Hi, since i'm new to 6 string bass , i have absolutely no idea what strings i should buy. right now i have elixir strings... check out the link in my signature for a small video i recorded
On my six string bass I have a set of half-rounds. Here are my thoughts: There is only one string type that offers bassy smoothness and cleanliness while at the same time, when at a very low action, does not buzz but yet can yeild a beautiful contemporary slap tone. Let me put it this way, the strings I had experimented with before half-rounds were DR low beams (steel roundwounds, medium gauge). They are very nice strings, with great bite, but considering the fact that I can lower my half-rounds much lower than I could lower my DRs without buzz, I could get a similar, but also more controlled bite out of them. And they are supposed to be the hybrid of flats and rounds. Also, a low action helps with tapping. That's my bias/2cents.
People can tell you their opinions about strings all day long, but the fact is that the strings I like you may hate, and the strings I hate you may like. You just have to try different sets and once you find one you like, stick with it.
While you should also look at other strings too, I'll oblige you. You can go to D'Addario www.daddario.com and look under bass, then strings, then half-rounds. From there you can look for dealers in your area that carry them, or more likely, will be willing to order some for you.
I dont mean to jack this thread but... Who makes a Six string set with these Guages... .120 .100 .80 .60 .40 .20 Anyone?
you'll most likely have to order individuals, or at least a 4 string set with a single .120 and .20 My fretless 6 is wearing SIT Rock Brights Stainless (.030 .045 .065 .080 .100 .125) currently. I've used SIT powerflats and D'Addario Half-Rounds on it as well. Once I get my new one I'm gonna try some TI jazz flats and some D'Addario chromes on this one before choosing which will be the long haul flat string for it.... the new one will wear the SIT Rock Brights Stainless. I think they are my new favorite (D'Addario Pro Steels are a real close second though!!)
I am just telling you what I happen to like on my bass, which happens to have six strings. I don't think there is any real answer to this question besides 'What strings are good for any bass?' But... You really should experiment. I've heard good things about prosteels, and that's one I haven't tried yet. If you are asking because you can't find any in any music store, then I suggest you either use an online catalog, or you find the website of the string manufacturer, select the strings you want, and get a list of stores in your area that either have in stock, or more likely, will have to order it for you.
I play Carvin's brand of Labella on my TRB6 - I really like 'em! Very happy with the string tensions, B string clarity and price! I've got D'addarios on my fretless 6, they're ok but frankly I think I prefer the Carvins.
I just bought a 6 string set of D'addarios Pro Steels from http://www.juststrings.com/. They arrived in just a couple of days (actually, they arrived yesterday. lol). This is the first new set I've bought for this bass (Ibanez SR-506). It had Elixer Nanoweb strings on it stock, but I really didn't like them. The coating fell apart rather quickly and as soon as it did, they immediately lost their tone. I bought the Pro Steels mostly on the basis of some recommendations I've read here and from a friend who uses Pro Steels on his 4 string. I've always used Rotosound Swingbass on my 4 string, but decided to try something different for the 6 string. I think I'll probably experiment with different string sets for a while on the 6. Good luck in your search for strings!
Do you have the same problem with the coating falling apart? Just curious. I was practicing a lot of sliding type of stuff for a while and I think it may have contributed to it falling apart so rapidly. The funny thing is that people say if you use a pick, it falls apart where you strike the string. I use a pick a lot, and the area I strike is fine, it's where I fret the strings that they fell apart so quickly. Oh well... lol Good luck!
