Next string suggestion for Yamaha TRBX605?

[vindibona1]

I ordered the L8000 (40-60-80-100) and a single 130B.

The factory 5-string light set (40-60-80-101-126) has all five strings at 38" in winding length. I wanted the low B to be 36.5" for a better fit on my Yamaha.

I see. Why the .040 rather than .045?

 

[michael_t]

I see. Why the .040 rather than .045?

Wanted to try the light set to see if they might be kinder and gentler on my 62-yr-old battle-scarred hands. And I think they were the right choice as they feel just right for me - not too stiff, but not too flexible, either.

 

[arginator]

I’ve read this thread several times in my search for strings for my TRBX605, and just wanted to add my thoughts. I tried DR Nickel LoRiders and Pure Blues. I like the feel of nickels, and have used these before on other basses, but wasn’t happy with them on the Yamaha. I’m currently using DR Hi Beams, and they have made a world of difference on this bass. I haven’t liked the feel of most stainless strings I’ve used, but these don’t feel as rough. Not as smooth as nickels, but smooth enough. And the tone makes up for it, so for now I’m happy.

 

[michael_t]

I tried DR Nickel LoRiders and Pure Blues. I like the feel of nickels, and have used these before on other basses, but wasn’t happy with them on the Yamaha.

My TRBX505 has been wearing the GHS Bassics (NPS roundwound) for the last couple of months, and I would have to agree it sounds a bit too generic and "vanilla" with them. But instead of switching to SS rounds to brighten things up and end up having to deal with the feel I dislike, I'll be going back to my tried and true GHS Pressurewounds (with a GHS Progressive 130B) when it's time for a change.

A couple of the sound techs at my church have always liked the way my 505 sounds with the Pressurewounds. They would describe my bass tone as having "full-bodied punch with crunchy mids for sitting well in the mix", thanks to the unique tonal character and the extra responsiveness of Alloy 52. I can't argue with their well-trained ears...and their good taste.

 

[Yahboy]

I’ve read this thread several times in my search for strings for my TRBX605, and just wanted to add my thoughts. I tried DR Nickel LoRiders and Pure Blues. I like the feel of nickels, and have used these before on other basses, but wasn’t happy with them on the Yamaha. I’m currently using DR Hi Beams, and they have made a world of difference on this bass. I haven’t liked the feel of most stainless strings I’ve used, but these don’t feel as rough. Not as smooth as nickels, but smooth enough. And the tone makes up for it, so for now I’m happy.

I believe the 125 B string make the 605 has better solid B voice too.

 

[GTHintz]

I would say that you should check out either sunbeams or fat beams from DR and see if stainless will give you that extra tone. I found that stainless gives me the sparkle and flavor that I feel lacks with nickel. If you think Nickel steel is going to get you where you want to be try some Ken Smith burners or GHS boomers. Another string I think would really work is sadowski blue label. They are very unique and come in nickel and stainless. The stainless won't be too harsh but you're going to like how the mid range sits. I played them for a while and gained a healthy appreciation for how good they feel and how solid the tone is. Good luck.

 

[trothwell]

After much deliberation and listening to samples online, I decided to replace the Yamaha TRB that I sold ~12 years ago with a TRBX 605.

While that purchase is in transit, it's time to think about what strings! I believe that one of the reasons I was disappointed (to a degree) with the TRB I used to have was that I never found the best strings for it. While it was a joy to play, the tone could get lost in a band mix. I do feel that the online samples I have heard suggest that I might like the baseline sound of the TRBX 605 better, but we shall see in a few days!

In any case, it seems generally agreed upon that the stock D'Addario XL strings are not a great match for the TRBX.

Based on what I've read, I think I will first try Rotosound UltraMags or GHS Pressurewound for the extra oomph from the alloy 52 material. I tend to favor GHS and Rotosound strings in general, so I suspect I may be happy with that selection.

But since this was last discussed here three years ago, any new thoughts on strings that pair well with the TRBX 600 (or 500)?

 

[michael_t]

Based on what I've read, I think I will first try Rotosound UltraMags or GHS Pressurewound for the extra oomph from the alloy 52 material...

I've used both on my TRBX505 and I do agree Alloy 52 does seem to add "extra oomph" to it. After eight months with SIT Power Wound Nickels, it now wears the Ken Smith Compressors, which are the closes sibling to the GHS Pressurewound.

 

[trothwell]

I've used both on my TRBX505 and I do agree Alloy 52 does seem to add "extra oomph" to it. After eight months with SIT Power Wound Nickels, it now wears the Ken Smith Compressors, which are the closes sibling to the GHS Pressurewound.

Would the preference for the Ken Smith strings be to get the tapered core on the B string?

 

[michael_t]

Would the preference for the Ken Smith strings be to get the tapered core on the B string?

Yes, the tapered B was one of the primary considerations for trying the Ken Smith. Plus, I like the gauges in the light factory set, 40-58-80-102, which are the exact gauges I use for both the Super Steels and the Bassics. Besides, the Compressors are actually priced lower than the Pressurewounds, at least for the factory 4-string sets.

Here's the interesting part... When I swapped out the SIT Power Wound Nickels for the Compressors, I decided to keep the PWN exposed-core 125B just as an experiment to see how it would match up with the Compressors. I'm pleasantly surprised how well they actually match.

EDIT: I should also add that my 505 has benefited from tapered/exposed-core low B's for added clarity and definition over non-tapered B's.

 

[trothwell]

Yes, the tapered B was one of the primary considerations for trying the Ken Smith. Plus, I like the gauges in the light factory set, 40-58-80-102, which are the exact gauges I use for both the Super Steels and the Bassics. Besides, the Compressors are actually priced lower than the Pressurewounds, at least for the factory 4-string sets.

Here's the interesting part... When I swapped out the SIT Power Wound Nickels for the Compressors, I decided to keep the PWN exposed-core 125B just as an experiment to see how it would match up with the Compressors. I'm pleasantly surprised how well they actually match.

EDIT: I should also add that my 505 has benefited from tapered/exposed-core low B's for added clarity and definition over non-tapered B's.

Well huh! Interesting. I am inclined to guess I would favor the more open roundwound tone of the UltraMags, but I know those are not tapered on the B string. Perhaps for picking my first set the Ken Smiths will be the way to go. I suppose I could get a 4-string set of the UltraMags and some other tapered B, such as the PWN you mentioned here.

Why oh why did GHS Progressives not come back? Would just make life so much easier.

 

[michael_t]

I suppose I could get a 4-string set of the UltraMags and some other tapered B, such as the PWN you mentioned here...

The last time I tried the Ultramags on my 505, I had the 40-100 set matched up with the Progressive 130B and they sounded like they belonged together. I currently have the Progressive 130B matched up with the Compressors 40-102 on my BB435.

If I were you, I would even consider the Contact Core Super Steel B to go with the Ultramags.

 

[trothwell]

Looks like the GHS Super Steels are only available for B string (or 5-string sets) in the 36.5 winding length. Okay here?

 

[michael_t]

Looks like the GHS Super Steels are only available for B string (or 5-string sets) in the 36.5 winding length. Okay here?

The Contact Core Super Steel B's (125/129) are both 36.5" according to the list on the GHS website. Considering it will be top-loaded, which is the only way to make use of the exposed core, that's the right length on a 34" scale.

Singles - Contact Core Super Steels

Since 1964, GHS Strings has been winding electric guitar strings in the southwestern corner of Michigan. Striking a balance between tradition and innovation, GHS Strings is a major manufacturer of strings for electric & acoustic guitars, bass guitar, classical guitar, banjo, mandolin and much more.

www.ghsstrings.com

Here's a pic of the Super Steels with the top-loaded B with 36.5" winding (E-G thru-body) on my Yamaha BB435.

 

[trothwell]

So sometimes string experimentation theory gets superseded by good deals on actually buying strings.

After ditching the stock D'Addario XL strings (which didn't sound as awful as I was expecting based on other commentary about the stock strings, but certainly didn't sound great either), I installed a off-the-shelf 5-string medium set of GHS Pressurewounds.

Here, I think the Pressurewound B-string just sounds too wooly; the E string kind of does too, though not as much. (I have the medium GHS Pressurewounds on my 4-string Fender Jazz as well, no complaints there.)

Since the main reason I even bought this bass was to get the utility of the B-string, I think ... I think a Pressurewound B string is out. By and large the rest of the strings sound okay enough, but I think I would like to hear what some other non-stock roundwounds sound like as well. I was thinking to try the Rotosound Ultramags, but I got a good (even great?) price on a 5-string set of GHS Super Steels, so planning to try that next.

Oh, and the bass itself? I think there's a lot of sonic similarity between this and a Yamaha TRB that I bought nearly 20 years ago. It sounds a bit like a Fender Jazz, but not really. I've been so into classic vintage tones for so long that it seems kind of strange, but I think if I can get past the fact that the TRBX really does not sound like a Fender, but it is its own thing, then it sounds quite fine.

The active preamp controls are, in my opinion, bizarre, but I think I will save that for another thread.

 

[michael_t]

Here, I think the Pressurewound B-string just sounds too wooly; the E string kind of does too, though not as much. (I have the medium GHS Pressurewounds on my 4-string Fender Jazz as well, no complaints there.)

Out of all the non-tapered B's I've tried on my 505, the GHS Boomer 120 (with 40-55-75-95) sounded the best. Then came the Progressive 130 with an exposed core, which was a game changer for me. Better definition, clarity and sustain, it balanced well with the PW 40-96 by brightening up the B to match the rest. I haven't tried the Ken Smith Compressor taperwound 125B yet on this bass, though.

I've also had good success with SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-100 with an exposed-core 125B. When I replaced the PWN with Compressors 40-102, I kept the PWN 125B and it's been working out surprisingly well so far. SIT also has the PWN in taperwound 130B as well.

Meanwhile, my BB435 is now wearing the Compressor 40-102 and the Progressive 130B.

 

[michael_t]

@trothwell, have you considered trying the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on your 605? I ask because @vindibona1, the OP for this thread, has always spoken positively about them on his 605.

 

[trothwell]

@trothwell, have you considered trying the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on your 605? I ask because @vindibona1, the OP for this thread, has always spoken positively about them on his 605.

I _suspect_ that if I'm finding the Pressurewound B string on the wooly side, then the same would be true with probably any flatwounds.

I could be wrong! But I think I'll veer more roundwound.

If I like the GHS Super Steels set in general, might try the exposed-core B string there.

 

[michael_t]

If I like the GHS Super Steels set in general, might try the exposed-core B string there.

I've never tried the Super Steels on the 505, but I have on the BB435 with the .125 exposed-core B. I would expect them to work well on the 505.

 

[Killing Floor]

Try TI Jazz Rounds.