Ibanez SR506 Strings

[jemerpi]

Hey guys and gals!

I have mostly played flats (Chromes, Rotos, and TIs) and am new to the six string game. And, I am looking for the best sounding of the very versatile rounds when playing fingerstyle (normally) and using a pick (aggressive plucking, chording, and soloing) with no slapping. Especially as would best match my new SR506.

I have largely focused on D'Addario NYXLs and Dr Pure Blues from what I have read so far. Thus, any comments on these, or any new suggestions, would be much appreciated. As for context, rock standards and fusion jazz are my main gigs.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[GTHintz]

Honestly I personally prefer steel to nickel. Reason being is that I like the overtones better. Especially doing jazz soloing and that kind of stuff I can see that helping you. The next thing is to figure out if you want to have stiffer strings or more supple. Gauges with effect this too but construction definitely influences it. If you're looking at nyxl maybe pro steels would be a good idea. If you want a good string from DR fat beams or lo riders are great choices. My favorite strings are Dean Markley blue steel and Ken Smith Rockmasters. To me they both really have everything I need in a string. Good medium tension and good feel to the touch. The blue steels bite a little different than the rock masters but both sound really nice. I think the Rockmasters are very tonally balanced and the blue steels are more punchy and probably a little bit more low mids heavy to me. Can't go wrong with either though. Worth noting that Ken Smith is a major innovator in the 6 string game and I know that his reputation in those strings mean something. But lots of great roundwound out there and you're going to hear lots of people giving you lots of ideas. Good luck and hope you find what's best for your ears and hands.

 

[Vinny_G]

What gauge?

 

[jemerpi]

What gauge?

Medium to medium light

 

[Vinny_G]

From what you are describing, I would say the GHS Super Steels 6L-STB set (27-40-58 -80-102-126).

 

[GTHintz]

From what you are describing, I would say the GHS Super Steels 6L-STB set (27-40-58 -80-102-126).

Those are very close to Ken Smith strings. Made in the same place.

 

[Aidil]

I'd recommend NYXL 45-105 set with 032 high-C and 130T low-B singles for recent build SR506 that came with Bartolini BH2 pickups, or

Elixir 14087 set (45-105) with 15332 high-C (032) and 15432 low-B (130tw) singles for older build SR506 that came with Bartolini MK1 pickups.

Emphasize the use of taper wound for the low-B on both builds.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I have Dunlops on my SR506. They sound great.

 

[Aidil]

I have Dunlops on my SR506. They sound great.

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^ This ^
I also agree, though it needs to be more specific. Don't know why I didn't recommend Dunlop strings on my previous post. I use Dunlop Super Bright Stainless Steel and Nickel Plated Steel, not the plain Dunlop round wound strings, on a couple of Ibanez BTB's (the BTB7 gets the Super Bright NPS 6 string 30/130 set and the BTB685SC gets the Super Bright SS 5 string 40/120 set) and also on the Ibanez SRAS7 (hybrid fretless-fretted bass) fretted part which gets the Super Bright NPS 40/100 set.

Not only the Super Brights sound good on these Ibanez basses of mine, but also easy on my fretting fingers as they are quite flexible.

 

[Element Zero]

Fodera Steel tapered B sets have been great IME.

 

[Paul New]

I tried a few sets and ultimately went back to the Elixer set on mine.