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StingRay5 String Guidance Needed

B

bassmatt4792

Apr 2, 2012
183
38
Oswego, New York
#1
Hello all,
I'll preface by saying I've read and searched TalkBass (and the rest of the internet) for months, and have yet to find an answer (or, at least, a direction) on an issue I'm having.

I purchased an EBMM SR5HH about 2 years ago. It's a dream bass. I've played a bunch. but was looking for a certain color and found one on eBay for a good price. Obviously sight unseen.

I love the thing to death. Sound, feel, look, everything.

My only qualm is that I have a killer dead note: C. G string- 5th fret, and D string- 10th fret. They die right out. On top of this, I don't feel like my G string notes 'sing' much. They seem to pluck and decay rather quickly. The other strings have always felt a little stiff to me as well- as opposed to other basses with .45/.65/.85/.105(plus maybe a .125 or .130)

I've tried a bunch of strings- Slinkys, Cobalt Slinkys, Fatbeams, Hibeams, Sunbeams. They all seem to have a dull sounding G.

I was playing my Jazz Bass Special, which has .40 Rotosound SwingBass66s on it, AND its tuned to Eb. I noticed that I love the feel of those strings. Lighter gauge, plus being downtuned...notes just sing more.

With all that said...yes, I realize my plucking hand is in a different location on an SR than on a P, or my JBS. Yes, I know a dead spot is virtually unfixable. The SR just seems to have a hard time resonating, which is very apparent unplugged as well.

I'm looking for recommendations on a set of strings that:
-are easier to play
-'sing' or sustain more
-don't affect the deadspots in a negative way
-B string isn't annoyingly floppy

I've looked into these 'balanced tension' sets and they intrigue me. I was considering the GHS balanced nickel set, and I was leaning towards the .40 set. I was also looking into Circle K custom sets, and making a balanced set. I think what I'm looking for is a smooth, loose G and D, and a tighter A, E, and B.

This bass mainly sees country, pop, and soft rock. Nothing tonally aggressive, really.

Any input is GREATLY appreciated!
 
#2
I’ve used and will always use Ernie Ball Power Slinkies. They play fine and sound fine, all 5 strings.

And they are cheap enough to try and not too hard to find. And you aren’t out much if you don’t like them.
 
#3
Geri O said:
I’ve used and will always use Ernie Ball Power Slinkies. They play fine and sound fine, all 5 strings.

And they are cheap enough to try and not too hard to find. And you aren’t out much if you don’t like them.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response. When I search for Power Slinkies, all I'm seeing are .50-.135. Is that what your're playing? I've never played a set that heavy. Are they stiffer than .45-.125/.130? That kinda worries me.
 
#4
D’Addario XLs were my strings of choice for a long time. Last 2 years I went string crazy trying lots of brands. Fodera Nickel Light Mediums are my jam now.

As far as the G... make sure all the screws and bolts all over the bass are nice and tight. They can come loose and cause things the resonate strangely.
 
#5
Element Zero said:
D’Addario XLs were my strings of choice for a long time. Last 2 years I went string crazy trying lots of brands. Fodera Nickel Light Mediums are my jam now.

As far as the G... make sure all the screws and bolts all over the bass are nice and tight. They can come loose and cause things the resonate strangely.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input. I'm definitely leaning toward a light-medium gauge. I've probably checked every screw on this thing once a week for the past two years.

Something I've noticed is that the open G has a little bit of buzz after about a second. I plan on taking it to a luthier this summer to have the nut checked out. The nut doesn't matter anymore once a note is fretted, though.
 
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