Are all D'addario XL's like this?

Jools4001 · #1 04-04-2010, 06:18 AM

Called into a store yesterday (there's not many music stores left these days) to get some new strings ahead of a gig. I decided to replace the Elixirs on my fretless 5. The Elixirs are nearly a year old and even with the coating that keeps them sounding fresh for lots longer they're getting quite dead sounding, and the coating is wearing off where I pluck the strings. I also decided to replace the 3 month old DR's on my Rick, 'cos they've lost their crisp zing.

I was a bit dismayed to find that all the store had in stock were D'addario XL's, I've never used them before and I would have liked a bit more choice but...

Anyway, I figured that although the nickel wouldn't be as bright as I'd like for my Rick, it would still be better than dead strings and with a slitghtly mellower sound they would probably be OK for my fretless. I also reckoned that in 40 years I've never made a bass sound worse by putting new strings on it...until now!

OK, they were relatively cheap, probably half the cost of DR's and Elixirs, but both the 5 string set and the 4 string set are a real let down. There used to be a nice balanced sound across the strings on both basses with the fretless having a nice growly bottom end on the E and B strings, notes played on those strings have all but disappeared...all they seem to produce is a compressed flubby sound without any character or volume, they're about 10% down compared to the volume on the A, D & G. The A, D & G strings are louder but seem to have a nasty midrange honk that no amount of EQ-ing can get rid of.

I would have reckoned on just having a bad set, but the same is true of the 4 string set I put on my Rick, the E string is feeble (and no, it's not one of those Ricks with a weak E-string issue) and they have the same nasty mid range that doesn't seem to get dialled out no matter what.

I've tweaked truss rods so that the action is the same as it used to be on both basses, and I've adjusted pup heights, but I can't get the strings to speak evenly...I've tried literally hundreds of strings in the years I've been playing and apart from the ocassional defective string I've always had that big 'new strings' grin before, and this is the first time that I'm actually considering putting the old strings back on.

Like I said, they were relatively cheap but the two sets still ran me aound $65, so it's not the sort of cash I want to just throw away. Anybody got any ideas before they hit the trash can...do they improve with a few more hours playing? Or do they just sound like this until they die?

Shmone · #2 04-04-2010, 06:47 AM

When I stringed my wick with XL's they sounded terrible for the first hours,
but they get better after a few hours IMO, worth trying atleast.

PilbaraBass · #3 04-04-2010, 06:51 AM

have you set the E & B strings into the bridge saddles properly?

I almost always use D'Add XL's and I don't have any problems, unless I don't firmly press down on the E&B in front of the bridge saddle to get a good, solid witness point. Otherwise, you get a dull-sounding E or B and you're like "what the?"

You WILL find, however, that Elixers & D'Add XL's are worlds apart tonewise. I prefer the XL's myself, but to each his own.

Jools4001 · #4 04-06-2010, 02:36 AM

Thanks all...witness points are fine I always give the strings a good hard press either side of the bridge saddle once the string is up to pitch.

Thankfully, after around 5-6 hours playing the strings have lost that nasal midrange and are starting to develop some bass end growl...weird, I'm used to strings that lose their initial top end clank, but never had strings that needed to be played in before they bloom before.

Still not my favourite string but like I said, bit of a hobsons choice if I wanted new strings at all. Planning ahead and buying a few sets of my faves online is the lesson learned.

dave_bass5 · #5 04-08-2010, 03:40 AM

I used to love Elixirs but have gone offf them these days. My fav strings are XL's and they do sound very different, as already mentioned.
I find they aren't as bright as some strings, even when new, but i do like the slightly middy tone they produce and they seem to work very well for me.
I also find the tension is perfect.

Jools4001 · #6 04-08-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

I used to love Elixirs but have gone offf them these days.

Yes, I know what you mean. I only use them for my fretless, the coating on the strings seems less aggressive on the fingerboard than standard rounds and the slippery feel of Elixirs suits the nature of fretless. They also sound really good on my particular fretless and last a long time.

I use stainless Elites on all my other basses because they're the best bang for buck string that I've found for my tastes, but I usually treat my Rick to DR's because it's special (my first quality bass that's been with me for 33 years now)

darkstorm · #7 04-09-2010, 08:26 AM

Their sound to me is pretty much like you descibe for bass midrange and lack of char. too smooth with honky midrange. For both bass and guitar versions. But they work well for some. Might try GHS boomers, rotosound swing, or dean markley blue steel. The latter to me need breakin to tame the upper treble. They do however have crack of thunder bass right from the start.

millsbass5 · #8 04-09-2010, 08:45 AM

In all my years of playing (31 years!),I have NEVER,EVER run upon a new,bad set/batch of strings. And that's coming from someone who changes strings every 2 weeks, religiously,on at least 2 of my basses.
I most certainly would wholeheartedly endorse/vouch for the brand you are referring to. It's one of 2 brands that I use. The other brand being the Dr brand.