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Help - Best String for Classic Rock

tunewriter

tunewriter

Jul 26, 2012
108
26
#1
I just bought a used Ibanez SR500 and I am a 65 year old newly converted bass player from guitar so I still tend to use the pick while playing bass more often than not. Trying to get into finger picking more often but its gonna take a while. Want to put some new strings on the Ibanez. Appreciate any suggestions on whats best for me right now.
 
#2
I also play classic rock but prefer a Precision Style bass for that warm tone.

I like and recommend Nickel rounds (like Duncan), half-rounds or flats. (Chromes are popular) I would stay away from steel rounds with a pick unless you want that punk, metal sound.

If you are staying with the Ibanez and picking, I would point you toward a warmer traditional flat wound like Ernie Ball, Pyramid, or LaBella. (I like the FL which is a lighter gauge for less tension) These type of strings sound great with a pick. So much so, that it almost makes me want to play pickstyle.
 
#4
+1 on nickel rounds. I prefer the DR Low Rider nickel over the RotoSound 66 (steel) I was using before. The nickel feels a little smoother under my fingers. I have these on my Jazz right now, and I love the aggressive tone. These are my go-to rounds for the foreseeable future.

+1 on Chromes. I have these on my Fender P-J bass. Very full, round and warm tone -- much smoother tone than rounds, obviously. My bandmates like how they fill out the low end, and they are much easier on the fingertips.
 
#5
I recommend Rotosound Swing 66s nickel or steel or if you like flatwounds then the Roto Jazz 77s are nice too. I'm not affiliated at all with Rotosound I just think they make a quality solid sounding string IMHO etc.
 
#6
Bullitt5135 said:
+1 on nickel rounds. I prefer the DR Low Rider nickel over the RotoSound 66 (steel) I was using before. The nickel feels a little smoother under my fingers. I have these on my Jazz right now, and I love the aggressive tone. These are my go-to rounds for the foreseeable future.

+1 on Chromes. I have these on my Fender P-J bass. Very full, round and warm tone -- much smoother tone than rounds, obviously. My bandmates like how they fill out the low end, and they are much easier on the fingertips.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the Chromes and the Nickel Lo Riders. Chromes slightly palm muted with a pick produces an incredibly full sound. I prefer to play with my fingers but the sound is so good picking the Chromes that I use it frequently. I play everything from Primus to Stones to Motorhead and the Lo Riders and Chromes get the job done.
 
#7
During the 70's GHS, Rotosound, Daddario, Fender, Ernie Ball. all had plenty of pro bass players doing rock music with their strings. Theres no best of course. Continue playing with a pick., Plenty of pro players doing rock in the 70's used a pick rather then fingers.
 
#8
I'm 52 and just started a couple years ago. My 'classic rock' is the '70s era. I've used Rotosound 66 (steels), DR Lo-Riders (steels and nickels), DR Fat-Beams, D'Addario Chromes, D'Addario XLs and Circle-Ks. For that genre of music, I have settled on Chromes on one of my Hamer's, and DR Fat-Beams on one of my Ric's.

When trying strings, some need to break in a bit to be properly evaluated. For example, Chromes are quite ringy out of the box, but after a few weeks, settle in quite nicely. Roto 66's are intensely incredible out of the box, settle in after a few weeks, then die in a few months. DR's stay pretty much the same new or broken in.

Your experiences will vary due to local humidity, acid balance and amount of sweat of your hands, and personal habits regarding hand washing, eating while playing, hours a week of playing, etc.
 
#13
Hi All:

Bumping this thread in the hopes of getting some specific advice.

I've just started playing bass on some songs for my classic-rock cover band (Stones, Beatles, Velvet Underground, Petty, etc.). For now, I'm finger plucking exclusively, but as I become a serviceable bassist, I'd like to be able to play with a pick also.

I recently picked-up an '84 Peavey Fury bass (ash/maple with the one single-coil 'super Ferrite' PUP). I'm playing through a Hartke Kickback 12, and so far lovin' it! :bassist:

However, I think the strings on the Fury are fairly old, and I'll need to change them soon. The bass' previous owner wasn't sure what strings were on it, but is pretty sure they are gauges 105-45 (this sounds/feels about right to me).

So far, in my very limited experience, I have played the following sets that have felt and sounded good to me:
* RotoSound RS 66LD 'Swing Bass 66' 105-45 (loved these!)
* Fender USA Super Bass 7250ML, NPS, 100-45

So, what strings would you recommend in the 105-45 gauge for classic-rock and electric blues?

(Please do not recommend Thomastik-Infeld as at this point in my bass playing career I would prefer to not have to take out a loan to buy strings. :hiding:) Thanks!
 
#18
It comes stock with Elixir Nano's 45105. I have an SR600, and for a little mellower tone I've used SIT Powerwounds. They are some very nice warm/somewhat bright sounding strings that seem to last a bit longer than other nickel rounds.

I would go with some kind of nickel rounds anyway to keep the sig Ibby Sr sound alive ... you can always dial the treble back.
 
#19
Whenever I hear or read the phrase "classic rock", I immediately think: "nickel roundwounds". :hmm:

Back in the day, when classic rock was still actually being produced, when we just referred to it as "rock", a set of medium-gauge GHS Boomers on my '66 Precision Bass always did the trick - for rocking out on some REO Speedwagon. Or some Foghat. Or some Head East. (How's that for examples of some good ol' '70s arena rock? :smug:)

I haven't played Boomers now for more than 30 years. But I'd bet that D'Addario XLs are going to be just as good for you - if not better.

That would be my recommendation: D'Addario XLs. Just can't go wrong there... :hmm:

MM
 

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