What are the best strings for me?

[BassOliverB]

I am just wondering what my next pair of strings should be.

I like a punchy tone with a lot of growl.
(I love growl!)

Now I have a pair of GHS Bass Boomers 40-100 (which was supposed to be 45-105).

I really don't know what my next pair of strings should be.

Thanks!
BassOliverB

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

How would you describe the feel / tone of the current Boomers you have on your bass now?

What kind of bass?

What would you like different from what you currently have?

 

[tylerwylie]

Growl can mean so many things.

 

[JimmyM]

Who the heck knows? I could love a set of strings and you could hate them.

 

[Ian_Flash]

Different players have have different interpretations of "Growl". Do you have an example of something recorded that defines it to your ear?

 

[Veldar]

From that amazing description I'd say get a set of DR's!

 

[Douger]

Or a Big Muff distortion box

 

[BassOliverB]

How would you describe the feel / tone of the current Boomers you have on your bass now?

What kind of bass?

What would you like different from what you currently have?

I really love the Growl that Flea makes, (especially when Red Hot Chili Peppers plays the song Charlie live in 2006-2007, when Flea had gone back to Modulus) but a big part of the growl he gets comes from the Modulus bass. Luckily, I have just ordered one!

I have a Sterling by Musicman Ray 34.
There is a nice tiny little growl when I play soft on the E string. But these are nice strings, and I think I will try the Bass Boomers 45-105. But will that make any difference?

Also, what is the difference between strings that are thin and thick?

BassOliverB

 

[hotbass57]

Why not get Flea's signature GHS bass strings. Try 'em I would talk with Jason at bassstringsonline. He's the string guru.

 

[Means2nEnd]

DR HBs or Pro Steels they work for me

I just like to think of strings like wine with food. There are many great wines but they all don't go with the same foods. I have found my basses to work better with different strings even though I'm trying to get the same sort of tone direction for the most part. Trial and error..

 

[BassOliverB]

Why not get Flea's signature GHS bass strings. Try 'em I would talk with Jason at bassstringsonline. He's the string guru.

I have just heard that these signature set strings will only last for one or two gigs. If they last for months, I would try them.

 

[Yango]

I love these threads...

 

[maturanesa]

first define "growl"...

 

[Bob Gross]

Just try different sets until you find what you like. I use the GHS like the ones you have but that's just me.

 

[Kenzy]

With your description, I would recommend D'Addario Prosteels. They're exceptionally bright, and quite punchy. I string my Deluxe American Jazz Special with them and get exciting high end and growl!

 

[Jim Carr]

I use Sadowsky, DR, Ken Smith, Lakland, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Obligato, and Fender. I have used lot's of others, including TI, GHS, RotoSound, LaBella, and Pedulla. Lot's of great strings out there, IME. It is a journey finding what works. Doesn't hurt to be willing to try something different.

Asking for advice is fine, but you will eventually just have to try things for yourself.

 

[bassistjoe93]

If you're wanting "growl" it's hard to beat a fresh set of Dean Markley SR2000's. I use them and really like them!

 

[RBX4]

Fender nickel rounds!

 

[Bassic Playing]

Roto stainless steels have a nice growl when you dig in, to my ears. They last ages too. I think stainless steel strings are what you're looking for. Best thing to do is try some out. Bass Strings Online is the place to go IMO (and most of TB it appears. Jason is great).

Flea's growl also comes, to a large extent, from his intense plucking action. He really hammers it. I think he'd probably growl with tapewounds and a Rob Allen tbh. Flea is Flea, and his technique is pretty unique.

 

[BassOliverB]

first define "growl"...

Go to YouTube, search for: Red hot chili peppers by the way live earth, choose the first video that shows up. Then jump to about 0:46. Make sure that you wear good quality headphones, and then listen to the beast of sound!