Author Topic: What strings do you use for slap tone? (Read 632 times)

samsamaha · « **on:** April 10, 2015, 07:44:51 PM »

Hello again, it's the new guy... did a search and found some old discussions but as things change I'm curious what some of you (you that slap) are using to get that nice bright Zing tone? I tried my usual Dean Markley Helix steels but they were a bit too clanky and noisy on the neck... with those robus fret wires, I think I need something more subtle.. Shall I stick with the Alembic's? How are the Rotosounds?

Nickel alloy for sure? or will Steel work? Seems steel is a bit too noisy from what I was able to gleen.. I put the Alembics back on, but they're a bit flat... not sure if they're just older, or what.

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2015, 05:27:52 AM »

Personally I have always preferred nickel plated strings. I use Alembic strings on my small body, short scale basses. On my 5 string Orion I have been using the Dean Markley Roundcore NPS strings but I'm not sure if they are available anymore. On my fretless I use D'Addario Chromes which are a flat wound string.

Keith

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2015, 08:47:32 AM »

Regardless slapping or not, I dig nickel strings, too. I feel it kind of matches better the proeminent highs of my Alembic.

But I'd like to point out that Alembic's filter sound different from regular bass systems. An Alembic can really puts out lots of higher harmonics from its PUs and I rarely open the filter all the way up. Also, when Q switch is engaged, it can give a big boost around the point the filters cut. An open filter with its Q engaged can make strings sounds really clanky...

samsamaha · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2015, 10:06:20 AM »

Yeah, I quickly figured that out Mario. My initial ASSumption was that I'd open it all up, since I saw doing otherwise as limiting the bass's tone... Then I realized that this is excessive. I'm still toying with settings, but I have sort of gravitated away from pure steel strings also, maybe I'll look at coated steels later. For now, I placed an order for more Alembic sets and I'll stick with those and see how they go.

stout71 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2015, 10:37:10 AM »

I've used Rotosound Funkmasters in the past. They are steel, but I really liked their brightness - but that was on my Warwick. They don't make a 5-string set so I can't use them on my Alembic. The strings are REALLY light gauge, 30-90 so the string spacing is a little weird getting used to at first.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2015, 11:56:13 AM »

D'addario EPS170-5SL ProSteels 5-String Bass, Light, 45-130, Super Long Scale and they have a great bright tone that works well for slapping. Plus point for me is they seem to keep they brightness for a good while longer than the Ken Smith, Fodera, DR and RCocco strings I've tried in the past. I had alembic strings on my bass in the past but they are far too expensive here in the UK. I will pick some up next time I'm in the states. :-)

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=157&productname=EPS170_5SL_ProSteels_5_String_Bass__Light__45_130__Super_Long_Scale

edwin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2015, 10:23:55 PM »

DR Sunbeams. My favorite rounds.

moongerm · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2015, 04:43:46 AM »

DR High Beams and Sunbeams.

malthumb · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2015, 07:21:28 AM »

One of the many, many, cool things about Alembics is that the electronics allow so much flexibility that there is no one string for slap.

One of my Alembics almost always wears DR Black Beauties. I like the feel, tone, and durability of the coated roundwounds. I get all the zing I want (or need) out of those. I also use the same strings on two Music Man Sabres. Again, all the zing I need.

My other Alembic wears Ken Smith Burners or Rock Masters. Mainly because I bought a whole crapload of them years a go for practically nothing and I am slowly working my through them. They are not bad, I just like DR BB and DR Phat Beams a LOT more, so those are the strings that go on my gigging basses.

samsamaha · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2015, 07:48:31 AM »

I got a set of DR Pure Blues and tried them on, they sound good...not as noisy with some Zing.. maybe I'll try and brave some Steels by DR next. Only wish they had a silk winding on them, but they do sound great!

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2015, 12:19:47 PM »

Alembic and D'addario XL.

I'm lucky, strings stay bright and last a long time for me. Even if my strings are a little old and don't sound as bright as when new, the clarity and versatility of the Alembic electronics makes it easy to compensate, so I'm not a picky as I used to be about string tone.

So, for me it's more about how the strings feel, and I like the the way Alembic and D'addario XL's respond for slap. Not too stiff or too pliable.

samsamaha · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2015, 02:45:22 PM »

Ok, after experimenting with LITERALLY a half a dozen brands of string:

-Dean Markley Helix - Steel
-Dunlop Super Brings (nickel plated)
-LaBela - round wound steel
-DR Pure Blues
-Alembic CX3 - Nickel plated

I came to the following conclusion...

The best sounding strings to my ear and most balanced between highs and brightness, and noise and clank were the Alembics! Go figure... it's just my luck since they are very hard to find and cost a fortune!

Anyway, close second was DR blue's and Dunlop Superbright, the pure steel strings I found to harsh and noisy, especially with low action the way I have it setup.

The good news is I am able to recycle those strings onto my Spector and Fender as both of those do fine with steels the way I have them setup.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2015, 05:50:00 AM »

Sam, as you liked Alembic's most, you could try other brand's nickel roller/pressurewound sets...

edwin · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2015, 10:05:29 AM »

I think Mario is offering good advice. As a sometime endorser of DR strings, I've found that their different strings have very different feels and sounds. Judging them all by one model is not very accurate. I would try the Sunbeams, based on what you seem to like. The Alembics are very nice, though.

tbrannon · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2015, 11:32:32 AM »

+1 on Sunbeams. They're my favorite.