Which strings do I need?

LetsPlayCool

LetsPlayCool

Sep 19, 2016
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Berlin
#1
I'm a Grunge-Punk-Rock bassist and I enjoy a fat, solid sound coming from my strings. Additionally I like my strings to be played comfortably. Currently I am using the Elixir Nanoweb Steel (before I had nickel) on my Fender Squire P Bass (Mike Dirnt Custom). After roughly a year using them, some strings tear apart and I will buy new ones soon. Got any recommendations for other strings? I really liked those strings but I wanna know if there are better strings for me. The price should also be 20-50€.

Thanks! :)
 
#3
BigBenH18 said:
Some questions:

1. How do you play? Pick, fingers?
I play with fingers only. Even though I rarely do it live, I also really enjoy slapping (Claypool fanboy).

2. What gauge strings are you using now?
045-065-085-105
(I think I got those: Elixir 14677 Stainless Steel L/M Bass)

3. Do you want a stiff or flexible string?
Not sure yet - However, I prefer flexible strings probably

4. Do you want zingy/clanky or rather smooth highs?
Click to expand...
I got no comparison. I haven't reached that far in the matter yet :]
 
#4
LetsPlayCool said:
I got no comparison. I haven't reached that far in the matter yet :]
Click to expand...
Fair enough. But you could at least say if you play with pick or fingers or both, and if you prefer a clanky Geddy Lee or Chris Squire sound or a more traditional fat motown sound or something in between. Plus how long do you like to keep your strings. Some go dead in a few days and others can last a long time.
 
#7
I like Dean Markley Blue Steels. They last a long time, got some clank, and a fairly meaty bottom. Plus they are inexpensive. For a flatwound the Ernie Ball Cobalts can get clanky. At least they are the clankiest flat I've tried. On my Rickenbacker set with low action they could clank and growl as well as a lot of rounds. It will fade some after a month or two.
 
#11
Agree with @waynobass that Fat Beams would be a good choice. Since they have a round core they are quite flexible. If you want a stiffer string I would look for hex core. One has to know that the Fat Beams sound quite unique for a stainless steel roundwound string. So if they are not your cup of tea I would recommend to rather go for nickel roundwounds on a hex core than stainless steels on hex core. Stainless steel will probably not deliver that fat bottom end you're looking for. Good choices for nickel roundwounds on a hex core would be:
D'Addario EXL (great price)
DR Nickel Lo Riders (expensive but great quality and sound)
R. Cocco Nickels (handmade like DR but a little cheaper, Geheimtipp ;-)

If you like to experiment I would even recommend GHS Pressurewounds. They are pretty unique in that they are not nickel plated or stainless steel but a combination of both. GHS calls it Alloy 52. And the outer winding is not regular roundwound but pressurewound meaning the winding is compressed into an oval shape. That takes away the uber brightness of roundwounds and gives a very fat, punchy and round bottom end. They also have rich midrange content which makes them cut through the mix very nicely.
 
#13
BigBenH18 said:
If you like to experiment I would even recommend GHS Pressurewounds. They are pretty unique in that they are not nickel plated or stainless steel but a combination of both. GHS calls it Alloy 52. And the outer winding is not regular roundwound but pressurewound meaning the winding is compressed into an oval shape. That takes away the uber brightness of roundwounds and gives a very fat, punchy and round bottom end. They also have rich midrange content which makes them cut through the mix very nicely.
Click to expand...

^^^THIS^^^

I recently replaced my La Bella flats with a set of PWs on my P and I couldn't be happier. Instead of just thick thump, I now get extra punch and crunch that cut through better without the typical zing of rounds.

It's also true there is something unique about Alloy 52 (nickel-iron alloy); it's magnetically more active than the standard SS/NPS, meaning it's dynamically more responsive with higher output.
 
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#15
Any comfortable playing string, like most DRs, Foderas, Kaliums, and well a bunch of others. As long as they are easy to play!
The amp will probably be the more driving factor for the sound you are looking for. You can get a nice clanky sound out of most any string really, it's just, let's say, harder on most let's say traditional tape-wounds and flats, sometimes.
My favourite for a really clanky fat sound is a bright steel flat, like Fender flats or maybe Chromes if you like chromes, I don't for some reason. I haven't tried the new Dunlops or Ernie Ball Cobalt flats but those seem pretty sweet for that kind of tone too.
I guess most people would disagree with me though due to some broad misconception that flats are dull-sounding and not capable of being bright or clanky.
I hope you find a comfortable string to play! Try out as many basses and strings as you can at shops and at friends places so you get an idea of different sounds.
 
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#19
None of those other strings will last as long as elixirs, they may be brighter at first, but that does not last long. In a month you will be crying for the elixirs, if you even get a month out of them.

I just wish they made a 115 set.
 
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