Was wondering if it's possible to get a Steve Harris tone with stainless steel roundwouds. I use flats right now, and they get me pretty close to that sound. Was wondering if I can do the same with roundwounds.
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Steve Harris Tone with Roundwouds
- Thread starter Bass Boy J
- Start date
Steve actually uses flats. He has his own Rotosound strings which are available to purchase. I was listening to Iron Maiden back when they were starting out and always believed he used rounds and three fingers. 2 and 0 for me!
I know he uses flats I was just wondering if I can use rounds to get his sound
He has a very clanky tone. I don't see why not. Maybe stay away from the really bright strings that I love. I did try Ernie Ball Slinkies recently that weren't bright enough to stay on my bass. DR Sunbeams or Pure Blues?
From what I understand, Steve Harris changes those flats out very frequently, so... yeah, you might get that tone with rounds. I'd be tempted to give some hex core Boomers a try...
Let me see if I can understand this...
Steve Harris uses flats (Rotosound Jazz 77) and you use flats, which gets you close to SH's sound. But you'd rather do the same thing using SS rounds... Why?
Are you actually using the Roto 77 Flats yourself?
I used Rotosound RS66LDs before my Roto 77 flats, and these strings had a really bright tone. The bright tone for me would last up to 6 months. Since Steve changes his flatwound strings frequently so they have that bright tone, Id probably get that bright Steve Harris tone, right?
I sorta doubt it, really. Do you remember how your 77LDs sounded when they were new - before they had a chance to break in and settle? That's probably how Steve Harris' flats sound. If your Roto 66s sound like that, then... yeah, you're set. I'm betting that they're a lot brighter, though. The very brightest flats - when new - are about as bright as some rounds, but they aren't the ones people consider bright. And, RS77 flats aren't counted among the brightest flats, either... I still think you should give the hex core GHS Boomers a try; mainly because I've done the same thing you want to try - but in reverse. I had a Gibson Thunderbird that wore Boomers for a few years; I loved that tone. When the last set started to die, I wanted to replace them with flats - 'cause I really like flats. After a couple of tries, the flats that nailed the Boomer's tone? Roto RS77LDs... I have a short scale, headless Kramer Duke, that also wore GHS Bass Boomers for many years. When they finally died, I decided to replace them with flats, too; but, again, I wanted to keep the tone. After several tries, the flats that come closest - that the Duke could wear - are DR Legends. Why didn't I use RS77s on the Duke? The silk on the ball ends prevented it. Otherwise...? Give the hex core Boomers a try...
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You can get close enough. Who cares if it's an exact duplicate?
- Sep 26, 2005
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I'm currently playing with ex maiden members and I often get comments on how I can get close to his tone.
I use swingbass rs66le 50-110 with a p bass and a couple of pedals.
One specific comment is that I'm asked for more of a Harris clatter when playing- meaning that there should be some fret noise with the tone.
I use swingbass rs66le 50-110 with a p bass and a couple of pedals.
One specific comment is that I'm asked for more of a Harris clatter when playing- meaning that there should be some fret noise with the tone.
Harris plays with heavy flats and a setup that will blow most amps unless you play with his feather light touch. Ever wonder about his incredible stamina? Well, that's the key. If you're banging on those strings like mad, you're not gonna last very long.
Aaanyway, Harris' tone is pretty much the clank and the precision. And with him using fresh flats all the time, might as well use rounds. Get some nickel ones or something. Most of it's in the clank.
Aaanyway, Harris' tone is pretty much the clank and the precision. And with him using fresh flats all the time, might as well use rounds. Get some nickel ones or something. Most of it's in the clank.
