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What kind of strings do you use?

Preferred String Type

  • Roundwounds

    Votes: 5,505 69.2%
  • Flatwounds

    Votes: 1,868 23.5%
  • Nylons

    Votes: 142 1.8%
  • Compression, 1/2, groundwound (either or)

    Votes: 258 3.2%
  • Other

    Votes: 178 2.2%

  • Total voters
    7,951
what kind of strings would you guys sugest for my Warwick Corvette frettless concidering this info:
i want more "frettless buzz" sound, especially on the lower range.
i want sort of a warm "old school" sound
if all else is equal i would chose a Flat set (save my finger board, and less string noise)

ok, now what are the suggestions (make, model, aproxamate sizes, rownd, flat, half, or nylon, (anything to get me started), and why.
and feel free to ask me any more aditional info that you think would be helpful.

thanks
 
I just dropped a set of Sadowsky Bright Nickel 45-105 on my 1975 Ibanez Black Eagle. Sounds good unplugged but since thats my grind bass that I use when I want to get a good classic distortion sound we'll see how I feel once Ill crank it up later today.

I doubt the rest of the guys in my dorm would apreciate the wake up call right now.
 
Treena Foster said:
Maybe that will explain some of the differences for you!



Link Removed
Treena
Thank you Treena for this quote, a good sum-up I think, and that helps me.


:help: Also, since many people like DR's, I think I have to try them. Are the nickel Lo-Rider and Sunbeam roundwound or flat wound? I ask because on their website they mention fretless bass for those.
Ok, that's very basic question, but I haven't changed strings on my basses yet.. :eyebrow: Can somebody help? Thx.
 
HotRoded said:
Thank you Treena for this quote, a good sum-up I think, and that helps me.


:help: Also, since many people like DR's, I think I have to try them. Are the nickel Lo-Rider and Sunbeam roundwound or flat wound? I ask because on their website they mention fretless bass for those.
Ok, that's very basic question, but I haven't changed strings on my basses yet.. :eyebrow: Can somebody help? Thx.

Sunbeams and Nickel Lo-Riders are Roundwound, but both happen to play nicely on a fretless. They are a great string to use, I'm currently using Sunbeams on my Precision. Sunbeams will give you a fairly bright sound, but because of their nickel coating, they'll be easy on your fingers and frets. They also have a round core, which improves flexibility in the string.

The Nickel Lo-Riders have a more mid-ish low end sound IME. They are noticibly more stiff. This is because of their hex-core which reduces flexibility. These strings are great for tapping and slapping. Like the Sunbeams, they're also easy on your fingers and frets. Both strings last a long, long time.

I would suggest that you try the Sunbeams, I'm sure you'll be happy with them. I hope this helps, if there are any other questions feel free to ask. :)

Peace,
Graeme :bassist:
 
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Graeme,

Thanks very much for you comments and explanations.

From what I have read in different threads and also what you say, Nickel Lo-Riders are more for mid / low end which is more apppealing to me soundwise, but you also say they are good for slapping. I would have thought Sunbeams which tend to be more bright are better for that.

I never slap, always fingerpick. And they will also go on my Fender Precision. May I also ask how they compare to the Fender strings if you remember ? (both my Precision and Jazz are still equiped with the original Fender strings)

Thanks again.
Terry
 
I don't stick to one brand so much, as the type and thickness.
Currently:

main 4 - Rotosound stainless rounds, 90. Bright aggressive
tone, fast, easy to bend

5 - DR nickle taper core rounds (forget the actual name)
130. Extra thick strings for detuning.

fretless - D'Addario half wounds, 95, compromise of the
roundwound tone and easier-on-fingerboard flats.
used to use Fender tape wounds, they were the
only tape strings available thinner than my fingers,
but they sounded pretty dead.

12 string - Rotosound stainless rounds, 85, La Bella Piccolo
strings for the octaves. Thinnest strings I could
find that work OK in standard tuning. Bass came
strung with enormous cables, neck was bowed like...
well, like a bow. Now I can play it.

Whatever bass I'm playing at the time is my favorite. Except
for the 5. It's junk. But it looks cool. As for its tone, well,
... it looks cool.
 
Hot Roded,

No problem, glad to be of service :cool:

The Nickel Lo-Riders IMO are the better string over Fender. The Lo-Riders will last a lot longer, and from what i remember the Fenders were harder on my fingers. I just felt the Lo-Riders had a overall better tone than the Fenders. Hmm, it's hard to describe, but I really think you will like the Lo-Riders. Especially if you like that mid-low tone. :)

Peace,
Graeme :bassist: