What Strings do you use on your Sixer?

[ODDBALL]

Hello All,

I have purchased a Ibanez SR506 recently and I strung it with GHS Boomers. My question is what strings do you use on your Six String Bass and Why?

Thanks
Shaun

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by ODDBALL

Hello All,

I have purchased a Ibanez SR506 recently and I strung it with GHS Boomers. My question is what strings do you use on your Six String Bass and Why?

Thanks
Shaun

GHS Boomers are a good place to start! GHS strings are my "standard" string by which all others are measured. As the saying goes they are never the best, but always good enough!

Hence my sixers are strung with a variety of strings. They go from rounds which are D'addario XLs on the Modulus (or Boomers if I can't find XLs) down to GHS pressure wounds on the Ken Smith (not bright as rounds, but more important cut way back on the zip-zip finger noise) to GHS flats on my SX jazz clone 6er. (old-school but definitely not your granddad's flats!). I use GHS ground wounds (brite flats) on the Alembic fretless (or D'Addario "half rounds" which are the same thing).
The ground wounds on fretless are bright but put an end to neck chews from the strings.

So the question is do you want to go more bright or less bright from where you are with the boomers? That starts to answer your question.

[DUC1098]

I have DR Sunbeams on my 6 string, on my 4 string also BTW. I find them easier to play than the GHS and being that I am still a beginner, easier to play is a big bonus. Less fret buzz and seem to hold tune better.

I am using them on the same 6 string as you, Ibanez SR506.

[ODDBALL]

I wanted to here what other six string players used and why they use them.

On a side note I would like to try some strings that were less "clanky" sounding. Any thoughts?

Shaun

[colcifer]

I use TI flats. Flats because I play an unfinished fretless; TI because they were the only six string set of flats MF had.

[tylerwylie]

If I wanted to drop tune my 6 string to something resembling Drop C, what gauge would you guys use on the A string? Assuming tuning is something like ACGCFA#.

On a 34" scale bass, I'd think the low B tuned down to A would get quite sloppy, would moving to 135 gauge help? 140 even?

[anarkink]

xl's for me

[FunkMetalBass]

Fodera Heavies are currently on both of my 6ers, but after putting Circle K's on my 8-string, I'll be switching all of my 6-strings over to Circle K's.

[ODDBALL]

I have never heard of Circle K's before. If you had to compare them to another brand which would it be?

Thanks
Shaun

[saxnbass]

I use a standard 4 set Rotosound Steels and get a separate C and F. Yeah, I tune EADGCF with an alternate EADGBe. I don't use a Low B string, D is the lowest I go, and I have a HipShot for that

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by ODDBALL

I have never heard of Circle K's before. If you had to compare them to another brand which would it be?

Thanks
Shaun

I've heard that they compare to Warwick EMPs. I personally have never tried them, but I can say that they seem to be more tonally even than my Foderas, bright (but not like the typical steels), but not with an overly accentuated high end. They also seem to last a LONG time. A few other guys on these boards can probably give you better "similar to..." comparisons.

[Low_blow]

I use DR Lo-Riders on my Yamaha TRBJP - love the tone.

[WJGreer]

Pete Skjold sells a line of custom Nickel Hybrid strings. After using Carvin Nickels for a few years (which are equal to LaBella Slappers), I've moved to Pete's strings now. They offer a little less tension, whcih I prefer, and a better string to string balance. Also unsilked.

[One Bad Monkey]

I used Circle K Balanced 136 on my sixers for a good while. I had Warwick EMPs on my fretless, and they were similar to the CKs although less "vibrant."

Given that I've only really used those on a six, I'm trying out other things right now to better compare. Currently, I'm using a set of GHS Super Steel Contact Cores which comparatively, are a little more mellow than the CKs but still retain that clarity which I've been a stickler about.

[Dimitar]

thomastik infeld superalloy, maybe the best string I've ever played.