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Strings for mid-shy bass

DrPieZon

DrPieZon

Nov 16, 2007
115
83
Nashua, NH
#1
I'm looking for new strings for my Zon Sonus Custom 4 string fretted bass (dual Bart Humbuckers). This bass has a built in mid-scoop that I am trying to minimize/over come. My Lakland HoBo with flats has a certain mid-punch that really works in the live band setting, where as the Zon has deep bass and nice highs with sustain, but lacks that mid punch to cut through in a live setting.

Any recomendation for strings that might help bring out a tighter mid-punch on this bass? I'd like to stay with rounds because I do like the sustain and brighter finger funk and slap/pop with this bass.

Thanks for any help,

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#7
Right now I'm leaning toward the Nickel Low-Riders. I've used DR Sunbeams a few years ago on a fretless bass. They were nice in that setup, though I remember them being a bit loose feeling. I'm also not sure they'd take a spanking.

How is the tension of the TI superalloys? I know their flats have a reputation of being very low tension.

Thanks for the recommendations.
 
#13
Hey now,

While I haven't tried the fatbeams I have tried the DR Nickel Lo-riders and the Sunbeams.

Are far as mid range I'd say the Sunbeams have more mid focus ( a lot more) to my ears than the Lo-riders. The Lo-riders have a much deeper low end however.

Id say the Sunbeams are more warm and punchy whereas the Lo-riders are darker and more snarly if that makes sense.
 
#16
ljazz said:
I've got to tell you, I've never had luck trying to make up for lacking mids with strings..... it always ends up worse than it started.
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Well, trying strings is a lot cheaper than the alternative! Is your opinion that the bass sounds the way the bass sounds, or could different pickups and/or pre-amp be the right move? I'm not sure I'm daring enough to go that direction because it would kill me to spend that kind of money and not get the desired results! I do love this bass, but I'm having trouble finding the the tone I am after.
 
#17
With the exception of going from flats to rounds, the character of your bass doesn't really change with different strings. For example.... My L2000, to me, sounds like crap with SS Loriders. It sounds a bit boomy on the bottom, and the highs sound just a bit "compressed"...... Throw TISA's on it, and all of a sudden the boom is gone, and the highs open up...... but it still sounds like an L2000. If the mids aren't there to begin with, then strings are going to do a real good job of adding them. To me, strings accentuate, and / or downplay certain aspects of the character, but I don't have much luck in using them to put something in there that wasn't there to begin with..... especially mids. I really don't know enough about your bass to say what I'd do.

Ljazz
 

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