horribleman Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I've got a 4H Stingray, which I love dearly, and I can get most any sound out of it, except the one I want. I've tried flats, but they lacked a little high end definition. Currently it has what I think are the factory strings on, which sound good but they are missing a little oomph. Will putting heavier rounds ok swap a bit of brightness without sacrificing clarity for some oomph or do I need pressure wounds or something else? What do you stingray stingray dudes use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Heaviers doesn't mean less bright, mostly means more everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Without knowing what sound you want, it's a bit hard to say! As a starting point, try a set of DR Sunbeams, that's what I use on my SR4. I also quite rate the Fatbeams too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbass Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 [quote name='horribleman' post='511675' date='Jun 11 2009, 10:49 PM']I've got a 4H Stingray, which I love dearly, and I can get most any sound out of it, except the one I want. I've tried flats, but they lacked a little high end definition. Currently it has what I think are the factory strings on, which sound good but they are missing a little oomph. Will putting heavier rounds ok swap a bit of brightness without sacrificing clarity for some oomph or do I need pressure wounds or something else? What do you stingray stingray dudes use?[/quote] Maybe just try a different brand of strings? or perhaps its just time for a fresh new pack of round wounds, try the flea signature boomers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Sounds like you want more Low-mids...Recently switching to a Stingray myself I'll say that having one pickup at the bridge gives you HUGE ammounts of bright, biting tone...But a loss in low mids. Can't suggest anything I'm afraid...Not sure strings will do that job and heavier strings won't sort that out either. Chances are your already using 45-105, asuming only, therefore anything heavier isn't gonna help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horribleman Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hmm. I guess I'll try some more brands of strings. The flats had most everything I'm looking for, except the high end definition which is why I think I can find that sound by changing the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Which flats did you try? Give D'Addario Chrones a go if you want bright flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Try nickel rounds, 45-105 ish. Nickels generally have smoother top and fatter mids than stainless steel. Also, leave them on there for a good while before you judge their tone - I prefer strings that are well played in (which means I get to keep them on for ages!) I prefer balanced tension gauges but strings in those combinations are rare - I have 38-58-78-104-134 on my 36" scale five. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaren J Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Sounds like you may need to swap out the preamp or pickup. Broken-in nickel wounds would probably help, like alexclaber said. They do my L2000 a lot of favours in the tone department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horribleman Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 I've just ordered some Fender 150 Original Nickel Bass Strings 45 -105s. See how they work out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarnacleBob Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Wish I had had all this advice for my 'Ray - Fine bass but couldnt put my finger on what was wrong with it, I couldnt seem to dial in what i wanted and ended up punting it. Hope urs turns out OK BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='horribleman' post='511876' date='Jun 12 2009, 10:00 AM']I've just ordered some Fender 150 Original Nickel Bass Strings 45 -105s. See how they work out [/quote] Let us know after a good month's worth of action! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 In short, no. A heavier gauge of exactly the same string will [i]generally[/i] sound brighter on the same bass with same tuning etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brooks Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Maybe give some halfwounds/groundwounds a try perhaps, sort of middle ground between rounds and flats. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='Kongo' post='511760' date='Jun 12 2009, 01:32 AM']Sounds like you want more Low-mids...Recently switching to a Stingray myself I'll say that having one pickup at the bridge gives you HUGE ammounts of bright, biting tone...But a loss in low mids. Can't suggest anything I'm afraid...Not sure strings will do that job and heavier strings won't sort that out either. Chances are your already using 45-105, asuming only, therefore anything heavier isn't gonna help you. [/quote] +1. Stingrays can lack low mids, which I missed when switching from my Warwick. I'm now using an EBS microbass to dial in some low mids and the tone is fantastic. I've got all the character of the Stingray tone, but with a bit more low end growl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horribleman Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 I cancelled the string order, seems that Stingrays usually ship with nickel strings and I think they are the original strings. Might try some halfwounds or groundwounds a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 [quote name='dannybuoy' post='511840' date='Jun 12 2009, 08:57 AM']Which flats did you try? Give D'Addario Chrones a go if you want bright flats.[/quote] +1 on Chromes for a bit of zing on flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodney72a Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Try Galli nickels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lateralus462 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I had exactly this problem with my ray - wacked in a bit of extra low mids on the amp eq and problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.