Never would of thought.. I should have known better

[sloshep]

At the end of November I bought my SUB 5 from GC. At this time I also bought a set of new strings. They were D' Ad*&^%$ XL's same gauge as the bass came with. After I installed them the problems began. First thing I noticed was the B string seemed more floppy, matter a fact all the strings seemed more floppy. Then there was the EQ problems. Too much high end, had to in some songs roll it back to no boost (still too bright). And I seemed also to be boosting more in the low end. I was beginning to think about getting an eq pedal/DI to tame the beast. Maybe the 2 band is just too wild and cantankerous for me. Didn't have this problem when playing an SR5 at a store. ( looking for a new amp). Then it occurred to me that it could be the strings. All MM's come with EB strings. Put a set of EB's on this last weekend and problem solved. The tone evened out. I now have use of the high band and have turned the low band down some. I am not used to this kind of synergy from a company. Its EB's for my SUB 5 from now on. Sorry I ever doubted your company, BP. I should know better. You were originally a string company only.( I feel sooo embarrassed ). It wasn't like I didn't know people that worked there in the 90's also. I guess I just got jaded over the years by all the marketing hype from other companies and lumped you in with them. Sorry for ever doubting.

 

[bovinehost]

The Slinkys bring something to the table that no other string does. I had Slinkys on my SR5 for YEARS and loved them even when they went a little (hah) dead.

I have Slinkys on my new SR5 and EB flats on one of my Bongos. Great strings!

Jack

 

[Aussie Mark]

Same string gauge doesn't necessarily mean same tension. Your bass was factory set up for the Slinkys, so it's no surprise that some setup adjustments would be required after changing string brands.

 

[Road Pop]

I didn't think I'd care for the .100 E that came on the Sterling. I'm quite used to it now. Damn fine strings.

 

[Big Poppa]

aussie mark is not a string reference!

 

[Aussie Mark]

aussie mark is not a string reference!

Not fair, I'm at work so I can't join in your after dinner drinking games!

 

[bovinehost]

Not fair, I'm at work so I can't join in your after dinner drinking games!

You and I are more alike than different on string selection, but:

First thing I noticed was the B string seemed more floppy, matter a fact all the strings seemed more floppy. Then there was the EQ problems. Too much high end, had to in some songs roll it back to no boost (still too bright). And I seemed also to be boosting more in the low end.

This sounds like more than a setup adjustment.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a company man, but still.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

aussie you drove me to quit drinking 6 months baby

 

[Aussie Mark]

aussie you drove me to quit drinking 6 months baby

I knew there was a reason why my 30th Anniversary SR turned out so wonderful - it was made after you quit drinking

 

[sloshep]

You and I are more alike than different on string selection, but:



This sounds like more than a setup adjustment.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a company man, but still.

Jack

Normally I would agree, but I have been setting up my own basses for the last 10+ years. Not to say I'm an expert, because I'm not. I read the FAQ's on EB website for setup. I LOVE the truss rod wheel it is so easy compared to every other one I have ever messed with. The biggest problem was the other string co. probably uses a smaller core wire in its strings, hens the floppy string. I'm sure if I ripped off the windings on both sets of strings I would find a smaller core wire or at least a more flexible one on those east coast strings. Normally I don't here that much difference in nickel strings that I have used on other basses. Then again in the past most of my basses have been passive. My other bass right now is a Iban%z SR400 with a P/J setup 3 band eq. I found with this other string co. I had to run 105 -85-65-45 to get a good overall tone. If I dropped to a 100- 80- 60-40 I got lost in the mix. Plus the strings flopped around too much when trying to through in the occasional triplet. Bass Player Mag gave those strings D'Ad*&^%$ strings a good overall rating. One thing I have found over the years especially on acoustic guitars is finding the right set gauge and alloy to get the tone out of it I want. Sorry for the rambling on. I used to (maybe still do) obsess over strings. To me its now obvious that MM basses eqs were tweeked with the Slinkys on them. Therefore to get the best tone (very subjective here) use the strings that they were developed with. I know there are plenty of other strings out there will sound good on these basses as well. But it could take months and months to find the right alternate ones for me. So I'm sticking with the Slinky for now.

Oooh I've been rambling again, too much ice tea today.

 

[Bill]

I love Slinkys. I had some of those D-brand strings on my off-branded bass a while back, and they just didn't sound exactly right for some reason. The sound shaped up once I put some Slinkys on the bass!

Slinkys also seem to last an extraordinary amount of time for me. I slapped a new set on my honeyburst 'Ray several months ago, and they still have plenty of life left in them.

 

[Figjam]

I use EB strings exclusively. Hybrid slinkies for me. (and right now, powers on the sr5, wish they had a hybrid set for 5ers)

 

[Big Poppa]

actually mark yours was the last one made while i was drinking

 

[Aussie Mark]

actually mark yours was the last one made while i was drinking

In that case I'm honored that you had a drink on my birthday. Amazingly the DOB of this bass is 1 September, which means as well as being a 30th Anniversary Stingray it's a 45th birthday anniversary model for me. I'll drink to that

 

[MingusBASS]

What are the odds of that? Nice!