Ibanez SR owners: string suggestions, please

[Jhass]

It also occurs to me that this bass may be one of those that is great in a live setting, but doesn’t sound “fat and round” when played at home. I haven’t gigged with it yet (pandemic), but I suspect that in a live setting with a rock/pop band, it’s going to be excellent.

 

[Steadfast]

I have an Sr 2600. No intonation issues. In fact it is the best tuned bass I have ever owned including ebmm bongos.

However, the low end struggles when compared to my jazz basses. I have improved the low end with Roto Sound 66’s. Passive works better imho on this bass.

 

[Steadfast]

It also occurs to me that this bass may be one of those that is great in a live setting, but doesn’t sound “fat and round” when played at home. I haven’t gigged with it yet (pandemic), but I suspect that in a live setting with a rock/pop band, it’s going to be excellent.

this is true. My 2600 on YouTube live sounds convincing but at home it is meh on low end.

 

[sonojono]

Pressurewounds on an Ibanez were meh. The winners for me on an SR bass are GHS Roundcore Boomers, GHS Precision Flats, Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and recently Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Flatwounds.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

My favorite strings on a SR with big singles have been DR Hi Beams and GHS pressure wounds

 

[edthebass]

It also occurs to me that this bass may be one of those that is great in a live setting, but doesn’t sound “fat and round” when played at home. I haven’t gigged with it yet (pandemic), but I suspect that in a live setting with a rock/pop band, it’s going to be excellent.

Very wise words here. They are true from my experience.

 

[Jhass]

Pressurewounds on an Ibanez were meh. The winners for me on an SR bass are GHS Roundcore Boomers, GHS Precision Flats, Dunlop Super Bright Nickels and recently Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Flatwounds.

Thanks. Have you tried Pressurewounds on an SR that has Big Single pickups?

 

[Outshined91]

I had an SR once that originally had Ernie Ball rounds on it... they were okay. But I changed out the strings for Rotosound RS77 Jazz Flatwounds, and it really came alive. For me, it provided some fatness while mellowing the tone and giving the bass a more passive, round sound. Try those if you can!!

 

[Wesley R]

Tapewounds

 

[Ric5]

I have a 2020 SR 1100B Premium, with the Nordstrand Big Single pickups. I'd love to get a "fatter" sound from it. Do you have any string suggestions? I'm currently using D'Adarrio NYXL, and I have a set of GHS Pressurewounds that I am thinking about trying. Would flatwounds work well?

It is hard to beat D'Adarrio strings

 

[sonojono]

Thanks. Have you tried Pressurewounds on an SR that has Big Single pickups?

Yes I have. Made the mids more honky and twangy. I prefer Pressurewounds on my Steinberger and NS Design Basses.

 

[Jhass]

Yes I have. Made the mids more honky and twangy. I prefer Pressurewounds on my Steinberger and NS Design Basses.

I’ve had them on my NS also. I agree they sound good on those.

 

[sonojono]

I’ve had them on my NS also. I agree they sound good on those.

Have you tried GHS Balanced nickels? Forgot to mention those as well for Ibanez. I also like them on my CR too!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I have a 2020 SR 1100B Premium, with the Nordstrand Big Single pickups. I'd love to get a "fatter" sound from it. Do you have any string suggestions? I'm currently using D'Adarrio NYXL, and I have a set of GHS Pressurewounds that I am thinking about trying. Would flatwounds work well?

Pressurewounds'll get you there. I always suggest elixir nickels though. They'll give you more mid range out of your singles. But really, if I were you, I'd swap out the big singles for big splits. I just did that in my tele. World of a difference. It's like everything that's missing from the single, without changing the tonal character.

 

[Jhass]

Have you tried GHS Balanced nickels? Forgot to mention those as well for Ibanez. I also like them on my CR too!

I’ve been intrigued by Balanced Nickels for a while, but haven’t tried them.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks for the TI flats recommendation. More of a p-bass sound is exactly what I want. Maybe I should sell the Ibby and get a p-bass!

I’m not having intonation issues with the NYXLs. I do find that I have to fiddle with the tuning a bit, though. Once the open string is tuned, the octave will often be slightly flat, and I will have to make tiny adjustments to tune the string slightly higher, still keeping it within the “in tune” range on my Boss tuner, until the octave also falls into place. This often takes several tries. But so far, I’ve been able to

That's an intonation issue....possibly. Does your 12th harmonic match your 12th fretted?

Riis

 

[Jhass]

That's an intonation issue....possibly. Does your 12th harmonic match your 12th fretted?

Riis

I just checked. Everything is perfect.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I just checked. Everything is perfect.

Okay...the open string = the 12th harmonic = 12th fretted. I was confused on what was flat and why.

Riis

 

[Jhass]

Okay...the open string = the 12th harmonic = 12th fretted. I was confused on what was flat and why.

Riis

That's correct. But in order to get the 12 fret to = open string, it can take some fiddling with the tuning on the open string, making it sharper in tiny, tiny increments until I find the sweet spot where both the open string and 12 fret are in tune.

 

[Jhass]

Once i do get the bass in tune, it is very stable. I tuned it last night, and this evening it is still perfectly in tune.