Anyone compare Rock Masters to Hard Rockin' Steels?

DavePlaysBass · #1 05-29-2008, 11:04 AM

Long time user of Labella looking at Smiths. How do the mids and treble compare? Last? Feel? B strings? I am particularly interested in anyone's experience with a taper core Smith 125 or 130 B string.

Thanks,
Dave

Hoover · #2 05-29-2008, 05:59 PM

I've been using Smith Rockmasters since 1985, including a taper core .130 low B on my Modulus 6-string. Back in '85 I tried a lot of different roundwound strings (including LaBella, though I can't swear they were the Hard Rockin' Steels) since I had access to all different brands via my job in a music store, and the Smiths to me were the set that maintained their positive attributes the longest. LaBellas (and most other roundwound brands) seemed to lose their "zing" much sooner than the Smiths. Even now I find I can go for months with the same set of Smith Rockmasters and still have the same brightness, punch, accurate intonation, and even tone across all registers that they did when they were two weeks old.

rokkitt · #3 05-29-2008, 06:15 PM

I have used hard rockin steeles.....they seem good to me,

but I never tried the other brand.....may be I should...

al

James Hart · #4 05-29-2008, 06:24 PM

I used the Smiths for years... great strings. I play HRS now.... they last me 4 to 6 months a set.

DavePlaysBass · #5 05-30-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I used the Smiths for years... great strings. I play HRS now.... they last me 4 to 6 months a set.

Any B string experience on a 34" scale instrument? Thanks.

Dave

James Hart · #6 05-30-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

Any B string experience on a 34" scale instrument? Thanks.

Dave

all my basses are 34" with a low B... except my 4 with is 32".

I use light sets of HRS these days.... .118 B and .095 E

I've no want for better basses / strings... They work perfect for me.

DavePlaysBass · #7 05-30-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I use light sets of HRS these days.... .118 B and .095 E

I've no want for better basses / strings... They work perfect for me.

You know I have a similiar feeling when I put together a custom gauge set of HRS (45, 65, 80, 100, 128T). My Sadowsky RV5 just sings with these.

I guess I will try the Pedulla variation on the HRS (assuming that to be true) because they come in exactly the gauge I am fishing for. The Just Strings single pricing is high but I guess is another option.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Dave

James Hart · #8 05-30-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

The Just Strings single pricing is high but I guess is another option.

I get mine from www.bigcitystrings.com maybe they can hook you up with custom sets in the gauge you need.

DavePlaysBass · #9 05-30-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I get mine from www.bigcitystrings.com maybe they can hook you up with custom sets in the gauge you need.

They are a good place. The guy who owns the place is an approachable guy. Good suggestion.

CElton · #10 06-11-2008, 09:32 AM

I have a couple of questions on the Hard Rockin' Steels.

Do I need to order Extra Long to fit a 35" scale?

Has anyone tried these on a L2500 Tribute through body? If so, again, do I need extra long?

Thanks...

pickles · #11 06-11-2008, 08:02 PM

Jeez ... its been a while for me, but yes, I've used Rock Masters. I liked them a lot on a 34" fretless 5 I had.

I really think its going to beat HRS though. What is is you don't like about the labellas?

pickles · #12 06-11-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

I have a couple of questions on the Hard Rockin' Steels.

Do I need to order Extra Long to fit a 35" scale?

Has anyone tried these on a L2500 Tribute through body? If so, again, do I need extra long?

Thanks...

I use a normal set on my 35" Lakland 5. I string through the bridge. They would not work through-body, but through-body has no significant benefit anyway.

CElton · #13 06-12-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

I use a normal set on my 35" Lakland 5. I string through the bridge. They would not work through-body, but through-body has no significant benefit anyway.

Thanks Dave. I haven't strung through the body since the original set. I'll give 'em a shot.

pickles · #14 06-12-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

Thanks Dave. I haven't strung through the body since the original set. I'll give 'em a shot.

If they're going on that DJ5 in your avatar -- you're in for a treat

DavePlaysBass · #15 06-12-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

I really think its going to beat HRS though. What is is you don't like about the labellas?

I am getting picky but I like a 45-65-80-100 set. I put a 45-65-85-105 set on and the E was just too thuddy for my liking especially as I went up the neck. I replaced the A and E with a 80 and 100 I took from a 40-100 set and I was happy.

I love the Labella B. I hear that Pedulla may be the same and they do sell a five string set in my preferred gauges.

pickles · #16 06-13-2008, 07:49 AM

Yea I'm pretty sure the pedullas are identical to HRS. Maybe slightly customized ... nice strings.

Is your E string non-tapered? They recently changed HRS to a non taper E and I am SO BUMMED!

DavePlaysBass · #17 06-13-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

Yea I'm pretty sure the pedullas are identical to HRS. Maybe slightly customized ... nice strings.

Is your E string non-tapered? They recently changed HRS to a non taper E and I am SO BUMMED!

The 105 E was untapered. The untapered 100 E had noticable defintion improvement. But I do not like 40 and 60 for the D and G. I have wondered if I should try Supersteps. Everyone says they are super bright and I have no desire to get brighter. Just more definition / consistency on the low E from the 5th to the 12th fret.

pickles · #18 06-14-2008, 08:27 AM

Yep, they ruined that set. The tapered E was awesome! I emailed eric cocco and he said I could order them with B E A tapered, but that I'd have to get 12 sets. Maybe if enough people here wanted to try a set like that we could go in on it together.

In the meantime I'm going to try slappers again. Last time I used them the B, E, A, D were tapered and they're killer. The super steps are exposed core, I like them a lot less. They're almost identical to dean markley SR2000s.

DavePlaysBass · #19 06-14-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

Yep, they ruined that set. The tapered E was awesome! I emailed eric cocco and he said I could order them with B E A tapered, but that I'd have to get 12 sets. Maybe if enough people here wanted to try a set like that we could go in on it together.

I would only be good for one set given I have never played them. I wonder if Big City Strings would be interested in getting sets of them like that. They are very easy to work with.

I will say though the 100 E was a noticable improvement. As I crawled up the neck the 105 E sound thuddy and mis matched for the rest of the set. Eventually I said to hell with waisting a 40-100 set and stole the 80 and 100 out of it.

On a different note I threw 760FLs on my P bass for some rootsy church stuff with acoustic guitars and I am in P bass heaven right now.