Bass strings

[Kevin Pressnell]

Hi
Can anyone recommend some bass strings for a nice low action for a Ibanez SR1800
With out to much buzz

Regards kev

 

[Gorn]

Low action without too much buzz is acheived through technique, not any particular strings.

 

[bholder]

Low action without too much buzz is acheived through technique, not any particular strings.

Well, more or less true, but heavier gauges tend to buzz and rattle less than lighter due to higher tension (at the same pitch). FWIW. YMMV.

 

[Kevin Pressnell]

Hey Gorn
Thanx for your reply I'll try change my technique

 

[Gorn]

Well, more or less true, but heavier gauges tend to buzz and rattle less than lighter due to higher tension (at the same pitch). FWIW. YMMV.

Hey Gorn
Thanx for your reply I'll try change my technique

I didn't mean to come off as snarky. @bholder is right too. I play TI jazz rounds (some of the floppiest strings there are) with ludicrously low action. None of my bass playing friends can play my bass but I can because I adjusted my technique. It took some time but it worked. Now any "normal" bass strings feel like suspension bridge cables to me.

 

[tfer]

Well, more or less true, but heavier gauges tend to buzz and rattle less than lighter due to higher tension (at the same pitch). FWIW. YMMV.

The better solution in my mind is a great setup.

Especially fret levelling. All it takes is a single fret, a fraction of an inch higher than the others, and all hell will break loose.

 

[Kevin Pressnell]

Hey beholder
I'm using 45-105 at the moment ,I'll also try a heavier gauge string
Can you recommend a make of strings

Thanx kev

 

[bholder]

Hey beholder
I'm using 45-105 at the moment ,I'll also try a heavier gauge string
Can you recommend a make of strings

Thanx kev

Strings are really a personal taste and preference kind of thing. I like DR Hi Beams and DDTs, but then, I kinda like the "bridge cables" thing that Gorn doesn't (the low B on my Sire fretted 5er is a .145 DR DDT! ) hehe

 

[Kevin Pressnell]

That makes sense tfer thanx for your input maybe a complete setup would be the way forward

 

[bholder]

I didn't mean to come off as snarky. @bholder is right too. I play TI jazz rounds (some of the floppiest strings there are) with ludicrously low action. None of my bass playing friends can play my bass but I can because I adjusted my technique. It took some time but it worked. Now any "normal" bass strings feel like suspension bridge cables to me.

FWIW, Gary Willis (consummate pro, heckuva bassist) suggests this approach. I have trouble trying to use a "light" touch, personally, though I should probably learn before I get much older.

 

[bholder]

That makes sense tfer thanx for your input maybe a complete setup would be the way forward

Yup, and it's not hard to learn to do for yourself - paying someone else to do your setup is like asking someone else to eat your lunch for you (in my humble opinion!) Everything you need to know can be found here: ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

 

[tfer]

That makes sense tfer thanx for your input maybe a complete setup would be the way forward

With the strings at tension, and at the lowest possible action, lay a ruler along the tops of your frets, between the strings.

You’ll be shocked at how badly most basses are set up. There’ll be gaps between all except the two highest frets. As soon as you fret a note behind a higher one, it’ll bottom out. And the gaps won’t be even either.

Until you get that solved, you’ll never maximize your action.

 

[Kevin Pressnell]

Yes that's makes sense ill check it out thanx tfer

 

[saltydude]

Try a set of Ernie Ball regular slinky’s
50,70,85,105.

I’ve found their a nice compromise in higher tension and no fitting issues.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Why is this in Bassists??

 

[mellowinman]

Never do anything with strings without consulting the people in my sig.

 

[JRA]

i hope your instrument is setup well (the way you like/need it). IMO: a proper setup will factor in a particular string choice. or, in reverse: choose a string and then check/modify your setup to 'optimize' your string choice.

 

[Bijoux]

I use Elixirs medium gauge and they seem stiffer than other strings of same gauge. I could set my action ridiculously low with this strings

 

[xnewyorka]

Hi
Can anyone recommend some bass strings for a nice low action for a Ibanez SR1800
With out to much buzz

Regards kev

Kev,
Before worrying about strings, the first thing is to make sure the bass is set up properly, by someone who knows what they are doing.
You should start by watching and learning from this series of six videos:
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First, you should make sure you can set the bass up properly (or get it set up properly) using the strings you currently have.
Then, if you want to change strings, you will only need to repeat the steps of setting the relief (the truss rod adjustment) and the intonation. The saddle heights should remain about the same regardless of strings, although if you are making a drastic change in gauges, you might need a slight adjustment there too.

If your current strings are dead or you already know you hate them, then I suppose you can change the strings first and then go through the setup process, so that you don't have to repeat any of it.

Then, as others have said, once it's set up well, your playing technique will dictate how low you can get the action without buzzing. You can tweak the saddle heights, a little higher for a heavy touch, and a little lower for a light touch. You'll want to do a final check of the intonation after changing saddle heights if you have a good ear, or if you are recording, or if you play much above the 10th fret or so.

 

[The Rage]

Find someone who can setup your bass with PLEK. Then some high tension strings.
For me it worked like a charm