toned to upbeat praise and worship songs with some brightness and sustain, and then also be able to tone it to the more mellow offering/altar type songs where you can't hear the finger noise.

Suggestions? Thanks bg.

Jack

bassgod0dmw · #4 06-30-2011, 09:46 AM

Chromes are very bright right out of the box, as are Rotosound flats (but I'm not a fan of Rotos). They just tend to die quicker than rounds, but that's exactly what most flat players are looking for...a nice dull thud.

Steve Harris from Iron Maiden uses flats, he's got a very bright and clicky tone. He just has the luxury of using a new set every night to achieve it.

If you're using a passive instrument, I would think that using rounds would give you brightness & sustain, while turning the tone knob down would give you mellow & no finger noise.

jackajesusfreak · #5 06-30-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Chromes are very bright right out of the box, as are Rotosound flats (but I'm not a fan of Rotos). They just tend to die quicker than rounds, but that's exactly what most flat players are looking for...a nice dull thud.

Steve Harris from Iron Maiden uses flats, he's got a very bright and clicky tone. He just has the luxury of using a new set every night to achieve it.

If you're using a passive instrument, I would think that using rounds would give you brightness & sustain, while turning the tone knob down would give you mellow & no finger noise.

Good info here bg. Now let me ask the never ending question, which, btw, I've been around here long enough to know that I'm asking for more preference and opinion here, what rounds do you prefer under the conditions I've stated, and durability. I'm not queasy about digging into the wallet for something that will last, as opposed to changing strings every time I turn around.
I would be playing this particular bass (USA Peavey Passive Foundation) only about 4 times a month, tops!!

Thanks again,
Jack

tdub0199 · #6 06-30-2011, 09:56 AM

D'Addario Pro Steels are very very bright.....

jackajesusfreak · #7 06-30-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdub0199

D'Addario Pro Steels are very very bright.....

tb,
How about durability? Like I said, I would rather pay out and be able to keep them on. I've heard testimony of guys here that have had bass strings on for years! (I realize how much you play is the subjective factor)
Jack

tdub0199 · #8 06-30-2011, 10:02 AM

I use to use them and they would stay pretty bright for about six months and start to fade out.....

bassgod0dmw · #9 06-30-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

Good info here bg. Now let me ask the never ending question, which, btw, I've been around here long enough to know that I'm asking for more preference and opinion here, what rounds do you prefer under the conditions I've stated, and durability. I'm not queasy about digging into the wallet for something that will last, as opposed to changing strings every time I turn around.
I would be playing this particular bass (USA Peavey Passive Foundation) only about 4 times a month, tops!!

Thanks again,
Jack

I don't really know. Like you say, it's all personal preference. I use DR lo rider SS on everything and have a pretty heavy tone. I also use Chromes on my Stingray, but the plan is to leave them on there forever.

Of all the strings I've played I find that DR's last the longest for me.

I think anybody that has their strings on basses for years probably likes the sound of dead strings. I expect to get a good 3-6 months out of strings before they sound totally dead to me.

jackajesusfreak · #10 06-30-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I don't really know. Like you say, it's all personal preference. I use DR lo rider SS on everything and have a pretty heavy tone. I also use Chromes on my Stingray, but the plan is to leave them on there forever.

Of all the strings I've played I find that DR's last the longest for me.

I think anybody that has their strings on basses for years probably likes the sound of dead strings. I expect to get a good 3-6 months out of strings before they sound totally dead to me.

Of the DR selection, have you found the lo rider SS to be brightest and the most sustain of all the DR types?
Thanks,
Jack

bassgod0dmw · #11 06-30-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

Of the DR selection, have you found the lo rider SS to be brightest and the most sustain of all the DR types?
Thanks,
Jack

I haven't tried enough of them to say. SS strings in general are usually brighter than nickels.

I think sustain is more a combination of the instrument than just the strings. My Modulus will sustain for days no matter what strings are on it.

jackajesusfreak · #12 06-30-2011, 10:13 AM

Aren't steels typically brighter than nickel?

bassgod0dmw · #13 06-30-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

SS strings in general are usually brighter than nickels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackajesusfreak

Aren't steels typically brighter than nickel?

See above

Epidrake · #14 06-30-2011, 10:21 AM

I think you might be talking about ground wounds or some other hybrid. Dean Markley used to sell bass strings that were compressed flat on the neck and left round wound at the bridge. It was supposed to save your frets and give you smooth squeak free fretting. There are also ground strings that file away the outside of the strings to make them less squeaky and more flatlike.
You really do have to play around and try other people's basses to see what you like.

Epidrake · #15 06-30-2011, 10:22 AM

Also some players use foam by the bridge with flats to kill even more sustain and make them thud even more.

Floyd Eye · #16 07-03-2011, 06:28 AM

Steel strings are bright. Historically my favorites are Blue Steels. They stay bright ( if you wipe them down each time you play) for about 6 months. Recently I tried Roto 66 Swing Bass and I have a new favorite. They are very bright and more aggressive than the Blue Steels. The jury is out yet as to how long they stay that way. I have another set on the way as a back-up though anyway.

For flats, as Epidrake said the Ground Wounds are pretty bright, but D-addario Chromes are pretty bright too.

jasper383 · #17 07-03-2011, 07:18 AM

You want warm, but not thumpy, on a bass you will only be playing a little each month? It's a passive bass with a functioning tone control?

I suggest a coated string like Elixirs or DR Black Beauties. They will last almost forever based on your usage, and with the tone knob rolled down, will be plenty warm.

berwick63 · #18 07-03-2011, 01:16 PM

Not sure it's been mentioned in the thread, but you had said "Hybrid" strings. I believe, you are referring to Half-Wounds, Ground-Wounds, and Compression-Wounds. They're definitely inbetween flats and rounds.

johnk_10 · #19 07-03-2011, 02:11 PM

IME, the brightest flats that i've ever used are the new fender 9050's (the new ones, not the older version). they're almost as bright as rounds. chromes (while i love them on some of my basses) aren't anywhere near as bright.

here's a pic of just some of flats, half-rounds and pressurewounds that i always keep on hand that i've tried on my basses (not shown LaBella 760L):

natw42 · #20 07-03-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

You want warm, but not thumpy, on a bass you will only be playing a little each month? It's a passive bass with a functioning tone control?

I suggest a coated string like Elixirs or DR Black Beauties. They will last almost forever based on your usage, and with the tone knob rolled down, will be plenty warm.

+1
I was thinking this too - although IME Elixirs sound a little 'broken in' right out of the box, so I don't know if that is bright enough for the OP. The good news, is they stay sounding that way for a looooooooong time.

I have no personal experience w the BBs, so I don't know how bright they are in general.