Hi all, Finally gig my hands on a Warwick, which I've always wanted! OK so it's a Rockbass Corvette but I could never afford the German-made version! It had some old strings on it in the shop which were slightly dead but had that amazing sound of wood feel and really brought out the high end J sound too. I like a combo of cutting through and a woody tone so I whacked on some DR Hi-Beams and now it just sounds like any other metallic bass sound- not what I was after. Do you guys think broken in strings is the answer or do I need nickels, or possibly half-wounds, to get that combo of warm woody tone and cutting edge? Thanks in advance- Talkbass is awesome!!
D'Addario nylon tapewound strings will give you a woody sound, but you may lose the cutting edge in the process IMO. Slightly dead GHS Boomers have been sounding a little woody on my P-bass lately too.
The strings that are on my Corvette Std right now, and have been for a couple of years, are the GHS Progressives. They've got a distinct bite to them without being too harsh, and really let the character of the bass come through. It's got an active set of pickups and preamp from Seymour Duncan, and that's playing a large part as well, but it all works together very well.
Tapewounds, or GHS Precision Flats, or maybe LaBella, and put a block of foam under the strings at the bridge.
As a "Wick user, I can tell you this: I've tried the majority of strings on mine for the same tone you seek. What I came to, and have stuck with for years is this: LaBella Deep Talkin' ROUND Wounds. Nickels sound "rubbery" on the Warwicks and Traditional S/S can be clanky. These DTB Rounds are woody and bassy, but have just enough sweetness in the top. The new version or Hard Rockin' Steels (Now just called Stainless Steel Series) are also amazing strings, but may be too punchy and less "woody' on a W.Wick.
Sadowsky strings sound great. Did you try his S/S on the Warwick? They work great on the heavier Bubinga/Ovangkol/Wenge wood combos.
I haven't but I've thought of it. I guess I have to now! I got started on Sadowski strings mostly due to the price and tapered B string and fell in love.
SadowskY. With a Y! Sorry, that just drives me nuts when people do that. As does 'Dunlap' strings, and 'Spertzel' tuners.
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