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Best strings for Stingray Fingerstyle

Joe Kyle

Joe Kyle

Oct 18, 2008
619
176
Connecticut
#1
Hey, im picking up a stingray this weekend, and i play mostly finger style with a little bit of slap/thump here and there. I know that these basses are an agressive type, but id like to help keep some of the growliness under control.

I was thinking of DR, either Lowriders or fatbeams.

Then should they be either nickel or SS?

I'm new to the whole stingray thing, but id like to tame the beast.


Kyle
 
#3
There's nothing inherent in a StingRay that dictates any different string choice than any other bass. The only factor could be that some people find balancing the strings' volumes can be difficult so different brands and/or gauges might come in to play there.

One of the two pre EB StingRays I owned (the '78) had some real propblems with the G string balance, which I solved with Ken Smith Rock Masters. Most sets with a 45/65/85/105 worked, but the 80 A string didn't balance so well. But the other one (a '79) didn't have that problem.

jte
 
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#4
I love Elixir Polywebs on my Stingray. Dunno if the polys are still available though. Didn't think the Nanowebs were anything special on my Stingray though.

DR's always sound good too though. All my passive basses have DR's on them.
 
#5
=weezer= said:
Hey, im picking up a stingray this weekend, and i play mostly finger style with a little bit of slap/thump here and there. I know that these basses are an agressive type, but id like to help keep some of the growliness under control.

I was thinking of DR, either Lowriders or fatbeams.

Then should they be either nickel or SS?

I'm new to the whole stingray thing, but id like to tame the beast.


Kyle
Click to expand...

Fat Beams and Hi beams are very similar but Fat Beams might have a little more mid content so they will probably cut through a mix a little bit better. I've used both and could easily use either or honestly. DR's are great!

Fat Beams and Hi Beams are only available in stainless, the nickel version is SunBeams which are pretty good too. nickel low riders are not as stiff as the stainless steel and they easier on the fingers.
 
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#6
If you think the stringray is too bright, try elixers or Nickel strings. If you think it could use some more "piano like" tone try some Ernie ball strings.

Now, don;t decide which strings you like within the first 2 hours of playing them. The EB slinkies take about 2 days (3-4 hours of playing) to start to sound good IMO.

best of luck. I say try them all. Record a song with them new, middle of the road adn old. Then try another set and record them. Then play the recordings over and over until you are satisfied.
 
#7
Granted I do not have a Stingray, but I do have a Bongo. In my experience (and Chad Beeler's of Bass NW) the only strings that seem to sound great with EBMM's are Ernie Ball strings (go figure). I am a DR fan myself for all my other basses, but the Bongo only seems to like Ernie Balls, and yes, I tried nearly every other brand on it. Again, this is just my personal experience, along with a few others. Obviously, go with what sounds and feels good to you.
 
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#12
JonathanD said:
If you think the stringray is too bright, try elixers or Nickel strings. If you think it could use some more "piano like" tone try some Ernie ball strings.

Now, don;t decide which strings you like within the first 2 hours of playing them. The EB slinkies take about 2 days (3-4 hours of playing) to start to sound good IMO.

best of luck. I say try them all. Record a song with them new, middle of the road adn old. Then try another set and record them. Then play the recordings over and over until you are satisfied.
Click to expand...

I played Ernie Ball reg slinkies for a long time, and might go back to them. I currently use low riders. I will agree with the above post that both sets sound best to me after a few days of playing. I am trying a nickel set next, I too am trying to tone down the zing and add a little more thump.
 
#14
Hey all, thanks for the input.

The local GC was out of Sunbeams, so i picked up some fatbeams.

PERFECT!!!!

It cut the zing of the bass to the point where it sounds thumpy with the treble at close to flat, and i can get a really nice finger style out of it too.


Although, if i really want thump, i can just go to the SG.

Once again, thanks guys!
 

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