Warm strings with a pick?

moosemoosemoose · #1 10-21-2008, 09:57 AM

Alright, I've had a search of the topics on here but I can't find the answer to my question. I shall keep it short:

I have a 57 reissue precision, I play primarily with a pick, I want warm, warm, warm as well as growl and a bit of twang. What do you all suggest?

Am I on the right track thinking about Rotosound Swing bass (my current strings) & GHS boomers

Thanks!

Buskman · #2 10-21-2008, 10:01 AM

Sounds like you need a set of flats!

BAsed on the tone you're looking for, I'd suggest either Thomastiks or D'addario Chromes.

Good luck in your search!

patzilla83 · #3 10-21-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buskman

Sounds like you need a set of flats!

BAsed on the tone you're looking for, I'd suggest either Thomastiks or D'addario Chromes.

Good luck in your search!

+1 for flats, especially thomastiks. just be prepared to feel like you're playing rubber bands until you're used to them. halfrounds or groundwounds would be good choices as well, plus they'll feel more familiar if you're not used to flats.

moosemoosemoose · #4 10-21-2008, 10:08 AM

I would be inclined to agree with you both, however....

I have tried both rotosound and fender flats and I'm finding that they don't give me enough growl and/or twang.

Half round and groundwounds, are they warm?

stflbn · #5 10-21-2008, 10:12 AM

If not getting enough twang from the others... try some D'addario Chromes. THump with some cutting edge to them.

fretlessman71 · #6 10-21-2008, 10:12 AM

Not warm enough. Flats are like rounds in that every brand is indeed different. If you've got a '57, I'm surmising that you also have a maple board, which will take care of a lot of the twang.

Try LaBella or D'Addario next. Thomastiks are also really nice, but they feel VERY different than your standard string - the string tension is much lighter. However, I believe that's a key component in the tone they get - quite stunning if you ask me. But it's a personal choice and personal taste. You're on the hunt - go get yer gun.

moosemoosemoose · #7 10-21-2008, 10:18 AM

and of these grounds and halfs, the opinions???

I thought they were just like round but a different feel. Are they warm that is the question!

SwamiRob · #8 10-21-2008, 10:18 AM

I can't remember what range it is exactly, but one type of Fenders rounds is designed to be pretty mellow but have a nice warm growl and twang to it, obviously alot of it's in your playing.

dougjwray · #9 10-21-2008, 10:19 AM

Maybe you could give us some references to the sound you want? Such as:
McCartney on "With a Little Help From My Friends"? (Beatles, obviously)?
Carol Kaye on "Help Me Rhonda" (Beach Boys)?
Joe Osborn on "Midnight Confessions" (Grassroots)?

All are warm and twangy. Actually, all involve flatwound strings. (Most likely LaBellas, except I'm not sure about McCartney.) Basses: Rickenbacker (McCartney), Fender Precision (Kaye), Fender Jazz (with VERY old strings) (Osborn).

Or maybe you're looking for a more modern sound?

moosemoosemoose · #10 10-21-2008, 10:31 AM

Good idea there Doug, ok here it is...

A more modern sound than those you mentioned, although I was thinking something like a cross between
McCartney on "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Razorlight guy "stumble & fall" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC_8LFj-F4w)
as well as the size of the Jamerson sound.

Maybe even with a bit more added growl on top!

Cheers!

moosemoosemoose · #11 10-21-2008, 12:20 PM

and this elvis costello song I wanna be loved - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNmPM3pz6MI
not sure of the bassist there

Does that random selection of bass sounds give you any idea???

Tusknia · #12 10-21-2008, 12:30 PM

Sorry to come off topic a bit here but what do you think of your
1957 reissue? I've been trying to find one to try out for ages.

dougjwray · #13 10-21-2008, 12:35 PM

Well, both of the samples you offered sound to me like a Precision Bass with roundwound strings. The Elvis Costello one sounds like it might be played with the thumb (slapped, not plucked); I've gotten that same sound that way. I used a compressor, BTW. The other one just sounds like your everyday aggressive pick playing, perhaps recorded with a mic right up to a speaker of an overdriven Ampeg SVT or something.
Maybe you're dealing with other factors, like the tone knob. Or the EQ on your amp.
Sorry I couldn't help more.

moosemoosemoose · #14 10-21-2008, 12:38 PM

Thats alright, as long as it keeps my post near the top, so people hear my plee!

So yeah, my 57 is relatively new. It was one hell of an ebay find, shipped it over from a guy in Texas. I got it for less than half the price you would pay in England! Thank god for the recession!
I tried one out in Germany when I was on tour, the sound was what did it for me. The growl is like not much else I've found. It is definitely 50/60's RnB sounding but can be pretty much any style.
I would say have a listen to the original blues brothers to get an idea, and then theres a few clips on Youtube that I had on repeat before deciding to buy.
Hope that helps

Anyway, I'm still trying to fatten out the sound, I'm thinking maybe 105/110 just to get a big low E sort of thing

moosemoosemoose · #15 10-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Thanks Doug,

So you reckon its an EQ/amp thing. I'll have to keep experimenting.

But still, what about the Halfs or Grounds? Do they do warm more???

dougjwray · #16 10-21-2008, 12:47 PM

I'm slightly confused because you couldn't get much more different than the "original Blues Brothers" sound (Duck Dunn, with flatwound strings on an old P-Bass, played with fingers) and the two samples I just listened to!

As far as halfrounds, groundwounds, etc., it's been a long time since I've tried them, but to me they just sounded like dead roundwounds! But definitely give them a try, yourself. I would recommend D'Addarios, or GHS Brite Flats (which are actually groundwounds, not flats). Good luck!
And, as I said, for the sound on the Costello clip, try hitting with your thumb, for a fatter sound.

Tusknia · #17 10-21-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosemoosemoose

So yeah, my 57 is relatively new. It was one hell of an ebay find, shipped it over from a guy in Texas. I got it for less than half the price you would pay in England! Thank god for the recession!

Weren't you hammered with custom charges?
Oh +1 on the Thomastiks for flats.

moosemoosemoose · #18 10-21-2008, 01:18 PM

Sorry to confuse you there Doug, I was talking about two separate things really!!

Doug - Yeah, I am looking for that growl with a pick that you heard in both my examples. I guess it could just be roundwounds with a bit less zing. Any idea? My current rotosound are a bit too zingy for me.

Tusknia - Yep custom charges are like £100-£120 but if you budget for that its fine. It still worked out at half price!!!

frankie5string · #19 10-22-2008, 11:29 AM

Have you tried TruBass 88 strings? They're monstrous nylon tape wounds... I have them on one of my basses and I play THAT BASS with a pick... they're very dark sounding, but if you boost the highs, your pick attack will sizzle enough to blow a tweeter... ;-)

For Pics I use the small 1.0mm big stubby jazz pick or the Dunlop Jazz III I think...it's a black triangular'ish pick 1.38mm) The best attack comes from the stubby's because they're essentially plastic with very little "give".

dougjwray · #20 10-22-2008, 11:37 AM

It could be something as simple as trying different roundwounds. Rotosounds are about the zingiest you can get! Try some GHS Boomers, or other nickel-over-roundwound strings made by D'Addario, DR, etc.