String recommendation for an Ibanez SR650

[michael_t]

So, I am very interested in hearing your responses. Agree with him? Anyone use Flats on an Ibanez SR650 or and SR for that matter?

Obviously your tech hasn't heard of the GHS Pressurewounds?

I've tried the Chromes ECB81 (45-100) and I found the 45G and 65G a bit too stiff. In terms of their overall tension (as in pulling weight), they're about 20 lbs. heavier than the Elixir 45-105. (200 lbs. vs. 180 lbs.)

I like the Pressurewounds because they provide plenty of the roundwound tone (something I need) but with a much smoother surface texture with reduced finger noise. The ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) is very nicely balanced across all four strings both in tension and tone and a lot more comfortable to play on than the Chromes Flats.

EDIT: If you want to try the Chromes Flats, go with the ECB84 set, 40-60-80-100, which are closer in both tension and stiffness to the Elixir 45-105.

 

[Aidil]

D'Addario Chromes are nice. I've almost always kept a bass strung with the Chromes ever since I first used them about 4~5 years ago. I started with most common Chromes ECB81 45-100 (with 132 low-B & 32 high-C since it was on a 6 string bass). Then I had a couple more of same gauge but on 5ers.

As mentioned by @michael_t, the Chromes ECB81 45-100 are stiff, despite titled Regular Light Gauge. It's the reason now I've settled with a custom gauge set of Chromes 40-55-75-95-132 (which was built from ECB80 set). The suggested ECB84 40-100 set might also suits you better than the ECB81 45-100 set.

The Pressurewound is another story...

 

[Dean Sass]

He at first suggested a medium set of chromes but because of the thin neck of the Ibby SR thought that the regular light Chromes would suit this particular bass better.

He did not discuss The GHS strings with me. But going along with the techs logic for a moment, it would suggest that the GHS would be an even better choice for the small neck of the Ibby. In terms of tension for my playing style I would prefer a set that has a similar tension to the Elixir Nano .45-.105 as michael_t mentioned is 182 lbs with standard tuning.

D'Addario Chromes are nice. I've almost always kept a bass strung with the Chromes ever since I first used them about 4~5 years ago. I started with most common Chromes ECB81 45-100 (with 132 low-B & 32 high-C since it was on a 6 string bass). Then I had a couple more of same gauge but on 5ers.

As mentioned by @michael_t, the Chromes ECB81 45-100 are stiff, despite titled Regular Light Gauge. It's the reason now I've settled with a custom gauge set of Chromes 40-55-75-95-132 (which was built from ECB80 set). The suggested ECB84 40-100 set might also suits you better than the ECB81 45-100 set.

The Pressurewound is another story...

I see what you both are suggesting about ECB81 Chrome strings being too stiff, rather 20lbs. more overall increased string tension from my current Elixir Nano .45 -.105 which has 182lbs of overall string tension as micheal_t mentioned. Going with a set of ECB84 .40 -.100 Chromes seems a perfect swap in regards to string tension.

Then there is the alternative of going with pressure wounds. If I am reading the GHS charts correctly the ML7200 would have 169.3 lbs of overall strings tension. While the M7200 would have 187.1lbs of string tension. So, do I go with 5.1lbs higher of 12.7lbs less string tension are my choices. At first glance, it would seem the M7200 would be the logical choice between those two. Are there factors that I am not considering? I wonder if string tensions rise or fall as strings age?

And we have the argument of Chromes (flats) vs. GHS pressure wounds (half rounds). Why would I choose one over the other? Advantages and disadvantages of each?

 

[michael_t]

Then there is the alternative of going with pressure wounds. If I am reading the GHS charts correctly the ML7200 would have 169.3 lbs of overall strings tension. While the M7200 would have 187.1lbs of string tension. So, do I go with 5.1lbs higher of 12.7lbs less string tension are my choices. At first glance, it would seem the M7200 would be the logical choice between those two. Are there factors that I am not considering? I wonder if string tensions rise or fall as strings age?

There is "tension" (as in pulling weight) and there is "stiffness" (as in playing feel). The PW ML7200 is less than the Elixir 45-105 in term of total tension (182 vs. 169), but the PWs are naturally slightly stiffer-feeling than typical rounds of similar sizes, so the ML7200 is actually closer to the Elixir in overall playing feel (ie stiffness).

And we have the argument of Chromes (flats) vs. GHS pressure wounds (half rounds). Why would I choose one over the other? Advantages and disadvantages of each?

First, GHS Pressurewounds are NOT "half-rounds" as such; they're what they call "rollerwound", where the round wire is compressed into an oval shape, resulting in a smoother surface texture without giving up too much of the roundwound tonal character.

The Chromes Flats are at the brighter end of the flatwound tonal spectrum.
The Pressurewounds are at the mellower end of the roundwound tonal spectrum (= semi-rounds).

Which works better will depend on one's tonal preferences.

 

[Dean Sass]

He at first suggested a medium set of chromes but because of the thin neck of the Ibby SR thought that the regular light Chromes would suit this particular bass better.

He did not discuss The GHS strings with me. But going along with the techs logic for a moment, it would suggest that the GHS would be an even better choice for the small neck of the Ibby. In terms of tension for my playing style I would prefer a set that has a similar tension to the Elixir Nano .45-.105 as michael_t mentioned is 182 lbs with standard tuning.


I see what you both are suggesting about ECB81 Chrome strings being too stiff, rather 20lbs. more overall increased string tension from my current Elixir Nano .45 -.105 which has 182lbs of overall string tension as micheal_t mentioned. Going with a set of ECB84 .40 -.100 Chromes seems a perfect swap in regards to string tension.

Then there is the alternative of going with pressure wounds. If I am reading the GHS charts correctly the ML7200 would have 169.3 lbs of overall strings tension. While the M7200 would have 187.1lbs of string tension. So, do I go with 5.1lbs higher of 12.7lbs less string tension are my choices. At first glance, it would seem the M7200 would be the logical choice between those two. Are there factors that I am not considering? I wonder if string tensions rise or fall as strings age?

And we have the argument of Chromes (flats) vs. GHS pressure wounds (half rounds). Why would I choose one over the other? Advantages and disadvantages of each?

After hours of research and debate, I decided to give the GHS pressure wounds a try. I just ordered the
ML7200 set.

I might add that after going to the various string manufacturers web sites I was impressed with the amount of information that GHS provides. Some manufacturers do not provide specific string tensions which I find a bit odd. A heads up to both GHS and D'Addario and Elixir for providing that information.

Thanks for your input everyone, the knowledge and insight that you provide was extremely useful!

 

[Aidil]

He at first suggested a medium set of chromes but because of the thin neck of the Ibby SR thought that the regular light Chromes would suit this particular bass better.

He did not discuss The GHS strings with me. But going along with the techs logic for a moment, it would suggest that the GHS would be an even better choice for the small neck of the Ibby. In terms of tension for my playing style I would prefer a set that has a similar tension to the Elixir Nano .45-.105 as michael_t mentioned is 182 lbs with standard tuning.


I see what you both are suggesting about ECB81 Chrome strings being too stiff, rather 20lbs. more overall increased string tension from my current Elixir Nano .45 -.105 which has 182lbs of overall string tension as micheal_t mentioned. Going with a set of ECB84 .40 -.100 Chromes seems a perfect swap in regards to string tension.

Then there is the alternative of going with pressure wounds. If I am reading the GHS charts correctly the ML7200 would have 169.3 lbs of overall strings tension. While the M7200 would have 187.1lbs of string tension. So, do I go with 5.1lbs higher of 12.7lbs less string tension are my choices. At first glance, it would seem the M7200 would be the logical choice between those two. Are there factors that I am not considering? I wonder if string tensions rise or fall as strings age?

And we have the argument of Chromes (flats) vs. GHS pressure wounds (half rounds). Why would I choose one over the other? Advantages and disadvantages of each?

Of course it would be wise to choose replacement string set which tension isn't too far from stocks. But I wouldn't be worried too much about the thin neck thing... It's the reason manufacturers put in a truss rod or two inside the neck, which helps to counterforce the string pulls of most available string sets in the market.

Why michael_t and I addressed the stiffness thing is because it's our fingers which have to dealt with it. Our finger muscles aren't going to have the same strength all times to counter the stiffness of any put on string set just to fret the notes.

I felt the stiffness of ECB81 bothered me when I switched basses from the one that had Elixir NPS Nanos 45-105 on. But then, after using the customized ECB80 set, I still feel the stiffness are little bit higher than what I currently like now that I've switched to Dunlop Super Brights as my main preferred string choice (I still keep a bass with Elixir NPS Nanos on though).

After hours of research and debate, I decided to give the GHS pressure wounds a try. I just ordered the
ML7200 set.

I might add that after going to the various string manufacturers web sites I was impressed with the amount of information that GHS provides. Some manufacturers do not provide specific string tensions which I find a bit odd. A heads up to both GHS and D'Addario and Elixir for providing that information.

Thanks for your input everyone, the knowledge and insight that you provide was extremely useful!

Regarding the Pressurewounds, I've used all the available sets. I began with the L7200 set. I chose the Light gauge set cause I was using it on a 7 string bass with PWB128 low-B, PWB28 high-C, and a plain high-F string from other company. Again, it wasn't about the neck. It has 9 laminated woods and two truss rods inside. I didn't want to have to use such high strength just to fret notes on a wide 7 string bass fretboard, especially when fretting lots of notes at once when playing chords.

But still, as I was still using Elixir 45-105 (+130 low-B) on my main bass, I switched the 4 center Pressurewounds on my 7er to the M7200 set, cause I had wanted to set the string action lower than what it could possibly have with the L7200 set, which didn't last long either, cause I felt the stiffness was too much for my kind of liking as the strings on a 7 string bass. Then I switched to the ML7200, which stayed until quite sometimes.

I currently don't have any bass with the Pressurewound on, but...

I do have an acoustic electric bass guitar with the GHS Pressurewound Bronze strings on. It's currently my favorite for this kind of bass.

 

[Dean Sass]

I have played 30-35 hours with my Ibanez SR650 using the GHS ML7200 Pressurewound strings. I am impressed with their upper-end expression, as well as the warm/mellow bottom tone. While still being able to produce growl when needed. Bends take less physical effort from my fingers, which in turn has improved my overall playing quality. My sound tech likes them too, as he doesn't have to deal with string noise as he did when I previously used round wounds.

By the way after installing them, I tuned the bass and played. I did not stretch them. They stay in tune.

I have tried very hard not to like these strings but the fact is I just ordered a set for my other Ibanez, an SR1200 premium.

It will be interesting to see how they sound with 200 hours of play on them.