• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What strings do you use on your MTD USA?

Tony G

Tony G

Supporting Member
Jan 20, 2006
11,210
1,642
#1
I've tried three sets of strings now on my MTD 635-24, and while each have their own nice qualities, none of them really stand out to me saying "this is the set of this bass!"...

The sets I've tried would be the MTD strings (materials?) that come on the bass, TI Jazz Rounds (nickel), and Skjold Custom strings (stainless steel string with the final wrap being nickel). While I found the MTD strings to have a decent sound and feel, I thought that the low b had an almost hollow quality to it. The TI Jazz rounds are wonderfully slick and effortless to play, but I find that the tone of the stings with the wood combos of my bass is too subdued to my liking. The Skjold strings seem to be the best of the three sets for me, with a nice overall balance, feel, and tone. However, I can't help think that due to the mellow tone woods on my bass (spalt/burl maple top, mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard) that I would really like to try an all stainless steel set.

My first choice for stainless steel would be DR Hi-Beams. However, somebody here said it best once that MTDs make you clean up your techinique and make you play better. I've found that even with the nickle strings I've tried on this bass so far, I've noticed that I do need a bit of help cleaing up my technique to get rid of the fret noise I'm noticing.

Due to this, my thoughts are to try stainless steel DR Lo-Riders. They are wound on a hex core and have stiffer feel than the lower tension Hi-Beams. I usually keep my action at medium low, and prefer low tension strings for effortless playing, but I think it is time for a change.

So, my questions are as follows. Do any of you notice this same problem when first moving to a MTD USA bass? What strings do you like most on your bass? Do you think that a higher tenion string such as the Lo-Riders will help eliminate the occasional clanking fret noise I encounter?
 
#2
I liked fat beams best when I had a 535. Very crisp and snappy. Felt the same way as you do about the tone of the MTD strings, and they were very coarse feeling. Hi beams are great too.

As for fret noise/technique ... just keep at it. I wouldn't swap strings to try to control that -- just keep after your hands and it'll fall into place.
 
#3
pickles said:
As for fret noise/technique ... just keep at it. I wouldn't swap strings to try to control that -- just keep after your hands and it'll fall into place.
Click to expand...

This bass definitely showed me some flaws in my technique, but mostly I am just looking for a string that gives me a nice balance of tone and feel without too much fret noise. I have definitely been working on my technique on a daily basis lately, having the Skjold Strings on the bass. My technique problem seems to lie where I try to dig in a bit. I like my action medium/low, and haven't really noticed that much fretnoise on my other basses before. Oh well, I'm sure I'll come around.
 
#5
You might dig sunbeams. I tried quite a few strings on mine and the round core DRs did me right. But I like my action low and easy.

Actually since you like medium action, you could try going with a stiffer string like a Sadowsky, which would also greatly improve the low B. LaBella Hard Rockin Steel is another killer low-B set with a nice thick sound.
 
#6
pickles said:
You might dig sunbeams. I tried quite a few strings on mine and the round core DRs did me right. But I like my action low and easy.

Actually since you like medium action, you could try going with a stiffer string like a Sadowsky, which would also greatly improve the low B. LaBella Hard Rockin Steel is another killer low-B set with a nice thick sound.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but Sunbeams are all nickel aren't they? I'd really like to try some SS strings. I would say that my action is more around the medium/low side, and I usually prefer a nice low tension string for ease of playing. However, I think I might need something with a stiffer feel to see if that helps me control my technique a bit better.

Also, I wasn't aware that I could get Sadowsky strings in 6 string packs. Is this possible?
 
#12
The price is right for those Rotosound Strings. Maybe I will place an order. Can anybody else recommend any strings? I am particularly interested in those that own MTD USA basses.
 
#17
Both of those sets of strings are on my list to try out. I had the super steps on my Skjold Custom 5 just before I got rid of it, and I remember liking the finger style tone very much. Also, the SR2000 strings have always intrigued me. I just haven't got around to trying them yet.
 
#18
Really, your basically going to have to buckle down and spend the cash.
No one is going to be able to tell you, like you can tell yourself how you will like strings. How they interact w/ your fingers, your gear, your ear, tension... ect... there's so many factors.
I'm sure you know this already, but honestly, threads like these are ALMOST useless.

You can get a general feel/direction, but it really comes down to you spending the coin and playing the strings yourself.
 
#19
Modern Growl said:
Really, your basically going to have to buckle down and spend the cash.
No one is going to be able to tell you, like you can tell yourself how you will like strings. How they interact w/ your fingers, your gear, your ear, tension... ect... there's so many factors.
I'm sure you know this already, but honestly, threads like these are ALMOST useless.

You can get a general feel/direction, but it really comes down to you spending the coin and playing the strings yourself.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I agree with everything you've said. I was really just sticking my feelers out there looking to see what other MTD USA owners used. Thanks though.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back