I still recommend Roto's though
I will definitely try them out, as the price is right. But I am specifically looking for input from other MTD owners. Anybody?
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What strings do you use on your MTD USA?
- Thread starter Tony G
- Start date
I will definitely try them out, as the price is right. But I am specifically looking for input from other MTD owners. Anybody?
I like DR Hi-beams best so far. If the normal D'Addario 170s fit then I'd use those, but they don't. Not sure they make an extra long set or not, if they do I'll probably try those next.
I love the MTD string tone initially, but they just don't last very long for me.
I love the MTD string tone initially, but they just don't last very long for me.
Low-riders might be a bit too stiff for me on the MTD. I like low-riders on 34" scale basses though.
Yeah, I'm a little nervous about that as I usually prefer lower tension strings. I haven't played a high tension string in so long I forgot why I didn't like them. I figured Lo-Riders were the best choice for me to see if I wanted to use a higher tension string again.
My two faves are the stock SS MTD 135x's and HiBeams. On the HiBeams, I prefer getting a 4 string (45-105) set and getting a custom 130T B string, but I have used the plain 45-125/130 sets and they also work fine for me. I have not yet tried Longnecks, but will. Those are all (but G) tapered, but also on a hex core. I LOVE them on my 34" scale basses, but may still feel they're too "stiff" on the 35's (just as I do about the LoRiders, which I've also tried... both 125 and 130 on the low end as well).
For nickel (tho I know you want SS, but for reference), I'd go Sunbeam, or D'Addario XL170 (aren't the XL's long enough?), or believe it or not, Peavey Cirrus strings, and yes, they come in six string versions, and yes, they're cheap.
As to the "technique tell", this of course is classic MTD, and all MTD owners have to deal with it, but the results are well worth it, IMHO. I've gained a LOT of articulation and precision since owning MTD basses (note, that's relative, I still suck, I just suck a lot less now
).
For nickel (tho I know you want SS, but for reference), I'd go Sunbeam, or D'Addario XL170 (aren't the XL's long enough?), or believe it or not, Peavey Cirrus strings, and yes, they come in six string versions, and yes, they're cheap.
As to the "technique tell", this of course is classic MTD, and all MTD owners have to deal with it, but the results are well worth it, IMHO. I've gained a LOT of articulation and precision since owning MTD basses (note, that's relative, I still suck, I just suck a lot less now
).
I actually like the non-taper cored B on my MTD. I think it sounds more focused and meaty for some reason.
For nickel (tho I know you want SS, but for reference), I'd go Sunbeam, or D'Addario XL170 (aren't the XL's long enough?), or believe it or not, Peavey Cirrus strings, and yes, they come in six string versions, and yes, they're cheap.
As to the "technique tell", this of course is classic MTD, and all MTD owners have to deal with it, but the results are well worth it, IMHO. I've gained a LOT of articulation and precision since owning MTD basses (note, that's relative, I still suck, I just suck a lot less now
Yeah dude, I took my MTD to the studio after I had it for a week (this was like 8 years ago) Talk about "they tape don't lie." It was ridiculous, I was ready to throw in the towel. I didn't, and it paid off. I have much cleaner technique now, which has let me lower my action substantially on the majority of my basses. Heck, it cracks me up to hear other (like guitar players) try to play my basses heheh. Buzzz buzzz clam clam buzz.. heheh.
Now, the XL170s that I have and used on my Smith don't for for my MTD. I think it was the B that didn't quite reach, the set down in the wrap was in front of the zero fret. Man, my memory isn't all that great, but I'm pretty sure that is what happened.
From the same string type? I went from a 130 to a 130T HiBeam and it seemed to improve things for me. Just that big fat wire over the bridge saddle... that kink just seems to be more polite to string rotation if it's tapered. Admittedly, I haven't A/B'd for a long time, but that's why I'm generally preferring tapered strings these days. That said, I'm not sure it's a huge difference, either.
Well, I just called my string guy and had him switch my order to this custom set:
Hi-Beam Medium Lite MLR-45 (45, 65, 80, 100)
Hi-Beam Hi-C R-30 (30)
Long Necks TR-130 (130)
I've never done a custom set like this before, so I hope it will work out. My thoughts behind this is as I've stated many times before, I prefer the lighter tension of strings like Hi-beams. However, they don't make a set like this with E-C gauges prepacked that I want, so I had to order those seperately. Then I figured that the Lo-B Long Neck, which is a taper core ss string on a hex core will give nice tension on that low b string.
Hi-Beam Medium Lite MLR-45 (45, 65, 80, 100)
Hi-Beam Hi-C R-30 (30)
Long Necks TR-130 (130)
I've never done a custom set like this before, so I hope it will work out. My thoughts behind this is as I've stated many times before, I prefer the lighter tension of strings like Hi-beams. However, they don't make a set like this with E-C gauges prepacked that I want, so I had to order those seperately. Then I figured that the Lo-B Long Neck, which is a taper core ss string on a hex core will give nice tension on that low b string.
+1
LOL!!! I have guitar players tell me my basses play like big guitars... that's funny on several levels!
I THINK I have one set of these left at home... been sittin' a while 'cause I'm off the nickel kick right now, but I could probably try them just to see... it's been a while... maybe I'm cornfuzed...
HOLY CRAP! They're GONE! I SWEAR they used to make them!!
Well, obviously, I've been pretty much sticking to the MTD strings for a while.
Ok, here's the deal... I just got off the phone with DR...
They no longer make sets of any kind with Taper'd B's (but they used to!). They discontinued the tapered HiBeams, 'cause the taper over the round core was just TOO slinky, and maybe even a bit unstable. What they say (actually a lot of) folks are doing now is ordering the 4 string set, and getting a single Longneck tapered for the B. They don't make any sets pre-made like this, but dealers can do a couple things at no extra cost to them... They can call and custom order sets, or they can just order the individual B's and 4 string sets and sell them to you at the normal discounted pricing. DR does not sell direct.
So there you have it.
Currently, all I have in my DR "library" is straight up HiBeam 45-125, LoRider 45-125/130, and Longnecks. I'm going to try the hybrid set soon. I'll get a few from my dealer.
- Jun 24, 2006
- 2,560
- 90
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings; Bergantino Amps & Cabs
My 635-24 fretless is the most amazing instrument I have ever owned. It sounded and played so good right out of the box, I just keep it strung with the fabulous strings Mr. T has made for his basses.
I have a DR string endorsement, and I used to love their stuff on my other basses, esp the Marcus Miller sets on my old Pedulla Hexabuzz (now gone to support my MTD habit) and the Lo-riders in stainless on the fretted Kinal 6 (also gone). Never been fond of nickel - to me, they just sound like a used set of stainless that is just about to go.
+1 on the technique thing with the MTD's; I am practicing more now than I ever have (2-4 hours daily) and it is paying off in spades. Musically, I am in the best shape of my life; this bass just gets better and better the more I play it. The MTD's reward hard work; the other basses I have owned, and I have had some very good ones (I thought), seemed to have a brick-wall limit to them, technically, and I've hit that wall with them. This thing has seemingly no limit, and I at least partially attribute that to the strings, and the perfect, even string tension Mr. T has so magically crafted.
Why mess with greatness.
Cheers,
Cameron
I have a DR string endorsement, and I used to love their stuff on my other basses, esp the Marcus Miller sets on my old Pedulla Hexabuzz (now gone to support my MTD habit) and the Lo-riders in stainless on the fretted Kinal 6 (also gone). Never been fond of nickel - to me, they just sound like a used set of stainless that is just about to go.
+1 on the technique thing with the MTD's; I am practicing more now than I ever have (2-4 hours daily) and it is paying off in spades. Musically, I am in the best shape of my life; this bass just gets better and better the more I play it. The MTD's reward hard work; the other basses I have owned, and I have had some very good ones (I thought), seemed to have a brick-wall limit to them, technically, and I've hit that wall with them. This thing has seemingly no limit, and I at least partially attribute that to the strings, and the perfect, even string tension Mr. T has so magically crafted.
Why mess with greatness.
Cheers,
Cameron
I like the stock MTD strings a lot on MTD's as they have a ton of bite and are extremely tight (which is good and bad). I was so impressed with them that we started using them as the stock strings on the GS5's but we started to get feedback from some players that they were too tight.
In hindsight, I agree. I like them a lot on MTD's and will absolutely continue to use them but they aren't my favorite on the GS5's.
In hindsight, I agree. I like them a lot on MTD's and will absolutely continue to use them but they aren't my favorite on the GS5's.
