Best strings for rockabilly slap, but versatile for other styles

[Chris Paget]

I play in a country-rock band that sometimes spices it up with rockabilly. Overall, I just really like the "click" of rockabilly slap-bass, but would like to retain the punch of the strings too for other styles.

I currently am playing with the Eurosonic Lights w/ that thinking in mind (also b/c gollihurmusic recommends these if you're playing only rockabilly), but am now thinking I could get away with the Ultra Lights or something like the Goldenslaps.

Can anyone recommend the best strings to get that light string click/slap response but that would also work with other styles? How far into the ultralight territory can I go?

[Bass]

You might like Innovations strings, they're pretty "versatile". I use the Innnovation Rockabillies, but alot of people seem to like the Silver Slaps.

[Derek M]

silverslaps are cool, and are the same thing as goldenslaps. i currently use the goldenslaps, but am trying a set of wackers for the D and G. you can go pretty far into the ultralight territory if you want, but i don't think you will need to, unless your band plays fast. you might want to look at some wound guts for a good sounding E and A with a nice rockabilly click.

[hofner]

try the silverslaps (innovation). they sound very nice both in rockabilly and old school jazz.

[Chris Paget]

Right on guys. Such a science to these things.. Thanks for the word on the silver slaps!

[Chris Paget]

One more thing.. Are there any big differences between the Innovation Rockabilly strings and Silver Slaps (aside from the former being the first in their line of "slap" strings)?

[Jake deVilliers]

The Silver Slaps are round nylon wound and have a warmer tone than the flat plastic wound Rockabillies. The Rockabilly wrap also can make a 'papery' sound on the fingerboard - you may or may not find it distracting.

[PaulKing]

Yes, both in tone and in click, the "SilverSlaps", "GoldenSlaps" and newer "PsychoSlaps" give a warmer, softer, more organic sound than the "Rockabillies". Also lower tension than "Rockabillies".

"Rockabillies" give a brighter, more plasticky sound, better suited to harder rockabilly / psychobilly, or straight jazz pizz.

[PaulKing]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

The Silver Slaps are round nylon wound .

Yes, but don't let that worry you... indeed they call it 'half-round wound'. It's a very fine round nylon filament, which I believe they flatten off a bit to make a less coarse surface.

It's not like playing steel round wound strings, much closer to playing flat wound, just with a slight, soft texture to the touch.

And no threat to your fingerboard...

[farmerdude]

Gut is the only true do-it-all string IMOP. Arco/slap/pizz

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by farmerdude

Gut is the only true do-it-all string IMOP. Arco/slap/pizz

Word up.