What is your string of choice when it comes to playing metal? Especially drop tuning playing and the like? Do you have a specific brand you go to?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Best strings for playing metal
- Thread starter SlapPopBass
- Start date
DR High-Beams stainless 50-70-90-110
I play a full step down from E-A-D-G to D-G-C-F and by using a heavy'r gauge string the tension and feel mimics a set of 105's or 100's tuned to 440 almost exactly. no soupy or loose feel at all. Plus the DR's are very supple and are easy on the fingers
BTW, I play classic heavy metal and they work really nice for me
I play a full step down from E-A-D-G to D-G-C-F and by using a heavy'r gauge string the tension and feel mimics a set of 105's or 100's tuned to 440 almost exactly. no soupy or loose feel at all. Plus the DR's are very supple and are easy on the fingers
BTW, I play classic heavy metal and they work really nice for me
There isn't a single string that is good for one style of music or another. What it really comes down to is finding the right gauge to meet your tuning so that your playing comes across the way you want.
For a DGCF or CGCF tuning I have found that D'Addario's new EXL160BT set works really well for me. They fit on my Lakland with only minor adjustments to the saddle height of the bridge.
For a 35" scale bass tuned to BEAD I'm using a 5 string set (.125, .100, .080, .065) without the G string.
Different basses have different string needs and different players are looking for different things. Its taken me years to figure out what strings I like. Its a lot of trial and error. I use www.bassstringsonline.com to buy strings because their prices are good, shipping is fast, and they sell a lot of single strings.
For a DGCF or CGCF tuning I have found that D'Addario's new EXL160BT set works really well for me. They fit on my Lakland with only minor adjustments to the saddle height of the bridge.
For a 35" scale bass tuned to BEAD I'm using a 5 string set (.125, .100, .080, .065) without the G string.
Different basses have different string needs and different players are looking for different things. Its taken me years to figure out what strings I like. Its a lot of trial and error. I use www.bassstringsonline.com to buy strings because their prices are good, shipping is fast, and they sell a lot of single strings.
Well if it's metal you're playing, then most likely you'll be competing with your guitarist(s) bass frequency. That **** can really piss a bass player off! It can practically negate everything you're doing unless it is mixed well. Meaning, tell your guitar players to roll off bass and even mids a bit, and focus on treble a bit more. That will allow the bass to come through the mix much better and then you'll be able to reduce volume fights between all the musicians. If you can get to that point, then it's all about the sound you want and has very little to do with specific strings for the genre. If I were in a metal band (and I have been in a few years back), I would do what I said above and hope that the guitarists understand, and then I'd put light gauge round wound nickels and tune down if I need to. There's really nothing special to do. It's more about your personal sound coming through the mix without being negated by competing frequencies.
