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Musicman Stringray SR5 - replacement strings that require the least "tweaking"

Marley's Ghost

Marley's Ghost

Feb 9, 2002
6,636
9,496
Tampa, FL
#1
Going for my first non Slinky replacment set. I had a bad experience with DR Nickel Lo Riders that just seemed like a poor fit, even in a mixed 45-65-80-100-130 set. I could not get rid of the overtones or get the intonation right.

I like DR nickel tone, and D'Addarios have worked well in on other basses. I know the SR5 is a very "sensitive" bass to string tension/gauge changes. Any suggestions? Sunbeams? XL's? I play rock and funk, and like some grindy punch to my tone.
 
#6
Marley's Ghost said:
Do you think they would be able to give me bass model specific advice? I've used them on other basses without issue.
Click to expand...

I have a Ray (I'm selling) that I just put a set of lo riders on. The B string was a bit too long and the actual string is on the tuner but I haven't had any trouble with it.

I've also used Sunbeams on a Ray 5 HH and had good results. I'm curious if you got a bad set of strings.
 
#8
Yikes I hope that's not true. Just ordered this exact set in same gauge which is the same as the stock EB Slinkies that are still on there.

Are the problems you are having on all strings or just certain ones?

Also, have you tried Sunbeams? Similar to nickel lo riders but looser tension.
 
#9
My DR Lo Rider Nickel issue was mostly with the intonation on the low B, and overtones on the E and B. I tried wrapping the strings on the tuning pegs several different ways to no avail.

How do you SR5 guys wrap the strings? I have seen both top and bottom in photos. I've always had my strings coming out of the bottom of the wrap. How many wraps per string? I couldn't get any consistent advice over at the EBMM forum.
 
#10
I used to really like DR strings but there are plenty of other strings that sound as good that arent priced as high.
I've been doing okay on med light slinkys or med light DRs with all my basses. though I do like Rotos on my Ovation.
I've never had any kind of odd overtone problems even with cheap strings.
Is the bridge adjusted strangely?
I've seen some pretty odd configurations of Musicman bridges, though that is mostly confined to the 4 bangers.
 
#15
I had good luck with a set of circle k strings. Balanced tension and tone that works well with the sr5's naturally enthusiastic character.

If the intonation issue you were having wasn't a twisted string it maybe that the pickup is too high, or maybe both.

Cheers
Neil
 
#16
The best sounding strings on a 4 string Stingray, for me, have been Fat Beams--once they break in. They sounded fantastic, but I don't like the way they feel. I use Dunlop nickels on my Stingray 5. They sound great on that bass and they last a good while.
 
#20
Just installed a set of DR nickel lo riders on my SR5 last night. Got a custom set that is same gauge as the stock EB. I had no trouble installing or intonating replacing one string at a time and measuring based on the old one. Stretched and tuned and everything was perfect. A rough check of intonation showed there was no significant change from the EBs. I'll do a more accurate check today with my strobe tuner. Messing around last night I couldn't put the bass down! Strings fell great - slightly more tension than EBs - and at least at home very impressed with tone.
 

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