What strings are the brightest sounding?

[d3thl0ck96]

Hey everybody, im sure this question has been asked several times but im just curious, which strings are by far the brightest sounding? Through my experiences buying different brands of strings, i've been really enjoying the sound of Ernie Ball's.
I have also tried D'Addario and I also liked them but other than those brands, what other strings are really bright sounding and punchy?

Thanks!

 

[Ric5]

brand new ones usually.

 

[SolarMan]

brand new ones usually.

Yep.

That said I'm loving the MTD SS Rounds.

 

[SoLongJake]

I've found Dean Markley Blue Steels to be really bright, they're also super long scale and have a medium to long lively period.

 

[eriky4003]

Agree with the Dean Markley Blue Steels. Another bright set of strings with umph would be DR Fat Beams.

 

[d3thl0ck96]

Yeah I have played Blue Steels and I remember loving them, haven't bought them in a while because I have been buying Ernie Ball's... with that being said, I was curious about other brand like DR and Rotosound, different brands like that.
I have also played Boomers and to be honest, I didn't really like them.

 

[PoorePlaysBass]

I've used Blue Steels for a while as well. They don't settle and mellow out quite as much as others, and are very bright new.

 

[socialleper]

I've found Dean Markley Blue Steels to be really bright, they're also super long scale and have a medium to long lively period.

+1 to this. I haven't played them in years, but the Blue Steel strings are pretty damn bright from what I recall. They also had a lot of the steel string "stickiness" that some people talk about.
Rotosound Swing Bass steels are also pretty bright.
I've never tried D'Addario's steels, but considering how bright their nickel wound strings are, I'd be surprised if their steel wounds aren't pretty sharp.
Fodera steels are very bright but in a different way. They are more "musical" or articulate as opposed to glassy, maybe because of the round cores.

 

[PoorePlaysBass]

If you're thinking Rotosound, and wanna talk about bright, it doesn't get much brighter than what Geddy Lee plays. Rotosound 66's would be the way to go there.

 

[d3thl0ck96]

I do love Geddy Lee's tone and im a huge fan of RUSH but i've never tried Rotosouds, that will be my next purchase for strings then. Has anybody tried DR's?

 

[eriky4003]

I had DR Fat Beams on but I was experimenting and have Hi-Beams on currently. Going back to Fat Beams which are like Hi-Beams but PHATTER. Great strings. I believe for my 5-string the Fat Beams are where I'll settle but Blue Steels in a pinch.

 

[Blairb]

I've found Dean Markley Blue Steels to be really bright, they're also super long scale and have a medium to long lively period.

Absolutely.

 

[winterburn69]

RotoSound 66s & Dean Markley Blue Steels. I use both. I used only 66s for about 4 years, I actually prefer the Blue Steels as they're not as rough on the fingers and last much longer than Roto 66s.

I've used Ernie Ball Slinkys and D'Addario XL Pro Steels in the past and neither came even close to the brightness of Rotos or Blue Steels.

Just my opinion of course. Experimenting with different gear is one of the best parts of playing bass.

 

[Jaco Taco]

I do love Geddy Lee's tone and im a huge fan of RUSH but i've never tried Rotosouds, that will be my next purchase for strings then. Has anybody tried DR's?

I don't think you can get a better stainless steel roundwound string than the DR Hi-Beams. I've played them all, and the Hi-Beams just blow me away.