On your Roscoe what strings do you use and why? Especially those who use a B string.

Good question..

Gaard,
What strings are new Roscoes shipped with?

By the master Gard himself:
D'Addario XL 45-130

Mo'

Have been meaning to put this same question on the forum myself!

I am using DR HiBeam 45 - 125's recommended by TPB, I was using 45 - 135s. and am very happy with the sound and durability of these strings. Not cheap but worth the money IMO.

I am interested to hear what other Roscoe users play on.

Have been meaning to put this same question on the forum myself!

I am using DR HiBeam 45 - 125's recommended by TPB, I was using 45 - 135s. and am very happy with the sound and durability of these strings. Not cheap but worth the money IMO.

I am interested to hear what other Roscoe users play on.

I've tried several other brands on my fretless, and settle down to DR Fat Beams 45-125 now.
IMHO, The Fat Beams got the best parts of DR: Tight Lows & Crisp Highs without the tight string feel.
D'ddario is nice, but the low B feels a little brrrrrrrupy under my hand.;)
I think I robbed all the stock Fat Beams strings TPB had...

By the master Gard himself:
D'Addario XL 45-130

Mo'

Actually, here are the guages we use (for 6 string, omit strings as appropriate for 5 and 4 strings):

.032 .045 .065 .085 .100 .125

They are indeed D'Addario XL nickel wound strings, however, I am a master of little (it has been suggested I may be one at baiting, but I haven't been fishing in years....:hiding: :eek: )

I use Ken Smith Stainless strings 045/130 and I'm very happy with those which are affordable and have a good life and the zings I like.

Sheers

Actually, here are the guages we use (for 6 string, omit strings as appropriate for 5 and 4 strings):

.032 .045 .065 .085 .100 .125

They are indeed D'Addario XL nickel wound strings, however, I am a master of little (it has been suggested I may be one at baiting, but I haven't been fishing in years....:hiding: :eek: )

:o ooppsss! sorry! :D

Mo'

:o ooppsss! sorry! :D

Mo'

No biggie!

For the record, on MY Roscoe, I have a set of DR Black Beauties, guages as follows:

.030 .045 .065 .085 .105..125

Love 'em to death! :cool:

:D cool!

I'm using DM SR2000 M-L on my basses, right now. I guess it's what I'm gonna put on my Roscoe, once it gets here!
I'll see.

M

The D'Addario XL nickel strings that came on my Roscoe sounded great and frankly changed my opinion of Ni strings in general (so much so that I bought a replacement set...for future use :D ).

That being said, I am a big fan of DR Low-Riders, just put them on a few weeks ago and am just amazed at the sound and feel.:bassist:

The gauges are 30-45-65-85-105-130.

Shawn

:bassist: I have used just about every brand of string on the market, and the ones mentioned above are all good.

The most amazing string that I have used is the Diadarrio Slow wounds.

They just have a transparent depth to them that none of the others have.

Bright, yet the lows are like a dark cognac on a blustery, rainy night, as you sit by the giant fireplace in your smoking jacket, a hound at your feet, in your castle.

Or something like that. You should try them.:cool:

Ive been using DR Lo Rider Nickles on my basses for a while now. Like the sound and feel, they last a long time, and they arent all that expensive.

Bright, yet the lows are like a dark cognac on a blustery, rainy night, as you sit by the giant fireplace in your smoking jacket, a hound at your feet, in your castle.

Or something like that. You should try them.:cool:


...wow, sounds like you live a pretty pampered existance, Sir Joel! ;)

they last a long tim

...and just how long is a "tim"???

:hiding:


:D

...and just how long is a "tim"???

:hiding:


:D

:scowl: master Gard!.... :smug:

:scowl: master Gard!.... :smug:

At least my last name isn't "Bates"!

:eek:

;)




(I had a very close buddy in college who WAS a Bates, poor bastard...he was a pretty damn good bassist too...)

I recently switched to DR High Beams on mine. So far, I am very happy with the results. I like them better than the D'addarios that I had been using (had a couple of sets to use up).

I use D'Addario XLs. I once put Rotosound Round Wounds Swing Bass strings and hated them. They were too bright sounding, and they were course on my fingers.

I just got home from a meeting in Orlando today and stopped by Bass Central. I bought a set of DR Black Beauties for my fretless SKB-3005. Black strings on a black fingerboard should look cool. Funny. I thought that the sound was the most important thing.:rolleyes:

...and just how long is a "tim"???

:hiding:


:D

HEY!! :mad:

No making fun of me. I was up till 830 this morning, I can have a typo if I want. :D

Ill fix it for you so its better.

;) Gard, life is good:D

Living in a castle isn't all that it's cracked up to be. :hiding: These things are drafty!!

I also sent you an email to you aol account, then remembered that you said to use the other one. Sorry bout that.

It was just regarding the centerpiece of the Joel B coat of arms that you are making.

I find myself getting alone in one of these drafty old rooms, and screaming " AARRGHHH HEHEHEHE YES ARRRGHHH!!"

Two or three times a day now, oh the anticipation. I hate to love it, and I love to hate it.

How does it look? I can hardly wait.:bassist: :bassist: :hyper: :hyper:

I like the strings that came on the LG3005. My first experience with nickel and I think they sound great. I'd like to try the DRs - lots of you guys use them and I don't think I have seen anyone say they don't like them.

I don't think there are too many string manufacturers in the US so it's likely that D'Addario or some other manufacturer is making your strings anyway. D'Addario sound great and are reasonably priced. I don't see the need to go with anything else.

I'm using the TI Superalloy full nickel on my SKB3005 fretless right now and like them the best so far. They're a .045, .065, .080, .105, .125 set.

dude i use d'addario XL. and they sound guuuuuuuuuud.:D

Update on my strings: I purchased DR Black Beauties for my fretless about three months ago. I put them on about two weeks ago, and I don't like them. I find them to be too midrange dominant. I loved the tone of my bass with the D'Addario XLs, so I'm going back to that.

The bass does look real cool with the black diamondwood fingerboard and black strings, but the sound is why we play.

:bassist: I have used just about every brand of string on the market, and the ones mentioned above are all good.

The most amazing string that I have used is the Diadarrio Slow wounds.

They just have a transparent depth to them that none of the others have.

Bright, yet the lows are like a dark cognac on a blustery, rainy night, as you sit by the giant fireplace in your smoking jacket, a hound at your feet, in your castle.

Or something like that. You should try them.:cool:

Joel,
I used the D'addario Slow Wounds for several years. Unfortunately, they discontinued them a couple years ago. I went as far as to e-mail D'addario and actually had a guy whose last name was "D'addario" call me up to explain why they discontinued them. Reason for being discontinued: they make lot's of different strings, they make some very similar, SW's are expensive to make, they didn't sell ton's of them. Bottom line: it's all about making $$$'s. (of course it has to be about making $$$):D

I do really like the Roscoe custom gauged D'addario's though. Much cheaper and great mid tone.
I also love sound of the DR Black Beauties. They do have a great deal of mids but man do they cut through the mix!
However, I'm not crazy about the tacky feel that they have (compare to the D'addario nickle) or how much they cost!:eek:

I just strung mine with Smith Bass Burners yesterday (.035-.130) nickel plated steel. These string are amazing. Not too bright, but with the right amount of zing. I will probably use these from now.

Actually, here are the guages we use (for 6 string, omit strings as appropriate for 5 and 4 strings):

.032 .045 .065 .085 .100 .125

They are indeed D'Addario XL nickel wound strings, however, I am a master of little (it has been suggested I may be one at baiting, but I haven't been fishing in years....:hiding: :eek: )

Question... are the strings that "Roscoe" gets from D'Addario are they bulk sets because they are not he colored ball end kinds you get in the packages when you buy them in guitar shops? Reason I am asking because when I went down to TPB the guys there told me that thats what they where strung with and the ball ends where not colored like every other set of D'Addario strings I have came across. Am I just totally trippen or is James and the guys at TPB swappen strings out on the Roscoe's? :eyebrow:

Peace,

Question... are the strings that "Roscoe" gets from D'Addario are they bulk sets because they are not he colored ball end kinds you get in the packages when you buy them in guitar shops? Reason I am asking because when I went down to TPB the guys there told me that thats what they where strung with and the ball ends where not colored like every other set of D'Addario strings I have came across. Am I just totally trippen or is James and the guys at TPB swappen strings out on the Roscoe's? :eyebrow:

Peace,

James told you right, we use bulk strings (order like 100 of each gauge), so the ball ends are not colored, they're just plain brass.

James told you right, we use bulk strings (order like 100 of each gauge), so the ball ends are not colored, they're just plain brass.

I bet you get those a uber duber low prices at those prices... Less than a $1 a string... you don't have to give an exact about just be like Bob off "The Price Is Right" higher or lower! :p

Peace,

Joel,
I went as far as to e-mail D'addario and actually had a guy whose last name was "D'addario" call me up to explain why they discontinued them.
I actually met old man D'Addario around 1992 or 1993. It was during the time I wasn't playing. I had to go to their house in Long Island. I knew the D'Addario name was familiar to me, but I couldn't place it. Then when I was there, I started talking to either his wife or daughter (I can't remember which) and realized why I should have known the D'Addario name. She told me they started out making strings for double bass.

The house was gorgeous.

i was a d'addario guy, now i use DR fatbeams on my fretted basses and la'bella flats on my fretless.

DR "Long Neck" seem to set my SKB 3006 OFF!!:D Stainless steel "tapered" works for me me. 30, 45, 65, 85, 105, 125

I was reading through this thread again. I haven't removed the Black Beauties yet, but a lot of you guys like the DR Fat Beams or the Low Beams. How do they sound compared to the DR Black Beauties? The Black Beauties are just a little too midrange dominant for me.

Let's keep this thread alive!

What's the difference (how would you describe), soundwise, between D'Addario XL vs. DR Low Rider SS?

M

Let me preface this by saying that I have not used DR Lo Riders for several years, BUUUTTTTT...

I used them exclusively for a couple of years, and this is my opinion.

They had a very nice low mid roundness, and some growl, but when the lows were allowed to resonate, they became a bit muddy. The highs were also, umm... is crisply muddled a term?

I liked them, but there seemed to be a short season that they sounded "Great", but it took a couple of weeks to get there for me, and it faded quickly to " Okay" with a lot of string " Yak" for me. I suppose finger ease would have helped rid the "yak" (my word for calloused fingers sliding over strings and making secondary harmonics), and they may have a different effect on my new bass as well.

The D'addario XL strings seem to have the ability to give very clear lows, puncy/growly mids, and clean/bright but not brittle highs.

I also preffer nickle strings for their inherent ability to reduce string noise.

They seem to last quite a while, and they don't break the bank.

I have used most of the string brands on the market at some time or another, and I always seem to go back to the D'addario strings.

There was a company several years back that made a pretty good string, called snarling dog, but I haven't heard much from them since I moved to Cali.

I am always open to suggestions on strings though. I prefer a high tension string and .45 to .130 or .135 on the B string.

I really like the DR Lo-Rider Nickels I was using. Light gauge (40 - 120)

I'll try the D'addario strings that will come on my new Roscoe next year, and make my decision then which I like better.

I installed some Black Beauties in my Roscoe and truly love them, very sweet and mid-range-y. I don't believe they will be your cup of tea if your looking for sizzling highs and huge bottom, but for solo and chordal work, they rock IMHO.

DR Stainless on the Roscoe = Cool growl, bright, aggressive tone. Harder on the hands and the frets

D'Addario Nickel on the Roscoe = Smooth, slightly compressed tone. Animate but not aggressive tone. Less string noise and a more controlled vibration. Easier on the hands and the frets. Less $:D

I use DR steinlessn steel. I wanted to ask how many of You guys boil your strings when they go dead.

DR Stainless on the Roscoe = Cool growl, bright, aggressive tone. Harder on the hands and the frets

D'Addario Nickel on the Roscoe = Smooth, slightly compressed tone. Animate but not aggressive tone. Less string noise and a more controlled vibration. Easier on the hands and the frets. Less $:D
What could you tell me about Hi-beam, Fat-beam and Lowriders?
Do you have experience with all of these?

Thanks.

M

I use DR steinlessn steel. I wanted to ask how many of You guys boil your strings when they go dead.

Hello, do a search on the strings forum and you will have days of reading material!

I don't boil strings, I think it's silly. I do soak them on alchool, that yes!

M

The alcohol bath is the real deal. I was skeptic, but it will always be a part of my maintenance routine.

What could you tell me about Hi-beam, Fat-beam and Lowriders?
Do you have experience with all of these?

Thanks.

M

Mo,
I tried the DR Hi-beam and Lowriders on my Roscoe's when I had a couple 3006's. I prefered the Lowriders but keep in mind I'm a nickel kind of guy. They just had the nice mid-range tone I like that add's a nice phatness to the tone. The Hi-beams were brighter sounding. Great piano sounding string but didn't quite have the mid's I'm use to hearing. IMO they both feel a bit tacky (I can really feel the windings).

I went back to the D'addario XL nickels primarily because of cost (less than 1/2 the price of the DR's) but also because I equate the roughness of the DR's to premature fretware.

If I could get them at the same price as the D'addario's I'd probably keep a set of the Low riders on one bass though.........

Mo,
I reied the DR Hi-beam and Lowriders on my Roscoe's when I had a couple 3006's. I prefered the Lowriders but keep in mind I'm a nickel kind of guy. They just had the nice mid-range tone I like that add's a nice phatness to the tone. The Hi-beams were brighter sounding. Great piano sounding string but didn't quite have the mid's I'm use to hearing. IMO they both feel a bit tacky (I can really feel the windings).

I went back to the D'addario XL nickels primarily because of cost (less than 1/2 the price of the DR's) but also because I equate the roughness of the DR's to premature fretware.

If I could get them at the same price as the D'addario's I'd probably keep a set of the Low riders on one bass though.........
Thanks Joe,
it's interesting ... I keep trying the nickel, D'Addario are a great deal$$, but I'm not a nickel guy... I've been doing this for ages!!!... I mean going back'n'forth!
So now I have to figure out what SS for my Roscoe... I tried the Sadowsky and they pretty good... I'd like to try the D'Addario Prosteels, also a good deal$$!

M

Hello,
has any body ever tried D'Addario Prosteels on a Roscoe? Just curious...

M

hey guys ...anybody uses rotosound swing bass 66 pure nickel?? 45, 65, 85, 105??? i think is the best strings ....i`ll try in my roscoe lg 3500.....

I was using DR LoRyders and they sounded ok. I recently bought a set of Dean Markely Will Lee Sigs (Stainless Steel) and WOW! The strings bring sooo much more life to the tone and they are about $8 cheaper per set. .o47 - .127

So I recently got my fretless Century 6 back and it had black beauties, per my request, and I have to say, I didn't like em. They sound really good on my F, but on my fretless they just add more mids to an already very mid focused bass. PLus the high C didn't sound so hot. So I switched to good ole D'addario XL's and viola, so much better. Its wierd cuz the BB's sounded great on Gards fretless which is identical to mine, but they didn't cut the mustard on my bass.

So I'm back to my two old standby's: Fodera nickels and XL's

So I recently got my fretless Century 6 back and it had black beauties, per my request, and I have to say, I didn't like em. They sound really good on my F, but on my fretless they just add more mids to an already very mid focused bass. PLus the high C didn't sound so hot. So I switched to good ole D'addario XL's and viola, so much better. Its wierd cuz the BB's sounded great on Gards fretless which is identical to mine, but they didn't cut the mustard on my bass.

So I'm back to my two old standby's: Fodera nickels and XL's

I felt the same way with my fretless too. Too much mids for me. As soon as I put the XLs back on, I had the bass I loved back.

Well I just strung one of my SKB with the Audere with a fresh set of DR Hi Beams 45 - 125s ( I have been using these for the past year) and I am in slap bass heaven. This is the first set of fresh string I have put on the bass since installing the Audere (these DR last me several months, so not bad value for money IMO) and with the treble turned up and a bit of bass boost it is sounding wicked:hyper:

Also - nice and clean and punchy for finger style funk/groove.

Just thought I would share that moment with you:) :hiding:

I use Elixir on my skb 3006. I'll never use anything else. I can only get about 3 hours out of normal strings. The elixirs can easily go 6 months.

I just read on the Dean Markley site that they have a new string coming out called the Alchemy string. It is gold in color, and they worked in conjunction with Anthony Jackson to come up with it.

Stainless steel core, wrapped in this new gold looking stuff.

Have any of you ever tried them?? I don't know about the gold color, but I'm always up for at least one set of anything new, just to check them out.

I just read on the Dean Markley site that they have a new string coming out called the Alchemy string. It is gold in color, and they worked in conjunction with Anthony Jackson to come up with it.

Stainless steel core, wrapped in this new gold looking stuff.

Have any of you ever tried them?? I don't know about the gold color, but I'm always up for at least one set of anything new, just to check them out.

Sorry, but you are confusing the Jackson...:smug: is Randy Jackson :D
No, never tried them!
But I'm using D'Addario Prosteels right now and I love them!

M

I just read on the Dean Markley site that they have a new string coming out called the Alchemy string. It is gold in color, and they worked in conjunction with Anthony Jackson to come up with it.

Stainless steel core, wrapped in this new gold looking stuff.

Have any of you ever tried them?? I don't know about the gold color, but I'm always up for at least one set of anything new, just to check them out.


Joel! Give 'em a try man! If they don't work out, you can always make some different gauged gold necklaces out of 'em and play some disco gigs!:p

....shake, shake, shake......
....shake, shake, shake......

....shake your booty!......:D

Mo,thanks straightening me out on the " Jackson " issue. I keep forgetting that there are more than the " Five" I usually think about. :)

LOL Joe. :D NOW I know what to do with the " Keep on truckin " tee shirt my kids got me for christmas.

Now what did I do with that mercedes hood ornament to wear with these strings??? :confused:

I can also pull out my white platform shoes and wear my big white belt with the three vertical holes and the three belt buckle clasps. ( c'mon, you remember those )

I can also play my favorite theme song. " Who's the baddest mama jamma in da whole wide world? Sho Nuff, dats who "

Black dragon reference. Shaft would have to be my second choice.:ninja:

I just tried Pete Skjold's new strings, and used them one night. Just not my thing, but they are pretty cool.

Very extra stiff though. I will be glad to let anyone who has a Roscoe try them out, mainly because they are cut to Roscoe size. I have a five string set.

I would be glad to let you have them to check out, you may love them. I went back to D'adario XL's.

I seem to always do that. I guess I'm just a nickle man at heart, and ear. :D

How important is it to have a taper to the lower strings (B, E)? Warwick basses have very narrow saddle grooves and require them. Is this the case with a Roscoe?

How important is it to have a taper to the lower strings (B, E)? Warwick basses have very narrow saddle grooves and require them. Is this the case with a Roscoe?

Nope, not important at all, as a matter of fact, it is our experience that they can actually cause intonation issues!

Don't recommend 'em, even though I personally used some (GHS Super Steels) for several years at one point.

I've used DM SR2000 for a long time and never had problem. On my Roscoe they are not a "perfect" match, because of the mid low bump and agressive highs they add to that bass, that has already lots of them, but no intonation issues whatsoever!
On my Sadowsky they work wonderfully. More mids and agressive highs.
Right now I have a set of Fodera SS 40-120.... just great!

BTW Gard, now my Roscoe rocks. (Demeter + Fodera SS + Eden amps) ;)

M

Mo

I want this in writing:D

Mark

:eek:




:D



cough.... cough... ambush... cough... cough.... :p

On the bass in the avitar I use DM will Lee sigs. I like them but want to try a set of pro steels at the new year to see what the diff is (if any). :hyper:

I can tell you, if you want :smug:

DM, low mid growl bump, tiny honky, agressive highs
PS, smoother, less mids, cleaner, sweeter highs

I like both very much.

It really depend on your bass and what you wanna enhance in your sound.

M

Good Thread.
After a shop setup I put a set of DR. Tapered on my Roscoe six string and discovered major intonation problems above the twelfth fret. Took it back to the shop tech to try to figure it out but to no avail. Talked to Gard about it and slapped another set of non tapered strings on and VIOLA!! End of problem. No more tapered strings for my Roscoe.

Tapered strings work best when the tapered portion doesn't start too far from the saddles. Like DM SR2000. If so they will have weird overtones that mess up the intonation. DR longneck have a super long taper. they're good for throught the body or bridges like Warwick...

M

Hi every body,

To me the best strings that I can afford here in South America for long lasting life, delicius touch and sound, are the Elixir Nanoweb .45 -.130TW for my fretted Roscoes. I love the look and sound of DR Black Beauties .45 -.125 for my Roscoe fretless, this is my winning formula.

Bless,

Tommy Julio
www.myspace.com/bajosexclusivos
:bassist: