Ibanez SR700 - what strings should I choose?

[SKing_Bonesmith]

Hey folks.
I recently went through some tough problems with my left hand, and for the sake of comfortable comeback switched from my fretless 6-string to a 4 string bass, given by my good friend and bandmate.

Bass in a question is Ibanez SR700, which is a great instrument in so many ways. I love the output of Bartolini pups. Now, the time has come to change the strings, and I am not too sure what should I choose. I play in two bands, which play soul music and funky rock (slap and agressive playing included). I still have trouble with a good settings for EQ - but that's another question.

Please write a whole big bunch of different opinions.
Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

I recently went through some tough problems with my left hand, and for the sake of comfortable comeback switched from my fretless 6-string to a 4 string bass...

I play in two bands, which play soul music and funky rock (slap and agressive playing included).

Assuming you want and need something easy on your left hand, I can suggest a couple that are known for their flexibility/suppleness...

DR Hi-Beams (Stainless Steel) or DR Sunbeams (Nickel-plated Steel), depending on how bright and aggressive you want them.

Dunlop Super Brights come in both SS and NPS.

 

[Aidil]

+1 on the Dunlop Super Bright. The Nickel ones are bright enough for slaps and very easy for both right plucking and left fretting fingers. But, I'm not quite sure for aggressive style of playing, cause they are rather flexible.

 

[SKing_Bonesmith]

I was thinking about DR Hi-Beams, but unfortunately, DR bass strings are almost impossible to find here right now.
D'Addario Flex Steels (extra-light) seem like a good idea. I loved their sound on my 6 string. Any thoughts about them?

 

[Yahboy]

Mk1 pup sound nice with Elixir Nanoweb.

 

[Aidil]

I was thinking about DR Hi-Beams, but unfortunately, DR bass strings are almost impossible to find here right now.
D'Addario Flex Steels (extra-light) seem like a good idea. I loved their sound on my 6 string. Any thoughts about them?

Me too love the FlexSteels. I still keep a bass strung with the FlexSteels despite D'Addario has discontinued making them. I also still have a spare set that I haven't used. But after they all have gone, I think the closest replacement in terms of flexibility would be the Dunlop Super Bright series.

 

[SKing_Bonesmith]

Mk1 pup sound nice with Elixir Nanoweb.

Thanks for the opinion!
I'd be thankful if you tell me a thing or two about the sound.

 

[Yahboy]

Thanks for the opinion!
I'd be thankful if you tell me a thing or two about the sound.

I own a Korean made SR705 in past, I been try Daddario EXL, Daddario ENR ,DR lorider nickel and stainless steel, only the stock Elixir Nano nickel sound great on it. Especially the tapered B string, better clear sound.
Elixir nano nickel has no harsh tone, the mid is nice present alOng with warm low mid voice. And she longlasting....
Even I swap with us Bart P2 soapar and ntmb 3 band preamp, still the Elixir win.

Hopehelp

 

[Aidil]

Agree with @Yahboy, I like Elixir NPS Nanoweb with my Ibanez basses. Currently I have 2 basses strung with these (and also an AEB strung with Elixir 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Bass Nanoweb). But...

referring back to your opening statement, these might not fit you as these are quite high tension strings, far from the FlexSteels discussed earlier or the Super Bright which I think have the closest tension to the FlexSteels, given they are all about the same gauges (basically I use 45-65-85-105, with additional 130tw or 135T low-B and 30 or 32 high-C, depending on the bass string configuration).

Lately I'm also getting used to mild or low tension strings, as I play more my basses strung with Dunlop Super Bright and D'Addario Chromes Super Light Gauge. Then when I switched to my bass strung with the Elixir NPS, my left fretting fingers would feel like beaten-up trying to coup with the tension.

 

[B-Lo]

I have an SR655 and it came from the factory with Elixirs. If you liked the strings it had on it, perhaps they were already Elixirs. If so, that may be your answer.

 

[vindibona1]

I don't have a ton of experience with strings, but I have an Ibanez BTB which looks like it has similar Bartolini picks (MK-1 vs MK-2) but will assume they sound similar. I can't tell you what you need if you play super aggressively, but for an all around string set I've grown quite fond of the D'Addario NYXL's. I previously had DR Pure Blues but wanted something with a bit more punch without losing versatility and the NYXL's sound terrific. I've since put a set on my Yamaha TRBX605 and they sound great on that bass too and will soon put a set on my Fender Jazz 5. But if you need a set primarily for slap I'll defer to the others' recommendation.

 

[Aidil]

No, the MK2s are nothing similar to the MK1s.

But yeah, the NYXL could also be a good choice for OP, cause the NYXL has relatively lower tension due to the usage of smaller hex core inside, just like the FlexSteels and the Super Bright. Although NYXL has (relatively) high price which might not suit everyone.

 

[SKing_Bonesmith]

Great opinions, thank you a lot!
I think I'll give a try for NYXL right now, but I'll gladly hear out other opinions out there.

 

[TimB 619]

My Ibanez is a SRA 500. I prefer D'addario nickel rounds on it. They seem to sound best on it, not only when brand new, but also after they've deadened a bit.

 

[hotbass57]

I have an Ibanez SR650 I have TI flats on it. Love the tone and feel and I run passive.

 

[rond]

Agree with @Yahboy, I like Elixir NPS Nanoweb with my Ibanez basses. Currently I have 2 basses strung with these (and also an AEB strung with Elixir 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Bass Nanoweb). But...

I like Elixirs mainly because they last so long. Just strung my newly acquired SR700 with them. My SR405QM bass has the same set of Elixiers on them for about 5 years and they still sound great!

 

[iiipopes]

I own two Ibby 5-strings. Both came with D'Addario XL as OEM. I have tried many different sets on them both over the years. I keep coming back to the D'A's for consistency, feel, and slotting the mix well.