string tone :x

[neverender]

I have been playing for a few years and i STILL can't find a set of strings that can produce a tone that i'm totally happy with.. This is kind of a split question actually:

1. Pretty much every set of strings I have had have lost their "decent" sound after like 1/2 weeks and they go to just sounding pretty dull, I wash my hands before I play, and generally reviews of the strings say the quality lasts ages :/ Any little tips to keep strings sounding nice? (I know i should probly search the forum for this one but i thought it throw it in anyway! :smash: )

2. I pretty much stuck to ernie ball slinky 45-105's for a year or two because they were cheap and "ok" (not perfect), but I recently bought a set DR low beams that kinddd of achieved what I was looking for for about a week, then it went :/

The tone I like is kind of a mic todd-esque sound, where the lowend stays crisp and kind of growly but the highend is still punchy, and there's always that kind of ringing to it (I don't think I have explained this very well :D)... Any string recommendations (Just strings, not EQ)?? I was considering buying some high beams but i'm not sure what theyd be like and if theyd last more than a week!

Thx

[Miek]

I don't know how it is with basses, but with guitars, it's really more in the EQ than your strings longeivity, although that will affect it.

[neverender]

my EQ is how I want it, tone changes a fair bit between strings on basses... I'm almost there but not quite!

[Tryxx]

In my opinion, Ernie Ball strings are some of the worst you can buy. I don't dig the tone that much, and they have the worst string life of anything I've played.

I think you did explain what you want decently, and I would suggest you look at Rotosound strings. They have lots of sound clips on their site for each set, so maybe that will help narrow your search.

If you want a set of strings that just refuses to die, you can try Elixers, but I don't think they're the tone you're going for at all.

[Thunder Fingers]

i would say: Optima Gold, very, very good strings, and doesnt die fast.

[neverender]

In my opinion, Ernie Ball strings are some of the worst you can buy. I don't dig the tone that much, and they have the worst string life of anything I've played.

I think you did explain what you want decently, and I would suggest you look at Rotosound strings. They have lots of sound clips on their site for each set, so maybe that will help narrow your search.

If you want a set of strings that just refuses to die, you can try Elixers, but I don't think they're the tone you're going for at all.


cheers :D, that was just the kind of information I was looking for! Kind of considered rotosounds before getting the lo-beams but wasn't 100% sure about them so I didn't try them. As for the elixers I THINK my current bass came with them, they do last long but you're right, it's not quite the right tone (definately not bad sounding strings just not for me). Thx tryxx :)

i would say: Optima Gold, very, very good strings, and doesnt die fast.

Really? I haven't heard of those... will look them up.

ps: The tone is way more important to me than how long they last, the longevity thing was just a moan/mini question :D

[JoeDaddio]

I used Dean Markley Blue Steel's for a while. They seemed to have a decent growl to them, and great highs. They're very punchey and very loud... no mellowness ot these strings at all. They'll also toughen up your fingers really well after a week of playing on them.

I switched to Elixer, not because I enjoy spending $50 on strings, but because I'd rather drop $50 every 6 months or so rather than $20 every month. The tone stays consistant as well. Also, IMO, the tone is a good middle ground. not too bright, not too mellow; a good middle ground. How do you know when to change Elixers? When the coating starts to flake off. You'll be amazed at how long they last.





joe

[neverender]

I also considered the blue steel's! Ended up avoiding them because they endorsed fall out boy :p

I might just try DR hi-beams actually, seeing as many people say the rotosounds are VERY short lasting (and i think i have acidy hands or something so my strings tend to last short compared to most other ppl too) although nice... If I don't like the hi beams maybe i ll give the rotosounds a try, it'd definately be nice to only spend £12 on strings instead of £25 !

[edgebass5]

The reality of it is that any non-coated string will lose its "new string sound" relatively quickly. That being said, coated strings will retain their tone for a long time, but they'll never sound anything like a non-coated string (which to me is superior in every way).

So you're left with a choice: If you want "new string sound" all the time you'll have to restring your bass all the time. If you want coated string sound... then get a set of coated strings...

[neverender]

Yeah, it'd have to be option #1

It takes away a lot of my enjoyment of playing when I don't like the tone strings are giving me, and it'd just be mediocre with coated strings... though noncoated kind of expires at least you get a certain amount of time of reallllly loving playing :D

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I switched to Elixer, not because I enjoy spending $50 on strings, but because I'd rather drop $50 every 6 months or so rather than $20 every month. The tone stays consistant as well. Also, IMO, the tone is a good middle ground. not too bright, not too mellow; a good middle ground. How do you know when to change Elixers? When the coating starts to flake off. You'll be amazed at how long they last.





joe

You really think that Elixirs are a good middle ground? Man, for me, I thought they were ridiculously bright, and I hated the sound of them. To each their own, though. :p

Also, threadstarter, check out some D'Addario XL Nickel Round Wound (Regular Light). I use them all the time, and I love them. The highs maintain some punch, and the bottom end is clear, yet maintains some growl. I don't think the tone wore out too quickly on them, but, even after they wore out some, I still enjoyed the sound that was produced by them.

[Thunder Fingers]

Really? I haven't heard of those... will look them up.

ps: The tone is way more important to me than how long they last, the longevity thing was just a moan/mini question :D

They have a great tone, at low volume they might give you a little finger noise, but that dissapear once you go live or at band practice.

For instance John Entwistle used them from around 1989 to his death.(i guess hes the most famous user..) if your in USA they are rediclously expensive, here in Europe they are around average, a little more than Rotosounds, but cheaper than DR.

I must admit i tried Elixirs, and used them for 4 - 5 months or so, and they sounded good, but i hated the feel.. same with Dean Markley blue steel, just that i didnt let them stay on the bass so long.
I have been most pleased with:
Labella Hard Rockin steel
Rotosound Swing and Jazz(realy like the Jazz ones on Jazz basses, had great sound going on my Geddy)
Optima gold

[kilian]

It's all personal. For example: I really dislike the D'addario XL's. I'm a DR fan myself now, Nickel Lo-riders to be specific. I can't find the low-end and the growl from those strings in any other set, so I'm stuck with them :thumb:

It took me a few years to discover that, yes.

[JoeDaddio]

You really think that Elixirs are a good middle ground? Man, for me, I thought they were ridiculously bright, and I hated the sound of them. To each their own, though. :p


Give their Polyweb strings a shot :thumb:

And if you wan't rediculously bright, give Blue Steels a try :p




joe

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Give their Polyweb strings a shot :thumb:

And if you wan't rediculously bright, give Blue Steels a try :p




joe

I shall stick with my D'Addario's, thanks. :p

[Rawb]

I've just tried out some DRs (tapered long neck), and they seem like a hell of a lot better than the D'addrio's. For me, they seem like they react very well to my natural dynamics of the way I funger, pick, mute, slap, tap, etc. ...for me at least.

Also blue steel's are pretty sweet. The LTs (.100-.45) were very nice.

[funkyhoney]

@ TS, go for some GHS bass boomers or D'addario ProSteels, the prosteels last longer but the boomers will give you the tone you're looking for IMO

[FunkMetalBass]

In my opinion, Ernie Ball strings are some of the worst you can buy. I don't dig the tone that much, and they have the worst string life of anything I've played.

I think you did explain what you want decently, and I would suggest you look at Rotosound strings. They have lots of sound clips on their site for each set, so maybe that will help narrow your search.

If you want a set of strings that just refuses to die, you can try Elixers, but I don't think they're the tone you're going for at all.

:upset:

Ernie Ball = My Favorite String tone-wise
Elixir = My Favorite String for tapping and melodic writing.

[bassmancrv]

sorry kinda off topic, but anyone know what song that is on the rotosound website??

its really cool, if anyone can give me any info on it that would be great, tabs would be even better :thumb:

http://www.rotosound.com/

^ for those of you who dont know what im talking about

[Jimbobntnr]

sorry kinda off topic, but anyone know what song that is on the rotosound website??

its really cool, if anyone can give me any info on it that would be great, tabs would be even better :thumb:

http://www.rotosound.com/

^ for those of you who dont know what im talking about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8LTMu3dxWo