New strings

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hello all,

I'm going to try a 5str set of Smith strings to replace my DR Sunbeams.

Would the Burner NPS or Compressors work better for my needs?

I'm playing Blues, real R&B, a little jazz, some rock, some country; all the usual stuff!

I play fingerstyle and some thumb/palm-mute.

Thanks for any help.

Regards, Kirk

[Tim Bishop]

Hello all,

I'm going to try a 5str set of Smith strings to replace my DR Sunbeams.

Would the Burner NPS or Compressors work better for my needs?

I'm playing Blues, real R&B, a little jazz, some rock, some country; all the usual stuff!

I play fingerstyle and some thumb/palm-mute.

Thanks for any help.

Regards, Kirk

A few questions:

What guage do you currently use with your bass set up as it is???
Nickel or Stainless???
Flat wound, half wounds, or round wounds???
What scale length is your bass???
What type/model bass do you play???
Fretted or Fretless???

For me, on all of my Smiths (Fretted or Fretless) it's Smith Medium Taper Cores (Stainless Steel): .044; .063; .084T; .106T; .130T.

[Kirk P Brosius]

Hi Tim,

My bass is a fretted Smith BSR5MW, the DR's were Sunbeams (nickel on round core, 45-125).

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Kirk

[Tim Bishop]

Hi Tim,

My bass is a fretted Smith BSR5MW, the DR's were Sunbeams (nickel on round core, 45-125).

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Kirk

I'm not a fan of Nickels simply because they sound dead to me. BUT, I'm not saying what doesn't work for me doesn't work for someone else. If you like Nickels, by all means, go for it.

I would say this though: I would highly recommend giving the Medium Taper Cores a try. Keep in mind though, they are Taper Cores, plus, the gauges are different from what you are use too. What does this mean? It simply means you may have to re-set-up your bass accordingly.

Also, with taper cores, the strings will sit lower on the neck because the saddles are supporting a wire and not the fatness of non-taper-core string. If you didn't use taper cores before, you'll see what I mean if you decide to try them.

I still say, set that bass up with Medium Taper Cores and enjoy. Otherwise, if you prefer Nickels, go with a set of Burners of a similar gauge to what you are use to.

Let me know what you end up doing. :)