What strings do you use on your MTD USA?

Tony G · #1 02-27-2007, 09:36 AM

I've tried three sets of strings now on my MTD 635-24, and while each have their own nice qualities, none of them really stand out to me saying "this is the set of this bass!"...

The sets I've tried would be the MTD strings (materials?) that come on the bass, TI Jazz Rounds (nickel), and Skjold Custom strings (stainless steel string with the final wrap being nickel). While I found the MTD strings to have a decent sound and feel, I thought that the low b had an almost hollow quality to it. The TI Jazz rounds are wonderfully slick and effortless to play, but I find that the tone of the stings with the wood combos of my bass is too subdued to my liking. The Skjold strings seem to be the best of the three sets for me, with a nice overall balance, feel, and tone. However, I can't help think that due to the mellow tone woods on my bass (spalt/burl maple top, mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard) that I would really like to try an all stainless steel set.

My first choice for stainless steel would be DR Hi-Beams. However, somebody here said it best once that MTDs make you clean up your techinique and make you play better. I've found that even with the nickle strings I've tried on this bass so far, I've noticed that I do need a bit of help cleaing up my technique to get rid of the fret noise I'm noticing.

Due to this, my thoughts are to try stainless steel DR Lo-Riders. They are wound on a hex core and have stiffer feel than the lower tension Hi-Beams. I usually keep my action at medium low, and prefer low tension strings for effortless playing, but I think it is time for a change.

So, my questions are as follows. Do any of you notice this same problem when first moving to a MTD USA bass? What strings do you like most on your bass? Do you think that a higher tenion string such as the Lo-Riders will help eliminate the occasional clanking fret noise I encounter?

pickles · #2 02-27-2007, 11:32 AM

I liked fat beams best when I had a 535. Very crisp and snappy. Felt the same way as you do about the tone of the MTD strings, and they were very coarse feeling. Hi beams are great too.

As for fret noise/technique ... just keep at it. I wouldn't swap strings to try to control that -- just keep after your hands and it'll fall into place.

Tony G · #3 02-27-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

As for fret noise/technique ... just keep at it. I wouldn't swap strings to try to control that -- just keep after your hands and it'll fall into place.

This bass definitely showed me some flaws in my technique, but mostly I am just looking for a string that gives me a nice balance of tone and feel without too much fret noise. I have definitely been working on my technique on a daily basis lately, having the Skjold Strings on the bass. My technique problem seems to lie where I try to dig in a bit. I like my action medium/low, and haven't really noticed that much fretnoise on my other basses before. Oh well, I'm sure I'll come around.

Tony G · #4 02-27-2007, 02:32 PM

Anybody else care to comment?

pickles · #5 02-28-2007, 08:46 AM

You might dig sunbeams. I tried quite a few strings on mine and the round core DRs did me right. But I like my action low and easy.

Actually since you like medium action, you could try going with a stiffer string like a Sadowsky, which would also greatly improve the low B. LaBella Hard Rockin Steel is another killer low-B set with a nice thick sound.

Tony G · #6 02-28-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

You might dig sunbeams. I tried quite a few strings on mine and the round core DRs did me right. But I like my action low and easy.

Actually since you like medium action, you could try going with a stiffer string like a Sadowsky, which would also greatly improve the low B. LaBella Hard Rockin Steel is another killer low-B set with a nice thick sound.

Thanks, but Sunbeams are all nickel aren't they? I'd really like to try some SS strings. I would say that my action is more around the medium/low side, and I usually prefer a nice low tension string for ease of playing. However, I think I might need something with a stiffer feel to see if that helps me control my technique a bit better.

Also, I wasn't aware that I could get Sadowsky strings in 6 string packs. Is this possible?

Modern Growl · #7 02-28-2007, 10:34 AM

Ever try Rotosound Swing 66's?
I can't imagine them not sounding good on any bass!

Tony G · #8 02-28-2007, 10:42 AM

I haven't used Rotosound strings in a long time. I've always found them to die to quickly. Perhaps it is time to look into them again....

Modern Growl · #9 02-28-2007, 10:47 AM

Give em' a try man! I bet you'll love the tone!

My favorate strings are Hi-Beams and Roto's. I currently have bulk stock of both.

Edit: they both last the same for me.

Tony G · #10 02-28-2007, 10:50 AM

Can you get the Roto's in 6 string packs?

Modern Growl · #11 02-28-2007, 10:59 AM

juststrings.com can do just about anything

Tony G · #12 02-28-2007, 11:45 AM

The price is right for those Rotosound Strings. Maybe I will place an order. Can anybody else recommend any strings? I am particularly interested in those that own MTD USA basses.

black.rose1402 · #13 02-28-2007, 11:49 AM

give a shot to elixir nanowebs they last a long time and you can have a great tone for slap and finger style
some like'em some don't so...

pickles · #14 02-28-2007, 11:52 AM

I tried some rotos on the 535. Very similar to hi beams in tone but a little rougher on the fingers.

pickles · #15 02-28-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

Also, I wasn't aware that I could get Sadowsky strings in 6 string packs. Is this possible?

Oops, forgot this was a 635 not a 535.

pickles · #16 02-28-2007, 11:56 AM

Other possibilies: Labella Super Steps or Dean Markley SR2000. Both on the superbright tip, with ringing highs tons of impact.

Tony G · #17 02-28-2007, 12:13 PM

Both of those sets of strings are on my list to try out. I had the super steps on my Skjold Custom 5 just before I got rid of it, and I remember liking the finger style tone very much. Also, the SR2000 strings have always intrigued me. I just haven't got around to trying them yet.

Modern Growl · #18 02-28-2007, 01:02 PM

Really, your basically going to have to buckle down and spend the cash.
No one is going to be able to tell you, like you can tell yourself how you will like strings. How they interact w/ your fingers, your gear, your ear, tension... ect... there's so many factors.
I'm sure you know this already, but honestly, threads like these are ALMOST useless.

You can get a general feel/direction, but it really comes down to you spending the coin and playing the strings yourself.

Tony G · #19 02-28-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modern Growl

Really, your basically going to have to buckle down and spend the cash.
No one is going to be able to tell you, like you can tell yourself how you will like strings. How they interact w/ your fingers, your gear, your ear, tension... ect... there's so many factors.
I'm sure you know this already, but honestly, threads like these are ALMOST useless.

You can get a general feel/direction, but it really comes down to you spending the coin and playing the strings yourself.

Trust me, I agree with everything you've said. I was really just sticking my feelers out there looking to see what other MTD USA owners used. Thanks though.

Modern Growl · #20 02-28-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

Trust me, I agree with everything you've said. I was really just sticking my feelers out there looking to see what other MTD USA owners used. Thanks though.

I still recommend Roto's though