Howdy -

I'm planning to try out some nylon weedwhackers for Bluegrass use and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

I'm specifically looking at the Hillbilly Slap Strings (http://www.traditionmusic.com/hbss.html) or Salty Dogg's (http://cgi.ebay.com/Salty-Dogg-Upright-Bass-Strings-Nylon-weedwacker-style_W0QQitemZ180121525979QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1622 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

I'm flexible and not necessarily limited to one of these two, but these seem to be the more popular ones.

Also, for anyone who's using them (or has used them), can they be bowed at all? It's not critical, but would be nice.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks,

Shane O.

They work pretty good, esp. if you slap, as they are very light tension. The E&A sounded a little quiter than the D&G to me, so I use steels for the E&A. They sound very similar to plain guts, esp. amplified.

They will bow, but you have to build up some rosin on 'em. I'm not an arco expert, so I can't comment on the bowed tone, but it works for my limited bowing purposes.

They do stretch, and will take a week or two to settle down and hold a tune. I reccomend the Hillbilly Slaps. The knots are tied better, the price is right, and Barefoot Larry is a great guy.

Another vote for Barefoot Larry's HBSS..

Also, for your consideration by Innovation:

1. Rockabillys which are black nylon wound braided rope core (not to be confused and are often mistaken for the Labella black tape)

2. Super Silvers which are braided rope core uniform silver color

3. Super Silver Slaps which are braided rope core but the G and D have sort of a golden tint

http://www.innovationstrings.com/inncat.htm for more details . . .

I bought a set from baritoneman, (eBay) out of CA for about $25 and put them on a loaner EC-1. I never tried bowing them until it was time to take them off and return the bass. I picked up my daughter's bow that came with her Barbie Fiddle, and man, those strings started moving. You'll need to raise the action up a bit to keep the E and A from hitting the FB. I bet the strings were orbitting, (or figure 8's) at least 1-1/2". They were much louder arco than pizz. It took about three weeks for them to play in. They strech a lot in the beginning. Mine were nylon over Kevlar core. The E is very fat and a little floppy, but it works. Definitely worth a try at $25.:)

I have used the Innovation RAB strings, which are pretty good but a bit too clacky on the slaps. I replaced them with HBSS from Larry about a year ago, these are quite a bit looser and slap well without being too clacky. The slight loss in volume of the E and A strings is not noticeable when amplified - and lets be honest, we all amp up don't we??

I use a K&K RAB pickup system thru' a Roland 100w cube, and line out to the desk - it all works well

and lets be honest, we all amp up don't we??No. Some of us don't slap, either.

I don't amp up, but do send a signal to the PA, and yes, I slap my bass every chance I get!

The 'wackers do sound better plugged in than acoustic.

I tried a set of the Hillbilly Slaps on my cheap bass and love them. If you are looking for more volume they fall short, but more than make up for it in ease of playing and tone. It records like a different bass now. A much better sound than with steel strings. My E string is noticeable lower in volume than the other 3 strings though and I have considered replacing that one string. Bass is not my main instrument and therefore do not have the strength or calluses that most bassist do. However with these strings I can play bass all night when the opportunity arises without cramps or blisters. They are very affordable too.

I put a full set of weeders on my bass and I lost almost all of the volume on the E and A strings. I then left the G and D strings as weeders and put back the steels on E and A. Works great for me. Good luck!

I put a set on my strunal , an love them , but the e string is not as loud, they made a huge difference in my bass

If you're playing bluegrass, it's hard to beat Inovation Super Silvers. They are gut tone, gut feel, affordable, durable, loud, and easy on the hands. I'm sure they're not as cheap as weedwhacker string, but you get what you pay for. I put a set on about 18 months ago. I tried a couple other types of strings during that time, but I keep putting the SS's back on my bass. (1952 Kay M-1).