String Choice - Changing Genres of Music

[Indy Bass Man]

I have always been a rock/hard rock player seeking the Eddie Jackson (Queensryche) / Frank Bello (Anthrax) tone. I’ve been successful at getting that with active electronics and Jim Dunlop Stainless Steel round wounds. Now I am considering a switch in music genres over to a more modern country in the realm of Jason Aldean / Luke Bryan, etc. I love my Ibanez BTB 845 bass and will be keeping it although perhaps not the instrument of choice for country bass players. 35” scale and active electronics pushing Bartolini pick-ups. My question is what strings will tone down my aggressive sound into more of a warmer country tone? Flats, different round wounds? Any guidance and recommendations are appreciated. Thx

 

[flojob]

I haven't heard a lot of country, but the more modern stuff has been described as "rock light" with a few signature instruments thrown in (dobro, slide guitar, pedal steel). It may be that some tweeks to your eq may be sufficient in the mix. But, you could always try tape wounds or flats. Flats may give you more fundamental/less harmonic overtones, and that may be helpful. I use a set, but it's on a pbass. I think I heard tapes can have a similar feel to regular strings, but a dampened down top end.

 

[Jon Moody]

TBH, many of the country bassists that I work with use stainless steel strings on 35" scale active basses.

If I were you, I'd start tweaking the onboard EQ and your amp first. I'll bet you could find a great modern country tone without much work.

That said, going to a nickel-plated string is gonna give you some more low mids and a slightly beefier tone as well, if you wanted to start looking at other options.

 

[flojob]

Just to add to what this guy said, I did a quick search on aldeans bass player, and it says he uses nickel plated dean markley strings. The pic shows him holding a pbass, but I'd 2nd what he says about eq tweaking.

TBH, many of the country bassists that I work with use stainless steel strings on 35" scale active basses.

If I were you, I'd start tweaking the onboard EQ and your amp first. I'll bet you could find a great modern country tone without much work.

That said, going to a nickel-plated string is gonna give you some more low mids and a slightly beefier tone as well, if you wanted to start looking at other options.

 

[Jon Moody]

Just to add to what this guy said, I did a quick search on aldeans bass player, and it says he uses nickel plated dean markley strings. The pic shows him holding a pbass, but I'd 2nd what he says about eq tweaking.

Yeah, that’s Tully Kennedy (super nice guy, and very active on social media). His main touring basses are Sadowskys.