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Post subject: Strings for Alt Modern Rock with Pick
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:29 am
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I've played guitar for about 15 years and recently (4 months ago) picked up the bass to join a good friend's Alternative/modern/pop punk band. Got an American Precision bass recently but haven's settled on strings. I've been using the DR Lo-Riders and while I love their sound, they just feel rough to me and difficult to slide - not sure though if that's my fingers still adjusting to the bass or strings.

Can anyone recommend strings that would sound good in a band like this while using a pick (actually testing out those Wedgie Rubber picks right now) and also maybe be easier on the fingers?

I am desperate for help since it seems every clerk at a music store doesn't know a thing about bass strings.


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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:45 am
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Well, I just strated playing the bass last week, after playing guitar for a long time (found a P bass clone on craigslist for $40 and couldn't pass it up). The strings were killing my fingers so I wanted to try flat wounds to see if it helped. There's a thread on here with peoples thoughts on flat wounds that would probably help you.

I put the flat wounds on Tuesday and so far I'm loving it. Feels a lot better on my fingers, very smooth. And it reduces the noise when sliding.
I don't know if there's much of a difference if between rounds when using a pick. I'f been trying to use my fingers, so haven't tried it with a pick yet.


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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:13 am
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So which flatwounds are you using? Do you like the sound? What kind of music do you play? I looked through the flatwounds thread but am looking to hear more input considering the style of music I play and which flatwounds people seem to like the most.

Are flatwounds not bright enough for pop punk/rock? Seems like that is what I have been hearing.


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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:36 am
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Well, they're warmer than the rounds, but right now I'm more concerned about the wear on my fingers. I can play for longer periods with the flats. But I'm not playing in a band so tone isn't my main concern right now. I've been playing songs by Cream, Everclear, Tom Petty, and Eric Clapton. If I need it a littler brighter I turn up the highs on the amp. Sounds ok to my ears, but I'm a novice. I'm running it thru a guitar amp too, which probably is a little less bassy.


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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:22 am
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The best string for the type of music you're playing IMO would be Rotosoud Swing Bass 66 Stainless Steel, but it won't be the best for your fingers.

DR are already considered smooth, but you may want to try DR Sunbeams, I think they are smoother and more flexible than the Lo-Riders. They sound great too!

If you are opting to use flats, may I recomment Rotosound Flatwounds. They are smooth, but they have higher tension and the are brigther than your conventional flat wounds. That may suit your style.

Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Andy Bell (Oasis), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) all used Rotosound Flatwounds!


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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:13 am
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Ernie Ball's are smooth and shiny out of the package. My daughter will not try any other strings. You could also try any of the coated brands, like Elixir. Rotosounds are like sandpaper out of the package. I tried a D'Addario half-wound set, and they felt terrible.

However, there is no doubt that flats are the easiest on the fingers. Problem is they won't sound right for the punk stuff. Maybe some fret lube to help the left hand slides?

For picks, I tried the rubber/felt picks, but settled on the Clayton 1mm rounded triangles.

Finally, if you're committed to the bass thing, for the real authentic Mike Dirt/Mark Hoppus sound, you should consider putting a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickup in your P-bass. That is the main ingredient in the sound and is the pickup in the their respective signature basses. It's a huge difference.

I've played guitar for 30+ years, and picked up bass when my daughter started playing a couple of years ago. She is a huge Green Day fan. My tone quest for modern/punk bass led me to: P-bass -> QP pickup -> SVT or Mesa amp -> new strings (when bass strings go dead, they go dead real fast) -> played with a pick. Obviously, there are variants, but this got me close.

Incidentally, if you have a Pod X3, the bass models in there sound great for punk. I love the "Skate Park" preset.

Hope this helps...


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Post subject: QPs
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:05 pm
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LawDaddy:

Thanks for the good info... just what I needed - something else I now want for my bass (the QP pickups)... Do you know if they are a major upgrade over the American electronics or just the Mexican?


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Post subject: Re: QPs
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:28 pm
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caxel21 wrote:
LawDaddy:

Thanks for the good info... just what I needed - something else I now want for my bass (the QP pickups)... Do you know if they are a major upgrade over the American electronics or just the Mexican?


Fender dosen't have anything equivalent, their '62 reissue pickup would be the closest b/c it has some of the upper-mids grind, but the QP is a different animal altogether.

The QP is the bass equivalent of the Seymour Duncan JB for guitar - it just defines that sound. I'm a Dimarzio guitar pup fan, but love the SD's for bass. The vintage SD pup with flatwounds nails the old-school blues that I play, and the QP with rounds and a pick defines the modern sound. Best $65 you'll spend :)


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Post subject: QPs
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:29 am
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So, after starting this thread to find out more about strings, I end up deciding to stick with my DR Lo-riders (since some lube seemed to help sliding and I like the sound)... but I just brought my bass in to have the pickups swapped out for the Quarter-Pounders! Thanks LawDaddy... I'll let you know what I think... wont have it back 'til Monday but am pretty excited to see the difference...


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Post subject: Re: QPs
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:22 am
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caxel21 wrote:
So, after starting this thread to find out more about strings, I end up deciding to stick with my DR Lo-riders (since some lube seemed to help sliding and I like the sound)... but I just brought my bass in to have the pickups swapped out for the Quarter-Pounders! Thanks LawDaddy... I'll let you know what I think... wont have it back 'til Monday but am pretty excited to see the difference...


Sweet! Keep us posted!


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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:22 am
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IMO you should try out some DR Sunbeams.
String-noise may be an issue with technique, I'm not saying that you have bad technique, but bass is a different beast than guitar, and you may need to alter your fingering. Your fingers wiil adjust to the feel, of course bass strings are thicker than guitar strings so your fingers have a bigger contact area.
And having spent the coin on an American Fender, I would not change the pick-ups unless there is/was something wrong with them. I would try to EQ things differently first, and also maybe add/use an effects pedal to acheive a tone that I am after.
I have a Squier VM with QP's in them and it rocks hard, but so do my stock MIA Fenders. I just EQ slightly between the different basses and acheive the same sounds MOL.
JMO


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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:39 pm
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Like I suggested before, as did @Zod, Sunbeams will be worth a try.

Check this video out. This dude is great, he's using DR Sunbeams here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOXPbpzn9vo

Enjoy!

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Fender Bassman 150


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Post subject: Update
Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:55 am
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So, a bit of an update...

My Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups have been on for about two days and so far so great. Really gives it a much punchier, fatter sound like many have described here and think it will work perfectly.

I have used some string lube on my DR Lo-Riders (Dr. Ducks Ax Wax to be specific) and they definitely are much easier to slide across frets now.

I saw the replies suggesting DR Sunbeams unfortunately just after a fresh pair of Lo-Riders were put on so I will have to wait until I replace this set to try out the Sunbeams. But I am liking the Lo-Riders right now so I'm not sure if I should be toying with strings unless you guys really think DR Sunbeams sound better (and not only feel better since the Lo-Riders are feeling pretty good now)...

Thanks for all the input - cant even explain how much its appreciated.


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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:05 am
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Great news! I think you'll like them even better when you practice or play live, they really cut through the mix. Keep us updated!


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