Which would fit better in our mix?

jarrhead · #1 07-25-2010, 09:11 AM

It's time for new strings, and i'm a young kid with a birthday coming up real soon.

So which of these options would generally sound better in our mix? It's a mix of White Chapel/Meshuggah, so if you can't stand that music just bow out now.

We play in Drop A, and I use a five string, so it's just like Drop D except dropping the B. AEADG

Nickel Half-Rounds

Nickel Rounds

GHS Boomers

And here is the music -- the bass doesn't play a big role, I just make the music a lot more heavy. Means much more live than on an album.

http://www.myspace.com/thevalkyrietreaty

jarrhead · #2 07-26-2010, 09:31 AM

PyroBilly · #3 07-26-2010, 09:39 AM

this is just my .02 but I play in a sludge metal band with the same tuning and in my experience Ernie Ball slinkies will do the job. I use EB Slinky .130 - .45 gauge

I haven't had any problems with these

jarrhead · #4 07-26-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PyroBilly

this is just my .02 but I play in a sludge metal band with the same tuning and in my experience Ernie Ball slinkies will do the job. I use EB Slinky .130 - .45 gauge

I haven't had any problems with these

I want gauge .50-.130, as .55 is too much for Drop A and .45 is too little for the times I tune G#C#F#BE (C# Standard)

What makes them better than Boomers or Nickels or maybe even ProSteels?

jarrhead · #5 07-27-2010, 09:18 AM

bump.

I know everybody's going to suggest different strings. Anybody care to say why they would fit better than another pair, or if they're the same why I would prefer one over the other?

There's the sound of the string you just can't EQ out really.

Double Agent · #6 07-27-2010, 03:01 PM

Spectors go really....and I mean REALLY...nicely with DR Lo-Riders. Since you play an aggressive style of music, I would try the stainless version (there is also a nickel version). They are much smoother feeling than other stainless strings, they have great tension for aggressive playing, even downtuned, and they seem to have a nice low mid bump which gives lots of growl. I recorded a prog metal/metalcore album on a Spector 5er with the whole bass tuned down 1/2 step (Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb) and it sounded great. I used the .045-.130 set. I think you would be really happy with them.

jarrhead · #7 07-27-2010, 03:21 PM

D'Addario Nickels are slightly cheaper, and I know what they sound like so I can strap them on just before a gig with trust. What makes the DR's any different?

I'm asking too many questions.

Double Agent · #8 07-27-2010, 09:30 PM

They are just better!!!!

OK...I suppose you want more details than that. I used the D'addario XLs for a long time and they are very nice sounding strings. I found their lifespan to be average, not exceptionally short-lived, but not very long-lived either. Some nickels sound great when they are dead (Fender 7250s, for example), but I never cared for the sound of XLs when they "died". They sounded, well, dead. If money was tight and I needed a set I could count on right away, I would not hesitate to get the XLs.

However, the DR Lo-Riders have a bit more of a push in the low mids than the XLs. They have a lot more punch. On the SS version, this punch is very aggressive and in your face. With the nickels, the punch is more deep and smooth. The SS are zingier...for slap, tap, and aggressive fingerstyle playing, they are amazing. The nickels are bright enough to get a good slap tone, but they have a big, fat, round tone that just sits underneath everything so perfectly in the mix. However, both the nickels and SS versions are responsive to how you play, soften your touch and your tone gets smoother. But, dig in, and they get a little grindy sounding, especially on the SS. But, their lifespan is incredible. My last set of nickel Lo-Riders is still on the Peavey Cirrus that I sold a couple weeks ago...I installed them in December '09. They hadn't lost any of their grindiness...I kept thinking "Oh, I need to change the strings on that bass", but then I would plug it in and play it and it was like, "OK, I guess I don't". The broken tone of both sets of strings is great and they keep that tone for a long, long time. I usually got 3-4 months out of a set of SS Lo-Riders and I got 6-7 months on each of the two sets of nickel Lo-Riders I've used. I usually got 4-6 WEEKS out of the D'addario XLs before they sounded dead to me.

So, to sum up, out of the package tone is REALLY bright, but the broken in tone still has plenty of high-end snap with tons of punch, and they keep that tone for months on end. They are about $15 more than a set of XLs, right? Give 'em a shot. If you don't like them, go back to XLs and you've only lost $15. But, if you like them as much as I do, it will be worth a lot more than an extra $15 to you.

jpTron · #9 07-28-2010, 08:18 AM

Roto's are bright and will prob help you cut. Stay away from Ernie Ball. Worst strings ever

jarrhead · #10 07-28-2010, 10:24 AM

Yeah I hate Ernie Balls. Thanks Double Agent, i'll probably pick up a set of DRs.

knuckle_head · #11 07-28-2010, 11:22 AM

You want something way heavier than .130 on bottom. I'd suggest concerning yourself more with the gauges you can get so the set works rather than 'flavors'.

Try finding a set that resembles;

.150 .100 .076 .055 .040

FWIW, Dick (of Meshuggah) uses DRs. He has used my strings as well, and actually owns (or did) one of my basses.

BigOldHarry · #12 07-28-2010, 11:28 AM

it seems to me that you'd want stainless strings to keep you tension high enough to support a "B" string playing an "A"... Nickle might get... floppy, ya know?

jarrhead · #13 07-28-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

it seems to me that you'd want stainless strings to keep you tension high enough to support a "B" string playing an "A"... Nickle might get... floppy, ya know?

I have nickels on my bass right now and played G# C# F# B E for the life of them. Of course they are considerably thicker. .60-.145

jarrhead · #14 07-28-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

You want something way heavier than .130 on bottom. I'd suggest concerning yourself more with the gauges you can get so the set works rather than 'flavors'.

Try finding a set that resembles;

.150 .100 .076 .055 .040

FWIW, Dick (of Meshuggah) uses DRs. He has used my strings as well, and actually owns (or did) one of my basses.

Meshuggah is probably the closest band we are instrumentally. What strings are they?

And noooo.. .145 was too thick it caused problems. Had to file my bridge, 35" is not enough to intonate, and sounds dead fresh cause it's just soo big.

.40 to .150? Are you crazy? I'm not playing F EADG!

knuckle_head · #15 07-28-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrhead

Meshuggah is probably the closest band we are instrumentally. What strings are they?

And noooo.. .145 was too thick it caused problems. Had to file my bridge, 35" is not enough to intonate, and sounds dead fresh cause it's just soo big.

.40 to .150? Are you crazy? I'm not playing F EADG!

Yes I'm crazy - and yes a .150 is the right gauge for A. I make basses and I make strings. Trust me - I got this one.

Dick (of Meshuggah) has an endorsement deal with DR - I know that's what he puts on his Warwicks.

You had to file your bridge? That doesn't sound right.... nut filing would be called for to be sure. Why was filing your bridge called for? Do you string through your body?

Not all thick strings are made the same - or even well. Mine are. I make strings that get you a full octave below standard tunings (E or B) and I do it - arguably - better than anyone. Really.

knuckle_head · #16 07-28-2010, 12:19 PM

Read through this thread - it may be helpful.

So, I want to tune my Thunderbird a full octave below standard...

jarrhead · #17 07-28-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Yes I'm crazy - and yes a .150 is the right gauge for A. I make basses and I make strings. Trust me - I got this one.

Dick (of Meshuggah) has an endorsement deal with DR - I know that's what he puts on his Warwicks.

You had to file your bridge? That doesn't sound right.... nut filing would be called for to be sure. Why was filing your bridge called for? Do you string through your body?

Not all thick strings are made the same - or even well. Mine are. I make strings that get you a full octave below standard tunings (E or B) and I do it - arguably - better than anyone. Really.

Had to file it because the string just past the ball end would not squeeze through. If it rested on top it screwed my action. No, I string through an open bridge.

I'll try a set of DRs.

darkstorm · #18 07-28-2010, 12:35 PM

The bass and how you eq will have more effect on how well it fits in the mix. Strings sound change is relatively minor compared to that overall. Only real way to determine sounds good in the mix is by playing in the mix and tweaking your soFrom the point it sounds best in the mix is then the time to determine if diff strings would help the final tweak. If you need a little more crunch at that point Ernie Ball would prob work well. GHS is sounds fine but could use little more focus. Other choices like daddario if needing little smoother sound.

jarrhead · #19 07-28-2010, 12:37 PM

I'm definitely enjoying the sound of aggressive fingers on the EMGs with Nickels. I'll try a set of DRs for the next two months while we practice and get gig-ready. Then if they're good i'll keep em, if not i'll just pick up my trusty D'Addarios

knuckle_head · #20 07-28-2010, 12:38 PM

The biggest DR makes is a .135 - in their DDT sets - and as you are at 35" scale length you ought to be safe. These strings have been known to have their cores snap at the tuning peg.

A .135 is not thick enough for A.

Good luck - and please follow up. I'd like to hear how this goes for you.