Thoughts on bass string for multiscale?

[crushingpetal]

I've been using the Dingwall 5 nickel strings for an Ibanez BTB605MS and am mostly happy. Not able to leave good-enough alone, I'm curious about either the Dingwall 5 stainless steel or the NYXL set for 37" basses.

Anyone have experience with either of these? How much tension will I lose if I go to the stainless steel set, and is the extra brightness worth it (in your opinion)?

Thanks for any help you have!

 

[Crungy]

I've used Dingwall stainless and nickels, some nickel DR's for my NG 4 string (I forget the set, Blues something?), some regular extra long D'Addarios and Payson nickel or stainless.

I prefer Payson first then Dingwall strings. Payson has a good range of gauge options and I've been very satisfied with their strings and customer service. They usually ship pretty fast too.

 

[Crungy]

I've noticed any extra long strings I've tried that were not multi scale sets seemed a lot stiffer, but not in a good way. It's like they're kind of hard... I didn't care for it all.

I have Paysons on all of my Dingwalls aside from the Dbird. That has D'Addario nickels on it but only because the guy I bought it from gave me a bunch sets with the bass.

 

[crushingpetal]

I've used Dingwall stainless and nickels,

Did you notice much difference between the sets? Tension difference? Was the stainless steel much brighter?

Word on the Payson. Since I was mostly happy with the Dingwall set I haven't tried them yet, but maybe I should.

 

[Crungy]

Did you notice much difference between the sets? Tension difference? Was the stainless steel much brighter?

Word on the Payson. Since I was mostly happy with the Dingwall set I haven't tried them yet, but maybe I should.

I honestly don't recall there being much of a tension difference. To my ears, the Dingwall stainless strings could get more of the djenty/Nolly kind of tone compared to the nickels. I wasn't expecting that but that works too!

I think if you like Dingwall strings you'd dig the Paysons.

What tunings do you use?

 

[crushingpetal]

I honestly don't recall there being much of a tension difference. To my ears, the Dingwall stainless strings could get more of the djenty/Nolly kind of tone compared to the nickels. I wasn't expecting that but that works too!

I think if you like Dingwall strings you'd dig the Paysons.

What tunings do you use?

Thanks! I think I'll try the ss Dingwalls, then maybe the Paysons.

Tuning is A standard on the 37--35" BTB.

 

[crushingpetal]

Normally I'd be more adventurous, but with bass strings at $40 a pop I try to be smart about it!

 

[Crungy]

Thanks! I think I'll try the ss Dingwalls, then maybe the Paysons.

Tuning is A standard on the 37--35" BTB.

Those BTB's are sick, the demos I've heard sound great. If that was available when I started buying Dingwalls I would have tried it! I wish they'd do a Soundgear that was 34-37", seems like a no brainer.

I checked and I do have stainless Dingwall strings on my Combustion 5, tuned to drop A. That bass seems to be happiest tuned there with those strings, I didn't care for them tuned lower.

My NG3 5 has Payson nickels and I like those for drop G down to drop E. They're not very tight for drop E but it works well for me. I did just get some Payson stainless strings with a 145 low B, so we'll see if that's any better for drop E.

 

[Crungy]

Normally I'd be more adventurous, but with bass strings at $40 a pop I try to be smart about it!

I hear ya! Bass strings are always frickin expensive, even for 4 stringers... Last band I gigged with I had two main basses and went through a lot of strings because we did 3-4 hour sets every weekend. That wore them out pretty fast lol

 

[Baelzebeard]

I always prefer stainless regardless of scale type. Just have a clearer tone to me.

 

[Blues Cat]

I've used Dingwall stainless and nickels, some nickel DR's for my NG 4 string (I forget the set, Blues something?), some regular extra long D'Addarios and Payson nickel or stainless.

I prefer Payson first then Dingwall strings. Payson has a good range of gauge options and I've been very satisfied with their strings and customer service. They usually ship pretty fast too.

Not sure if you’ve seen our new DROP G of F# sets for Dingwalls, BTB’s and Dimension basses. https://www.paysonbass.com/store/p1...or-Ibanez-Fanned-Fret-Multi-Scale-Basses.html