Strings for MM Sterling HS

[ray]

I have a MM Sterling HS which I absolutely love. I wanted to know what would be the best strings to use on it. I tried DR stainless steel, but they are just too noisey. I would like to try a set of power slinky's but not sure if they would be too heavy. I really want excellent tone balance between all strings. any suggestions?

 

[mynan]

Tough question...mostly because this is the Ernie Ball forum and recommending other brands is frowned on.

Personally, I use Regular Slinkys on my 5s, which are the same gauge as the Super Slinky 4s. If you wanted something a little heavier, you could try the Regular Slinky 4s

 

[LoEnd]

I have to support the slinkys, they are just amazing strings with MM basses. They have great tone and the balance that you are looking for

 

[MingusBASS]

Try the Power Slinkys, you'll never know if they are "too heavy" until give them a shot. I've tried a ton of different brands but I always come back to Slinkys.

 

[phatduckk]

I love the hyrbid stainless steal slinkys on my Sterling HS

 

[maddog]

Power Slinkys give a bit of a darker sound but will be higher tension.

I think super slinkys are the stock ones. Lower tension so they respond well to a lighter touch.

Me, I'd shoot the middle and do regular slinkys.

 

[Kristopher]

For my Sterling HS I recently bought a signature set of pure nickle single wrap strings by the company mentioned in the first post. The E string sounds like I got dead spots everywhere on the bass. So much for bass magazine hype. I'm going back to slinkys, they make my Sterling sound good.

 

[Marco]

I use regular Slinkys and Group III flats and get great tone out of both.

 

[73jbass]

One of my Sterlings keeps a set of EB flats on it. Fantastic!

 

[Bloodfist]

I use only Hybrid Slinkys on all my basses, fantastic sounding strings!

 

[Road Pop]

I'm very happy with the EB Super Slinky 45/65/80/100 on my HH Sterling. No need for me to try other brands anymore. With the pre-amp on the Sterling, I haven't even wanted to try a 105 E. I'm starting to put the Supers on my other brand basses.

Edit: They're not noisy at all, tension is perfect (for me), and they last a long time. I tried D'ads (with 105) on a bass recently, and they have to come off. Too stiff. First time I've had to adjust that neck in forever. IMHO and YMMV.

 

[silverburst]

I've been using nothing but Hybrid Slinkies and Group II (or is it III?) flats and have been pretty happy. I tried some DR Black Beauties awhile back, and they went off (tone-wise) surprisingly quickly.

 

[fishcat1]

105's don't even have enough tension. I love my Sterling HS-but came from a '97 Warwick, and the tension difference took forever for me to get used to. I play fingerstyle funk, with lots of staccato notes (possibly a heavy touch). For some reason I'm sensitive to low tension basses-just simply cant play them with any level of speed-right hand gets all goofed up. A local setup guru mentioned that the warwick may have had more aggressive break angles at the nut and bridge. I really think this is the major reason for the tension differences. Who knows? Experimentation is the key.

 

[73jbass]

The break angle over the bridge doesn't effect tension. You're just going to have to try different strings. Some .110-.050 EB's might be in order.

 

[fishcat1]

Yes, I'm going to pick up a set of power slinkys soon. Good advice, '73

 

[JimB52]

I prefer the sound of old rounds.
Not crusty, rusty old, but used.
I like Super Slinkys or Hybrids on my Sterling H/S.

Jim B