What is a good do it all string? - Page 2

Bassamatic · #21 11-08-2012, 07:17 PM

Yes - I agree that your problem is probably your strings that are deader than zombies.

The BEST all around string IMHO is the D'Addario XL 160 or 165. They are clear, with good full bright tone, and not very expensive. Whenever I get a new bass, the XLs go on it so I can see what the natural tone of the bass is like. They are my reference. There are many other great strings, but I must say that these are right in the center - not exotic, with a good tone.

However, if you want low finger noise, I must recommend the Elixirs. The sound is nearly as full as the XLs, but they are coated and have a great feel with low noise. Yes, they are expensive, but they last a long long time.

Good luck!

cccy · #22 11-08-2012, 07:28 PM

Try Elixir. The coating reduces friction, it might also reduce finger noise. Worth a shot I guess?

I've been using them for ages on all my basses, tried tons of other brands and always go back to them.
As a music student and constant gigger (is that even a word?) I go through a variety of styles on a weekly basis... With a bit of tweaking here and there I can get pretty close to any tone I desire.

They are a tiny bit pricey although I've had mine on for almost a year and they keep getting sweeter and sweeter without dying or losing any pop.

Also: if possible, buy from BassStringsOnline.com - I have yet to experience better customer service and more reasonable prices. make sure you let Jason know you're a TalkBass member.

Lemon Of Troy · #23 11-08-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Blues

Chromes are bright strings,
--Silvie

Not according to their manufacturer.

graver555 · #24 11-08-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drnknmstr

You want a "do it all" string? I'd say D'Addario XLs. They're fairly cheap, nickels and they can be bright enough, but also tame down easy, less string noise than SS, won't eat your frets, and they age really well and gradually. Even fairly dead XLs sound good and versatile, whereas other rounds sound TOO dead.

Compression wounds like GHS Progressives and Ken Smith Compressors can be pretty smooth yet retain some brightness and articulation, but the D'Addarios are so easy to find. Not my all time favorite string, but the construction, intonation, and consistency are top notch. Not as springy as DRs or whatever, but since you need VERSATILITY, that's my pick.

Half round or compression wounds were ones I was looking at. I think next time I scrounge for money for a new set for my Ibanez I was going to try them out. Depends on how the chromes sound and if I put them on my P-bass or not.

graver555 · #25 11-08-2012, 07:58 PM

Well now Im starting to get interested in coated strings. Do they feel slippery?

PlungerModerno · #26 11-09-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemon Of Troy

Not according to their manufacturer.

For a flat - they are bright, and at first produce lots of treble content:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RCZPe1LjpA

then mellow out but keep a lot of upper mid content than makes them pretty unique and forward sounding for flats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS4-tiHkQ2A

They can't cop a round tone, but they allow you to lose finger noise and play more aggressive styles than traditional flats.

MrLenny1 · #27 11-09-2012, 05:47 AM

GHS Boomers, nickel.
Cheap, available at most stores.

cccy · #28 11-09-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graver555

Well now Im starting to get interested in coated strings. Do they feel slippery?

They take some getting used to. It has its pros and cons (like pretty much everything). I'm using the "slippery" factor much to my advantage.. maybe you can do the same. You won't know unless you've spent some time with them.

sigmafloyd · #29 11-09-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

Yes - I agree that your problem is probably your strings that are deader than zombies.

The BEST all around string IMHO is the D'Addario XL 160 or 165.
Good luck!

+1 and it took me a long time to get here. I've been deciding between flats and rounds on my P bass for almost a year now and have tried almost everything. I tried:

Flats: GHS, TIs, Chromes (multiple gauges), Rotosounds, Fender 9050(new)
Rounds: Sunbeams, GHS, Rotosound 66, Boomers, D'Addario XLs
Other: Pressurewounds, D'Ad Tapewounds

I finally decided (this morning) that if I want one string to do it all it has to be a roundwound. GHS precision flats are my favorite flats but I just can't do everything I want to do with them. With rounds I can turn down the tone control and modify my playing style/position to get more thump.

My setup going forward is going to be:

American Standard P Bass: DAD XLs (or Sunbeams)
MIM Jazz Bass: GHS Precision Flats
Squier VM Jazz: TI Jazz Flats

The P is my #1, the jazzes I use mostly for recordings.

graver555 · #30 11-09-2012, 05:47 PM

Well I think Im going to go with the chromes to start as I have always wanted to try a pair of flats. If they dont work out Ill either sell them or put them on my bass I dont use much. Then Im going to try out the Elixars next becuase they are a little out of my price range.

Im likely to either put rotosound or DAD XL's on my Ibanez. I heard the rotosound are very harsh tho so Im nervous I wont be able to get a pretty tone for the ballets in showchoir though. Sounds great for pepband at basketball games.

**mjac28** · #31 11-09-2012, 05:49 PM

Labella Quarter Rounds a very good all around string it has some bite for rock and has a nice low end thump.

StyleOverShow · #32 11-09-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matante

You can try the Rotosound half-rounds which are called Solo Bass. Another option might be coated strings like Cleartone.

The coated strings will be bright enough for your prof and quiet down most of the noise. BTW, WTFraternity is he doing messing with your setting..oh yeah, band class.

graver555 · #33 11-09-2012, 06:14 PM

Well I talked with him again today and I think he miss spoke what he wanted and what kind of tone he actually wants. I guess he thought I had to much of a rock tone? It was super dead slinkys with the amp set mostly flat and the tone knob never turned more then halfway. From talking again I think he will like the chromes.

Thank you for all your suggestons. I believe I will get the chromes to try out. Should I post the results in a few weeks on the thread?

Quote:

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

BTW, WTFraternity is he doing messing with your setting..oh yeah, band class.

My thoughts to.

Well more acurratly in my head "excuse me, I didnt realize you wanted to be slapped or have a finger broken or two"

tylerwylie · #34 11-09-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graver555

Well I talked with him again today and I think he miss spoke what he wanted and what kind of tone he actually wants. I guess he thought I had to much of a rock tone? It was super dead slinkys with the amp set mostly flat and the tone knob never turned more then halfway. From talking again I think he will like the chromes.

Thank you for all your suggestons. I believe I will get the chromes to try out. Should I post the results in a few weeks on the thread?

My thoughts to.

Well more acurratly in my head "excuse me, I didnt realize you wanted to be slapped or have a finger broken or two"

I'd recommend some coated strings, honestly.

graver555 · #35 11-09-2012, 06:37 PM

Well as much as I wanted to try chromes you guys have pretty well convinced me to get coated. Do you think Elixars or Dragon Skins? Id rather have slick then sticky. I cant stand a string that feel sticky. Even round wounds dont feel right until they have enough dirt to make them not grip my fingers.

Lemon Of Troy · #36 11-09-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graver555

Well as much as I wanted to try chromes you guys have pretty well convinced me to get coated. Do you think Elixars or Dragon Skins? Id rather have slick then sticky. I cant stand a string that feel sticky. Even round wounds dont feel right until they have enough dirt to make them not grip my fingers.

Elixirs are more slippery than Dragon Skins. Dragon Skins have a brighter snappier sound though. Elixirs are coated with a teflon like substance, so they feel like that.

Ezmar · #37 11-10-2012, 11:04 AM

In terms of a Do-it-all string, I would personally try out Hi Beams. The jazz band I play guitar in has a bass player with Hi Beams that sound really dead and smooth, especially when the tone is rolled off. I'm not saying that they'd necessarily be the best for your purposes, but until he told me they were Hi Beams, I would have sworn they were nickels.

Food for thought. I'm still using Rotos, because I just like the way they sound at every point in their life.

Bassamatic · #38 11-10-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graver555

Well I think Im going to go with the chromes to start as I have always wanted to try a pair of flats. If they dont work out Ill either sell them or put them on my bass I dont use much. Then Im going to try out the Elixars next becuase they are a little out of my price range.

Im likely to either put rotosound or DAD XL's on my Ibanez. I heard the rotosound are very harsh tho so Im nervous I wont be able to get a pretty tone for the ballets in showchoir though. Sounds great for pepband at basketball games.

FYI - I just scored a nice set of Elixirs here on the classifieds for less than half price - keep your eyes on the Accessories section for bargains.

I didn't like the Chromes, BTW. They just didn't have the roundness of tone that I get from the TIs and LaBella flats, and I feel that you are not going to get the brightness you are looking for from any flats. At the risk of being repititious, XLs are the do-it-all string you are looking for.

Joe Smithberger · #39 11-10-2012, 03:36 PM

or EXP's if you are looking for a barely-there coated string.

graver555 · #40 11-10-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

or EXP's if you are looking for a barely-there coated string.

Are they similar to the XL's? because Im likeing them based off of the videos Ive seen. Altho I have to watch them in Internet Explorer because Google Chrome wont let me watch videos for some reason.