Advice on Strings

[Rsmith375]

I'm getting a full black RBX375 painted neck and all, and need advice on strings. It's my first time buying for a 5 string. I'm thinking of getting DR Black Beauties for style, or flat wounds for the mellow, chill sound. I'm looking for price and lifetime, so nothing over 50$. Give me some brands please!

(Edit)
The store i was going to buy it from sold it yesterday, and ended up getting a high end Ibanez 5 string. (Also, the username is completely unrelated.)

 

[subdude67]

welcome to talkbass!

when i received my 375 a few years back, (my first 5 string too) i left the stock strings on for a couple of months. i thought they were quite allright to start with.

then i strung it with GHS black nylon tapewounds and really love the sound, feel and look.

also, this should go to strings....

 

[raventepes]

Try some DR Red Devil's or Neons or something. Add a bit of contrast

 

[edencab]

Fender 9050 flats sound great and are a dull gray metal

 

[Rsmith375]

Fender 9050 flats sound great and are a dull gray metal

Do you know if they make a 5 string set?

 

[edencab]

Do you know if they make a 5 string set?

uh oh, no they don't, sorry, missed the 5 string requirement part (should read more closely/slowly)
D'Addario Chromes come in 5's, similar dull gray finish

 

[JustForSport]

WebStrings Detroit Flats (S/S) sound great, IMO, with a better B than Chromes. They're very inexpensive, also, letting you try them, and still be able to try something else for that budget.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I'm thinking of getting DR Black Beauties for style, or flat wounds for the mellow, chill sound. I'm looking for price and lifetime, so nothing over 50$. Give me some brands please!

I've used a few different sets of DR Black Beauties. All but one of them still retained a bit o' brightness, despite the coating. Not to say they were harsh or too bright, but were capable of going from mellow to "gritty" depending on your attack. One set was merely "meh"…maybe a bad day at the factory or something. Overall, I give them a solid "thumbs up".

If you don't want a really aggressive sound, avoid Ernie Ball Cobalts. Personally, I love 'em on most of my basses, but I like a more aggressive sound. D'Addario Flex Steels fall into this category too.

It's pushing the limit of your budget, but the one set of Elixir coated strings I bought at my guitar tech's recommendation have served me well. They, too, have the same "mellow-to-gritty" capabilities of the Black Beauties.

Try some DR Red Devil's or Neons or something. Add a bit of contrast

I was going to say, "For even more high-contrast, get the DR Neon Whites", but I see the bass Rsmith wanted has eluded him. Still though, someday I'll probably get a set for my black Aerodyne…because "reasons".