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Looking for recommendations for versatile strings

Persona87

Persona87

Dec 4, 2012
918
596
DFW, Texas
#1
I just got a Carvin 5 string P bass a few weeks ago and I'm still working to figure out what kind of strings to put on it. I've tried EB Slinkies, Daddario Chromes, and TI Jazz flats, but none of them really fit it 100% for my tastes.

The problem is that I like jamming lots of different styles. I mainly play jazz and hip hop, but I also dig ska, funk, and rock. I'd like to get something that can get aggressive tones like something from Mighty Mighty Bosstones or even Geezer Butler from early Sabbath to round tones like Rocco Prestia to dubby, synthy sounds like Gorillaz or real instrument hip hop like the Roots. I'm getting an upright to use for my main jazz instrument but I'd like to be able to pull off some jazz tones as well in case I don't have room for the upright or can only bring one instrument.

The EB strings were the closest to what I'm looking for, but I couldn't get the deep tone I was looking for for hip hop, even with the active system engaged.

Is there something you can recommend that comes in a five string set that sounds like EB strings, but a little less aggressive? Hopefully some that are versatile enough for lots of different genres?
 
#2
I don't have a five string, but I play a similar variety of stuff, well, maybe not much hip hop - if you like Slinkys you might try DR Sunbeams. They can get really nice deep fundamental on my MIM Jazz bass, but can be aggressive too - they're pretty responsive to how you use your fingers, if that makes any sense.
 
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#3
If it were me, I'd use either our GHS Pressurewound or Big Core Bass sets. I've used both on different basses in varying styles and they work very well. The Pressurewounds are a rollerwound string, meaning the cover wrap is slightly flattened, giving you a slightly broken-in sound right off the bat. The Big Core Bass has more girth and punch in the low end, but still sounds very good all around.
 
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#4
Jon Moody said:
If it were me, I'd use either our GHS Pressurewound or Big Core Bass sets. I've used both on different basses in varying styles and they work very well. The Pressurewounds are a rollerwound string, meaning the cover wrap is slightly flattened, giving you a slightly broken-in sound right off the bat. The Big Core Bass has more girth and punch in the low end, but still sounds very good all around.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Pressurewounds

or you could look into Brite Flats. They're even more subdued, but does as much as normal flats (they're actually groundwound). They can be thumpy or aggressive depending on how you EQ and play.
 
#5
Jon Moody said:
If it were me, I'd use either our GHS Pressurewound or Big Core Bass sets. I've used both on different basses in varying styles and they work very well. The Pressurewounds are a rollerwound string, meaning the cover wrap is slightly flattened, giving you a slightly broken-in sound right off the bat. The Big Core Bass has more girth and punch in the low end, but still sounds very good all around.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest the GHS Pressurewounds. To be completely honest, I've never tried them. But I've heard nothing but good things about them. In addition, both the Big Core & Pressurewound sets are wound with alloy 52 which is a great alloy for strings.
 
#7
I was thinking about the Marcus Miller Fat Beams from DR or the Pressure wounds from GHS. I've had bad experiences with ground wound strings, I found them to be way rougher than even stainless steel strings and it was too hard to play on for no real benefit to tone. I think those were Daddarios, but I don't remember for sure. How do the Brute Flats feel? Do they feel like flats?
 
#8
I am a Dunlop Super Bright convert. Get an account at Bass Strings Online and try a set. They offer Nickels or SS in different set/size configs. I'm really digging these strings right now and I've played on both the Nickels and SS but I am mainly a SS guy.
 
#9
Persona87 said:
I was thinking about the Marcus Miller Fat Beams from DR or the Pressure wounds from GHS. I've had bad experiences with ground wound strings, I found them to be way rougher than even stainless steel strings and it was too hard to play on for no real benefit to tone. I think those were Daddarios, but I don't remember for sure. How do the Brute Flats feel? Do they feel like flats?
Click to expand...

Brite Flats are groundwounds, so they will initially feel a bit sticky (due to the grinding process) but I found that they smooth out and "slicken" up fairly quickly. You can always speed the process though if you want to; someone had a YouTube video of someone lightly sanding a set of flats and cleaning them with alcohol prior to putting them on a bass.
 
#10
I think my strings are versatile. but many people here think they're not. So maybe I'm wrong, or crazy :D

imperialguitar_2264_74817350.jpg
 
#19
Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Pressurewounds are very versatile strings. My favorites. They're like semi-roundwounds. They can thump and zing. Easy on the fingers, but the tension is a bit higher than equal guage roundwounds.
 

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