I just purchased a Schecter Stiletto Studio 4. I wanna play hard rock on it with a pick. What strings should I get?
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Need opinions
- Thread starter Lincoln518
- Start date
Congrats on the new bass!
You’re probably going to want to try some rounds initially. Certainly a more traditional choice. I’ve got Ernie Ball Slinky’s on my fiver, and I like their tone and playability.
But I’m mostly a flats guy, and our band plays plenty of hard rock. I use TI flats on my gigging basses. They’ve got lots of high end compared to a lot of flats, which is a key to generating a little hairier rock tones. I get some overdrive from a Genzler 4 on the Floor.
I’ll usually leave strings on basses at first when I get a new one. It’s one way to try out new strings, and I figure somebody thought that those were good strings for that bass, right?
What’s your current string choice, and are you looking to change?
You’re probably going to want to try some rounds initially. Certainly a more traditional choice. I’ve got Ernie Ball Slinky’s on my fiver, and I like their tone and playability.
But I’m mostly a flats guy, and our band plays plenty of hard rock. I use TI flats on my gigging basses. They’ve got lots of high end compared to a lot of flats, which is a key to generating a little hairier rock tones. I get some overdrive from a Genzler 4 on the Floor.
I’ll usually leave strings on basses at first when I get a new one. It’s one way to try out new strings, and I figure somebody thought that those were good strings for that bass, right?
What’s your current string choice, and are you looking to change?
What strings do you have now?
What about Rotosound 66
What about Rotosound 66
Hello, and thank you!
I looked online and I saw that Schecter supposedly uses Ernie Ball roundwounds. I really felt the strings were too stiff and uncomfortable on my fingers. I had a spare set of NYXL’s and threw them on. They are okay for now, but not quite what I’m looking for. I’m probably leaning the most toward Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds because they are smooth and sound like a roundwound (I currently have these on my Stingray and they sound incredible). The only other bass I have is a Fender Jazz and DR Sunbeams are my favorite for that. So I’m just looking for ideas.
I have tried their Flats and absolutely hated them. I’ve always been curious about their rounds though, never tried them.
There’s no best string. Experiment
I know, but before I blow a bunch of money on bass strings, I would like to hear some opinions first.
If you’re digging those EB cobalts on your Ray, I’d say start there. The Stilletto has buckers too, I think, so you’ll probably cop a similar tone.
As far as flats vs rounds for rock, our band is adding Sandman and I was starting to work on it tonight. I have to say that my Aerodyne with Geezer pickups played with a pick on TI flats has very ballsy tone with a little grit in the chain. So I’m all for playing what you like; you can usually find the tones you need out of strings that feel good to play.
Cheers!
D
Roto 66s are very different to Roto 77 flats which are extremely stiff. Possibly the stiffest strings you'll ever find when comparing simular gauges. Roto 66s are far more supple. The windings are slightly rougher than most roundwounds though. I've never found this to be a problem but some players don't like that rougher feel. If you're leaning towards flats for a smoother feel under the fingers I don't think you will be happy with Roto 66s.
Another complaint about the Roto 66s is that they don't last very long. At least not if you want their bright signature tone (think Chris Squire/Yes). Personally I love Roto 66s when they're broken in (some would say "dead") due to their unique, fat/dirty mids, which you won't get with any other strings.
I guess it depends what you mean by "hard rock". If it's old school hard rock like early Sabbath I think the warmer "broken in" tone of Rotos could be great. If it's a more modern, brighter hard rock tone you would probably need to replace Roto 66s every 2-3 weeks.
You seem to be gravitating towards flats though. Keep in mind that flatwounds are generally stiffer than roundwounds. If you don't like strings with a stiffer feel you might not be happy with most flats. Maybe if you use a lighter gauge. Personally I prefer 45-105 with roundwounds but typically 40-100 with most flats. But flats can vary a LOT more than roundswounds when it comes to stiffness, tone and sustain. Some flats are much too dark&thumpy for hard rock IMO, like LaBellas or GHS. Others are far more supple, brighter and have more sustain, like TI Jazz Flats.
I love DR HiBeams and honestly the Dunlop Super Bright seem the same. I play flats and rounds for different things but the DR are my favorite bright rounds for rock. I also use TI Jazz Rounds and they’re magic but I don’t think they are what you’re looking for.
Dunlop Super Brights.
You said Ernie Ball's were too stiff and uncomfortable...well Super Brights are the opposite of those.
You said Ernie Ball's were too stiff and uncomfortable...well Super Brights are the opposite of those.
for rock, I would get SS as they stay brighter longer. But nice nickels will do.
- DR Lo-riders
- Dunlop Super Brights
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Hard rock is a broad category. What bassist and/or album has the tone you are seeking? That will help with suggestions.
Rotosound strings always had their own good sound and the price is also nice.
I agree 100% AND just to add my 2 cents, remember that you can (and I dare say, SHOULD) experiment with different string gauges as well string types and manufacturers.
OP mentioned finding certain strings too stiff. Note that you might like the exact same strings if you tried a lighter (or heavier) gauge set of strings. If you’re finding strings too “stiff,” try a lighter gauge set.
FWIW, Elixir nanoweb nickel wounds (.040 to .100”) have been my go-to for my four string basses for a long time. To my ears they have a perfect balance of brightness and roundness, and they LAST a long time. YMMV.
Just keep in mind these are much stiffer than Ernie Balls, which he said are already too stiff.
OK - so I gather you are looking for something a little less rough than rounds, but not all the way mellow like a classic Labella flatwound. Ernie Ball cobalt flats sounds like a good starting point, since you know you already like them. Flatwounds do tend to be stiffer feeling than roundwounds of the same gauge, so if you try them and decide you want something a little more pliable while also maintaining a smoother feel, I really like GHS Pressurewounds/ Ken Smith Compressors (they're basically the same thing, GHS makes them for KS using the same materials, just slightly different gauges). The outer wrap of these is a round wire that's been run though a press to flatten it out into an oval shape, so they're not exactly flatwounds but they do have a smoother feel than rounds. Plenty of bright top end at first and then they mellow out into a nice, growly tone with plenty of punch. The wrap wire is also made of a nickel/steel alloy rather than straight stainless or nickel plated stainless, and I think it performs beautifully with overdrive and distortion.
I guess maybe punk rock, like Black Flag for instance.
