Flexible Bass Strings for ERB

Hello Folks;
I'm looking for advice on Bass Strings. I've a neurological disease which is inhibiting the dexterity and strength of my hands (CMT Type-2A for the curious).

Unfortunately, the Gods of Bass decided I should play a 7-String fretless.

So, I'm looking for a set of strings that are flexible, maybe even to the point of feeling loose, but in the best case I don't want to sacrifice sustain or growl.

Might anyone have some suggestions?

Thank you very much,
S.T.

 

Hello Ixlramp;

Thank you very much for your reply!

I ordered two sets of strings from Kalium, one really light (BH-070, BH-053, BH-037, BH-026, BP-017, BP-012, BP-008) and one a little heavier (BH-110S, BH-082, BH-061, BH-045, BH-031, BP-020, BP-014).

The very light set didn't speak at all in a B-F tuning. In fact they barely spoke properly when tuned a fourth higher. the BP-008 broke before it reached pitch.

So far, I'm liking the feel of the light set (BH-110S, BH-082, BH-061, BH-045, BH-031, BP-020, BP-014), but am still playing with playing techniques, equalization and compression to achieve a strong fundamental tone.

I very much appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you.

S.T.

 

Hello Gorn;

Thank you for your reply. I've thought about that too.

But when it comes down to it, playing my instrument is a source of wonder and restoration for me. Even though I know I'll never again be able to play in an ensemble, nor play at a level that I would consider satisfactory.

The point, for me, is that I still can play. There may come a day when I may not be able to - so why should I not suck every drop of wonder I can from the cosmos?

S.T.

 

Hello onestring;

It's very kind of you to reply. Thank you.

Unfortunately, both hands are affected equally. CMT effects the entire body, but the distal regions (lower legs, feet, forearms, and hands) get the worst of it.

Believe it or not, Michael Manring gave some like advice to me. I emailed him for advice, and he was kind enough to reply. He told me that part of his practice routine is to play with the least amount of pressure possible. Even if that means playing a single note for extended periods. I've incorporated it into my practice routine as well, and have started to see some changes in my technique I hope will elongate my playing time.

Thank you,
S.T.

 

Hello Aidil;

I very much appreciate your comment - thank you.

I'm working right now with a Kalium set (BH-110S, BH-082, BH-061, BH-045, BH-031, BP-020, BP-014), and am finding the tension nice to work with, but am missing the sturdy fundamental of heavier sets.

I'm experimenting with compression and equalization to see what I can do to get a stronger fundamental out of them.

Thank you,
S.T.

 

Thank you Aidil;

I'll try those strings too. What brand of string are you using for the .020p F string?

 

Hello Everybody;

Time for an update on my research.

I've tried 4 sets of strings:

1. LaBella BassRx (30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 118)
   These have been the least flexible strings I've tried.
   They've a very dead sound, with the low B string producing almost no articulation at all.
   That being said, they've got good sustain. So if you're looking for that Duck Dunn sound out of the box, these are the strings for you.
   
   
2. Fodera Light Nickel Roundwound
   These strings are medium-flexible, and have a very nice peppery high end and nice mid growl for my fretless.
   So far, these are my favorite sounding strings, I just wish they were a little more flexible.
   
   
3. Kalium (14, 20, 31, 45, 61, 82, 110)
   These strings are very flexible, as the gauge is very light.
   However, the Kaliums don't produce a nice growl on my fretless. Additionally, these strings were too light - they didn't quite speak
   properly, and in the higher register sounded like guitar strings.
   
   Finally, I had a lot of trouble keeping the .014 and .020 in tune. They kept slipping on the tuning peg.
   
   
4. Kalium (8, 12, 17, 26, 37, 53, 70)
   The .008 F string busted before I could get it to pitch, and the .012 which was supposed to be my C string, only started speaking when I tuned it to F. In fact all the strings needed to be tuned up a fourth just to start speaking.
   
   But, again, the set was too light - the strings simply didn't speak correctly.

I've got some LaBella Gold Whites, LaBella Copper Whites, LaBella Super Steps and some SIT Silencers on order from Bass Strings Online (the order has been back ordered for almost two months - I need to find a better string retailer). Once I put them through their paces I'll post my thoughts here.

S.T.

 

Okay Folks - time for another update. Here are the strings I've been experimenting with:

1. Ernie Ball Slinky Bass
   These strings have an interesting property where they're easy to depress, but more difficult to bend.
   The sound is metallic and bright - to my ear a very rock n' roll sound.
   They've got a very nice even response and nice fundamentals. Good choice for a low-tension set if you're needing a rock sound.
2. IQS Strings
   These strings are definitely a low-tension, and very nice.
   The Nickel Plated have a nice earthy tone, and the Stainless Steel are not too bright with a nice mid range.
   The only thing I dislike about these strings is that the B string doesn't produce as tight of a fundamental as I'd like.
   
   There are a few things to be aware of with IQS:
   a. Not all the strings shown on the website are available at their shop
   b. They're in Italy, so shipping is expensive. The shipping for two sets of strings costs almost as much as the strings themselves. So, if you can, find these at a local retailer. I'm in America and couldn't find any American online outfit carrying them.
3. LaBella White Copper Tape Wounds
   These things are an engineering wonder. They've got a solid fundamental note, a tape sound and feel, and sustain.
   If you dig that tape sound, but want a little more transients on the attack and more sustain, you need to buy these.
   Very playable - but funnily enough with my ongoing neuropathy (due to the CMT - see my first post), I cannot feel the strings in under my fingers.
   Finally, being a tape string ghost notes produce more of a bass drum thump than a snare rimshot sound one gets from a metal string.
   
   For my ear, I like the transients in a metal string - so these are not for me. This is not due to any shortcoming in these strings - simply my personal taste.
4. LaBella Gold White Tape Wounds
   Again, these things are an engineering marvel - just like the White Copper Tape Wounds.
   
   The Gold White Tape Rounds have more mid to them and a bit more transient on the attack, making them closer to a metal string. Ghost notes are more of a bass drum to floor tom thump.
   
   The same as the Copper Tape Wounds, they are very playable and I'm unable to feel these under my fingers as well.
   
   I would very definitely encourage tape string players to check these things out.
   
   Again, not my taste, but excellent craftsmanship on these things.

I've got more strings coming, and when I'm done experimenting I'll post further results here.

S.T.

 

Hello Folks;

Sorry for the long delay. This will be my final post in this topic - I do hope this investigation is helpful to others who stumble upon this.

The final set of strings I've experimented with are made by Jim Dunlop:

1. Dunlop Super Bright Bass Strings
2. Dunlop Nickel Tapered Bass Strings

Both of these sets of strings have a very low tension, and have a nice solid low B string. The Super Brights are just that - very bright, but not tinny sounding. The Nickel wound are bright for nickel wound strings, but less so than the Super Brights.

In my experience these strings are equal in playability to the Fodera strings, but lack the "pepper" mid range of the Fodera's. However, they have a stronger fundamental on the E and B strings than the Fodera offer.

Finally, throughout this investigation, I've been experimenting with F strings. I've finally settled on the Ken Smith Burner wound .020. It's bright and has a nice sustain and playability. That being said, whenever one mixes and matches a set of strings, the tone varies. For us folks who play a bass with more than 6 strings it's frustrating that we have very limited choices in obtaining a 7 string set from a single manufacturer, without placing a custom order that can get quite expensive as the string manufacturer needs to make it worth their while to construct the strings.

May the Bass be with you,
S.T.