Strings

[mumra]

Hallo to everyone. I would like to tell me what brand-model of strings do you use.I have an Alembic europa 4 string bass.In my band I play with pick and we play Hardcore/metal.In my previous bass (a cheap Ibanez), I use to used Rotosound Swing Bass 66 (45/105).I would like to try the ernie ball 45/105 hybrid slinky.Does enyone know about those strings.With rotosound I play for a long time with the same sound.

[bigredbass]

If you want to sound like the bass does on most metal records, get the loudest stainless steel stings you like.  Rotosounds are certainly used by quite a few.
 
Are you looking for a different tone, or just input on other strings?
 
J o e y

[2400wattman]

Most good string brands have a great stainless steel so, in my opinion you should stick with those and alter your tone via attack and where you hit the strings. Metal is very one sided and Stainless strings should be the string of choice for tone and longevity. You can boil those things a couple of times to make them last a while.

[darkstar01]

metal is very one sided? news to me.

[mumra]

Thanks a lot. I agree with darkstar about metal.Bigred I would like a different tone. I prefer the mid tone. I would like the tool sound, and metallica (my friend of misery intro). I have a excellent bass, ihave an AMpeg SVT 4 pro through SVT 410 amp, and now I would like to use good strings.

[darkstar01]

hey mumra, I'm the type that's of the opinion that its less about strings and more about technique. personally, I play d'addario nickel wounds on all of my basses. anyway, if you do a quick search on the forums here, you will find several threads about strings, as it's a pretty common topic.

[svlilioukalani]

I bought a bass a few months ago with DR Extra Life Coated Bass Strings. Sweet sound and they do last a long time. Also less string noise. Very woth the money.

[slammin]

Ditto.  DR Black Beauties.  Easy on the fingers too.
 
I tried some Ernie Ball Extra Slinky's and they just did not feel as nice as the DR's.

[briant]

Elixer nano web strings.  They're coated stainless steel.  I get several months out of a set.  Well worth the extra money.
 
It should be noted that I can burn through a set of Rotosounds in a night.

[mario_farufyno]

I use GHS Bassics L6000 on my 4 string Rogue because they are heavy on low Strings, but light at the higher ones (.040 - .058 - .080 - .102). I feel they balances more evenly that way since I like their tone best when heavy, but - as I use bending high strings too often - I prefer the soft feel of the light sets.
 
With that mixed set I got the best of both worlds. Being Nickelwound it also helps to tame Alembic's all bright tone.
 
With my 6 strings Washburn I use the GHS Super Steels 6L-STB because they are the lighest set I could regularly find (and afford) and also like them bright and soft for the chordal work this Bass begs me to do. And the stainless steel helps to balance my corean Washburn's too muffled tone.
 
But you must know that we don't have much options in terms of string brands here in Brazil. Our local brands makes almost fence wires, although they are not cheap at all (or not cheap enough to we don't use american labels). So we have to opt for an easy to find brand and stick to it, my choice was GHS since I disliked the D'Addario and Rotosound I've tryied.

[thumbsup]

In this seasoned (old) pluckers opinion, regardless of brand, all (most)round wounds get that bright brillant sound and flats,well are flats and get a bassier ballsier sound and nothing wrong with that! Right. It is after all, Bass!  
You will have to experiment with what brands/type work for your individual taste and playing style since rounds generally are a bit rougher texture and flats have a smooth finish. And then theres the life exspectency of the chossen one. I as I believe we all have gotten a dead string right out of the box at one time or another so you do have to keep an open ear . That another story!  
I actually prefer Earnie Ball Round Wound extra lights (ok go ahead and laugh! They work for me!)on my Rouge 5 but GHS,DRs and others are fine.
It also come down to gauge and playing style (fingers and thumbs or pick)and technique.  
 
Trying to get anothers identical or near close sound? That's a tough one! Sometimes even for the original player! But the previous comment of using the same type strings (and not necessarily brand)may be the best you can hope for other than equalization,pressence,overdrive etc....  
And then of cousre now a days effects can compensate a heck of a lot for sound,style,technique and dare I say....talent!
 
I've found that I have my own unique sound that always seems to find me which I am content with but when needed I usually am able to get close to another sound by simple equlization adustments and yes... I admit...EFFECTS!

[bigredbass]

...so as you can see, mumra, opinions about strings are all over the place, but I think most of us would point you towards roundwounds, probably stainless, for the brightest strings.  I'd also agree with 2400 that where you're picking can buy you more mids/highs:  The closer to the bridge you pick, the brighter your tone gets while you begin to lose some lows.  But, an SVT-4 has lots of EQ, so that shouldn't be a problem once you find a spot you prefer.
 
J o e y

[darkstar01]

kind of off topic, but you know what I find unbelievable? Steve Harris (of iron maiden), who is imho the best metal bass player ever, uses flats. his signature rotosounds are flats. certainly don't sound like flats, but whatever. things that make you go huh.

[mike1762]

Harris has REALLY low action.  I was a big Iron Maiden/Harris fan back in the day (still am).  When I found out he used flats, I ran out and got a set... uggghhh.  It was a VERY different tone than I was used to and I couldn't imagine how Harris got his sound.  If you go back and listen to Maiden you'll hear that his tone really wasn't all that bright... it was all the clicking and clanking (because of the low action) that gave you that perception.

[mario_farufyno]

And he changes after every Gig. I supose you can get some bright of Flats that way (and people use to say Rotosound's Flats are brighter sounding than any other Flats).