another "what strings should I buy" thread

[40Hz_of_Love]

Okay, I know this question is asked here very often but I'm really desperate. I've read many contradictory reviews of different brands and I don't know what to think and I don't have the money to try all brands and test them myself.

Anyway.

What I'm looking for are strings that:

1. are both bright and full of mid-range
2. sound growly and crunchy, not smooth
3. won't die on me in 2 weeks

I think I like the sound of steel strings more than nickel but on the other hand I only tried one brand of nickel strings - DR Sunbeams. They sound really nice, but it's not my sound - too dark and too smooth.

Waiting for your suggestions.

Cheers.

[robb.]

i tried labella hard rockin' steels on my cirrus BXP. the sound i got is exactly what you've described. it is both bright and full of midrange complexity. it has tons of growl.

i used the bass player string comparison as my guide, and it definitely was helpful. the descriptions and and the harmonic content bar graphs really helped me see what i was looking for. previous to reading that, i had a lot of trouble trying to get ideas for strings apart from, "i tried 'em. i like 'em."

robb.

[SundanceChile]

Try DR Hi-Beams.

[MrHarrison]

I guess I gotta chime in with GHS Boomers, med. gauge. $15 at GC if you don't mind dropping them some money, so it's not a big investment to see if you like them. I usually play heavy gauge but switched over and got a really nice growl outta them.

[RKB900player]

D'addario prosteels....if you don't mind how rough they feel. I find them amazing for bright & midrangey growl. I've used GHS, Ernie Ball slinkys and Elixirs, and I think that the D'addarios sound best for that tone. And not to mention they're pretty cheap. I play heavily disorted riffs with tons of overdrive....you can't beat these strings for heavy music.

[DavidRavenMoon]

I second the D'addario recommendation. I mostly use Nickel XL's, but I've also used the ProSteels from time to time. I mostly use XL's because I get the twin pack.

The ProSteels are brighter and crunchier, and both strings last forever.

I've had a set on my bass like 6 months now and haven't had to change them! After the initial new string tone wears off, they sound consistent as long as you have them on the bass. And brand new they are only slightly brighter.

6 months old and the strings sound like this

LaBellas are good also.

[droskobass]

d'addario, XL's the double pack nickel the only string ever 45-105
I've tried everything they are the most musical (IMO) and won't kill your fretts.

lots of zing and snap just follow 4 rules (RELIGIOUSLY) to maximize string life(if you really care):

-wash your hands before you play (every time)
- wipe your whole bass down with a clean t shirt after a gig or jam
- keep your bass in the case away from dust and grease in the air.
- (don't let anyone else ever play your bass) (they have different chemistry that you and may kill your strings)

[Koki]

Originally Posted by 40Hz_of_Love

1. are both bright and full of mid-range
2. sound growly and crunchy, not smooth
3. won't die on me in 2 weeks

sounds like you're looking for ROTOSOUND to me. They are all but smooth, very harsh strings and they last forever

[DavePlaysBass]

To my ears Pro Steels have mid scoop that was not present in LaBella HRS. LaBella HRS had a very nice high mid bump that cut thru without being harsh. TI Superalloys are on a tad on the dark side but they have a low mid hump that will knock you socks off. And they supposedly last forever. I have not played mine long enough to comment. DA XLs have nice mids and are a balance between HRS and Superalloys IME.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

To my ears Pro Steels have mid scoop that was not present in LaBella HRS. LaBella HRS had a very nice high mid bump that cut thru without being harsh. TI Superalloys are on a tad on the dark side but they have a low mid hump that will knock you socks off. And they supposedly last forever. I have not played mine long enough to comment. DA XLs have nice mids and are a balance between HRS and Superalloys IME.

I agree on all points. I really do love the mids on the XL's.

I read god things about the new Dunlop strings.... the Stainless are supposed to sound more like nickels (warmer mids), and vice versa.

[40Hz_of_Love]

Thanks, everybody!

[40Hz_of_Love]

Sorry to dig up a thread from last year but I've been playing with La Bella HRSs since a couple of weeks and this is what I've got to say:

If you're looking for strings that will make your bass sound like a hungry dinosaur - go for HRSs.



So - robb & DavePlaysBass - thanks a lot! I just love those strings!

[plastik-bass[?]]

so would these sound good for a Hard Rock/Alt/Prog Rock band?

[40Hz_of_Love]

Totally. It's like most strings I've tried sound like this: "phooom phoom phoom". But with HRSs I get this: "rawrrrrr rrrrr wrrrr".

The only downside is that they're pretty hard to my fingers (and by that I mean blisters) but I'm getting used to it.

[plastik-bass[?]]

I've already got some tough fingers...i might have to try some. After using the same pair of strings for over a year now im finally in the market for new ones XD

[40Hz_of_Love]

Well, I thought my fingers are tough too... :/

Seems like nickels spoiled me...

[plastik-bass[?]]

lol right now im using EB Slinkys which are nickel :/ but i dig in real hard when i play...maybe that will help me a little