Bass Strings
Bass String-What are you favorite,GHS, Fender, Gibson, Dean Markley, MTD, Rotosound, Whatever they may be, Please ask a question or make a comment. Here is what MTD has to say about the bass guitar strings they make.
Now all bassists can enjoy the same high quality strings that Michael Tobias has been using since 1994. Developed over a period of years using input from some of the finest bass players in the world, these custom wound strings are designed to deliver brilliant, distinctive tone, with exceptional definition and punch. MTD strings will maximize the sound of any electric bass guitar.
For the player who has entered the 5 and 6 string world, MTD pays special attention to the "B" and "C" strings. The "B" strings speak clearly down to 31.5 hz. The "C" strings are designed to match the volume of the rest of the set. Choose from two prepackaged sets and gauges.
posted by bassman @ Sunday, April 16, 2006
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9 Comments:
Whats up-I just bought a fretless bass, and it needs restrung and setup bad. What strings would you recomend?-Thanks-Cool site!
On a fretless I use flatwounds, less neck wear, plus they sound great. Check out some Brite-Flats
Here is a little copy you might like from D'Addario.
EXL160 - Medium
D'Addario XL Nickel Electric Bass strings are world-renowned as "The Player's Choice" amongst bass players of all genres and styles. All XL strings are precision wound on our exclusive computer-controlled machines, ensuring each string has excellent into nation, clear fundamentals, and unparalleled consistency. The nickelplated steel wrap wire is known for it's distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation and delivers a universally appealing tone for all playing styles.
Diameter Tension
Item# Note inches mm lbs kg
XLB050 G 0.050 1.27 53.4 24.22
XLB070 D 0.070 1.78 60.1 27.26
XLB085 A 0.085 2.16 48.4 21.95
XLB105 E 0.105 2.67 40.3 18.28
Check out the Hartke Bass Strings.
HTKHSB450:
Product Description
Bass players will get nothing less than what they would expect from a Hartke product: Reliability, consistency, and ultra-fast transient response for a brighter, richer, more defined tone. The Hartke Bass Strings come in 12 configurations, including 4 and 5-string sets of XLight, Light, and Medium, available in single and 3-packs. They are long scale, nickel-wound, hex-core strings, with color-coded beads for easy identification.
Technical Description
Gauges: 50, 70, 85, 105
A little info from Ernie Ball
Q: What are the differences between plain, RPS, nickelwound (Slinky), pure nickel (Classic Slinky), stainless steel, phosphor bronze (Slinky Acoustic), 80/20 bronze (Earthwood) and nylon (Ernesto Palla) strings?
A: These are the differences between our strings:
Plain strings (the smaller unwound strings), 3 are included in most electric sets and 2 in most acoustic sets, are a tin-plated steel string offering smooth high notes.
RPS (Reinforced Plain Strings) strings are simply reinforced versions of our standard plain strings. They have a special wrapping of bronze wire with a lock twist at the ball end where breakage most often occurs. Since they also help the string stay in tune, these are especially useful for players using a vintage-style tremolo or just the player who tends to break a lot of plain strings. However, there is no real tone difference when using these strings.
The differences in the various Slinky sets are in the wrapped strings only, and they are as follows:
Nickelwound, which is nickel plating over steel wrap, such as our standard Slinkys?, offer all-around good midrange tone and sound. .
Pure Nickel strings offer a smoother, rounder vintage tone, reminiscent of the 60's. Classic Slinkys? are available in this type of wrap.
Stainless Steel is a brighter string for more cutting tones. These are available in the Stainless Steel Slinkys?.
For acoustic guitars, the two most popular types are 80/20 bronze, and Phosphor Bronze. Earthwood 80/20 bronze gives a player a brighter, dynamic sound with lots of clarity.
Earthwood Silk & Steel has a nylon core for the wound strings to add a mellower characteristic to the 80/20 sound. It also lessens the tension, making the guitar easier to play.
Our Slinky Acoustic strings are a phosphor bronze blend string, giving players a warm, rich sound with solid tone while reducing string noise.
Nylon strings are a smooth, rich string, quieter than most other strings (for classical style guitars only.) They are available in our Ernesto Palla Silver & Clear, Silver & Black, and Gold & Black (ball end). Also available in our Earthwood line is Gold & Clear (ball end).
Q: What is the factory set up for neck relief?
A: Put a finger on the first fret and another on the 12th fret and use the low E string as a straight edge, there should be a slight amount of string clearance. Try this on the 5th and 21st fret for the same eyeball measurement. Then take an accurate ruler and measure the bottom of the E string to the top of the 12th fret, it should be 3/32". 2/32" on the low B of a 5 string.
Q: How do your Slinky Stainless Steel bass sets and the Slinky Nickelwound bass sets sound different?
A: Stainless Steel Slinky bass strings give you an overall brighter tone, whereas nickelwound (nickel over steel) Slinky Bass strings will give you a all-around good range of tone with plenty of midrange tones.
Q: What gauges of strings does Kenny Wayne Shepard use?
A: Kenny uses 11-14-18p-28-38-58 . Sometimes he uses a 12 instead of an 11. All the plain strings are reinforced (RPS Slinky singles, Reinforced Plain String).
Q: I experienced a problem with your strings. What should I do?
A: Here at Ernie Ball we employ strict quality control standards and are committed to producing the highest quality musical instrument strings. Unfortunately there are many factors that can lead to a shorter string life. String attack, pick thickness, and finger oils are just a few factors that contribute to some players breaking more strings than others.
Most strings break around the bridge. If this is happening repeatedly, you might need to replace the saddles. When the string is tightened, the saddle is the point at which the string makes the most contact and has the most tension, and therefore needs special attention. If there are sharp or rough areas on the saddles (which are often difficult to detect), strings are much more susceptible to breakage.
That said, we will gladly send you out a replacement if the string is determined to be defective. Please send the string/s in question to: Ernie Ball Inc, Customer Service, 53-973 Polk Avenue, Coachella, CA 92236. Feel free to contact us for additional help.
Warwick Black Label Bass V Strings
Warwick Black Label Bass Strings for 5 string
The top of the line Black Label strings are shipped with every Warwick bass. These exceptionally responsive handmade stainles steel strings, sparkling clear and rich in deep tones, will never disappoint even the most demanding of seasoned bass players.
25,45,65,85,105 Medium High C
20,40,60,80,100 Medium Light High C
40, 60, 80, 100, 130. Medium Light Low B
45, 65, 85, 105, 135. Medium Low B
Warwick EMP Coated Bass VI Strings
Almost everyone would agree that coated strings last longer than non-coated strings. Yet, most players would agree that non coated strings sound better. It used to be impossible to get the longevity of the one without sacrificing the tone of the other, but Warwick has solved this problem with their newest Warwick bass strings.
Warwick has combined the unappalled sonic excellent of their new hand wound bass strings with EMP (Enhanced molecular protection) and cleartone technology to bring you the next generation of extreme durability and tonal brilliance. They have created a formula for coating strings that is so thin, that bass players will never feel it. These strings even resist the flaking and crustiness of other coated bass strings.
A bass string that last longer and sound better, this is now a reality.
Medium Light - 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 130
Medium - 25, 45, 65, 85, 105,135
I like nickel windings on my pbass, and I like cheap strings, so I use the hartkes. Definitely a good string for the money, get 3 sets for 20 bucks. i also scored some spector bass strings for 10 a set last week at geetar centre, and i like them too. I also favor that b52 material, it is really bright, but not the same as nickel.
I prefer DR Sunbeams for fretless, and DR LoRiders for my fretted basses. You can use round wounds if the neck is ebony or maple. From DR's website - "SUNBEAMS are ... the advanced exponent of fretless bass ... (for) brightness and warmth."
If you're looking for a more nostalgic sound, you might try flatwound or tapewound strings.
Good luck! Experiment!
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