Best Roundwounds

bassman03 · #1 01-20-2009, 09:51 PM

Ok, so i may just suck at searching, but yes, i did search and didn't come up w/ my question.

So, I need new strings, and my question is, in general, what are the best roundwounds? Preferably 45-100 or a little bigger, but not much. My band plays a lot of Aearosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, that kind of stuff, but i play more stuff than that when i'm by myself. I've been think Ernie Ball ones, 45-100. But i'm not much of a wise guy with strings, so suggestions would be nice. Thanks!

Clammy · #2 01-20-2009, 10:33 PM

My favourite round wounds are Dean Markley Super Round in medium gauge (.050 - .105). They're available in lighter gauges too. My second favourites are GHS Boomers, also in medium gauge.

I play in a Speed Metal band, and beat the snot out of my strings, and these two have always delivered the goods. No breakage and they stay bright and tight even after a few gigs of being pounded on and me sweating all over them. I prefer the feel of the Dean Markleys, and always choose them first. If I can't get them for some reason, i go with the Boomers.

I'd suggest you try out a few different brands and see what your fingers and ears tell you.

Cheers!

DaveF · #3 01-20-2009, 10:40 PM

I like D'addarios. They're really consistent. They also seem to last pretty long!

Holy War · #4 01-20-2009, 10:54 PM

youre going to get a different answer from everyone who posts in this thread.....

that being said, I like Rotosound's SS-66s 45-105

TC2112 · #5 01-21-2009, 01:24 AM

try webstrings (dot) com I just discovered them tonight. great prices on what reviewers say are great strings (even a few TBers). It will give you a chance to at least try out a few different types and gauges and see what feels good to you before you spend big money on name brand sets.

Deacon_Blues · #6 01-21-2009, 04:34 AM

Ask for the "best" on anything and you will get only different answers.

Just try a brand. Like it? Good. Don't like it? Try another set next time, rounds don't last for very long anyway. The strings aren't the biggest deal in one's sound, although I admit I've fallen deeply in love with my Pyramid Golds (flats)...

People say nice things about TI (Thomastik-Infeld) roundwounds. Same story with the DR strings. Those aren't in the cheaper end though.

The only strings I don't recommend to anyone are the Warwick strings. They feel like sanding paper and have a terribly short life. Which in one way was good because then I had a reason to change them quickly...

Geddy Claypool · #7 01-21-2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holy War

youre going to get a different answer from everyone who posts in this thread.....

that being said, I like Rotosound's SS-66s 45-105

+1.....growl mania man.

Phalex · #8 01-21-2009, 06:15 AM

I'm a big fan of GHS Boomers. Not overly bright, good tension, fairly inexpensive, and most importantly, they make a Rickenbacker sound like I think a Rickenbacker should.

It's really a combination of the bass and the strings and how the two work together. I may think that my favorite strings sound like crap on a different bass. (As a matter of fact, I don't like them at all on my P)

Of course: IMHO & YMMV

Deacon_Blues · #9 01-21-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

It's really a combination of the bass and the strings and how the two work together.

The pickups need to be mentioned separately IMO. They make a big difference.

Qvist · #10 01-21-2009, 06:46 AM

I found the DR-Lo-Riders 0.45 - 100 as gnarly as the Rotosound SS66 and they even lasted longer, so I suggest them

bassman03 · #11 01-21-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holy War

youre going to get a different answer from everyone who posts in this thread.....

that being said, I like Rotosound's SS-66s 45-105

I know, that's why i asked so i had better ideas of what was good. Thanks for them so far guys, i'll check them out

Low Main · #12 01-21-2009, 07:43 AM

I think GHS makes nice strings (for the most part) and they are very nice folks, but I can't use their strings on a 34" scale bass.

A while back, GHS increased their winding length for standard long scale (34") strings from 36.5" to 38". (The winding length is the length of the string that carries the full wrap thickness.)

This means you end up winding the fully wrapped body of the string around the tuning post on your E string and maybe your G string as well if your headstock is 2+2 instead of 4 in line. Not something I'm interested in.

Big mistake to increase that winding length. I've talked to them about it, they understand the problem, but they're not going to do anything about it. They claim that one of their biggest private label accounts "made" them increase the winding length to 38" for the strings he sells under his name, and they just figured they would go 38" on all their standard long scale strings. What the heck, why not simplify your life, eh?

Online retailers list GHS strings with a 36.5" winding length. They had no idea that GHS made the change because GHS never told them. If you call GHS, they can't tell you what the winding length is over the phone. They have to go look. So there is no one with a definitive answer on this on any given day.

There are too many non-Mickey Mouse companies making nice strings out there that can actually discuss their products intelligently when you call them for me to waste my time with this kind of a situation.

Phalex · #13 01-21-2009, 07:54 AM

A while back, GHS increased their winding length for standard long scale (34") strings from 36.5" to 38".

Ya know, I never noticed that! I always bought the extra long sets anyway, because I think they look better on my Ric. They make a straight line between silk and steel about a 1" behind the nut.

stflbn · #14 01-21-2009, 08:01 AM

You're going to get 50 different varied answers...

to help prove the point I definitely suggest S.I.T. Power Steel, Power Nickel, or Rock Brights.

VroomVroom · #15 01-21-2009, 08:34 AM

As suggested, there are a gazillion "right" answers to this question. I've tried dozens of different strings over the years, and I still experiment now and then. For many years my absolute go-to was the Markley SR-2000 Will Lee set. Loved the feel, durability, and just the right amount of brightness. Since their relationship has ended, I'm still on the Markley vibe, but this time with MTD strings. Love 'em. As a backup I go with Ken Smith. Good luck with your hunt...

bassbully · #16 01-21-2009, 09:17 AM

People say nice things about TI (Thomastik-Infeld) roundwounds. Same story with the DR strings. Those aren't in the cheaper end though.

I agree on the TI's
I like the TI powerbass alot. I put them on my Classic 50's P bass and they feel, play and sound awsome.

Surly · #17 02-03-2009, 09:05 AM

So far I've tried, but not all on the same bass:

Ernie Ball Slinkys
Fender 8250
D'Addario
DR Lo-riders
DR Sunbeams

I thought 8250's on my P were my favorite until I tried the Lo-riders.
Now I want another set!
Nickel Lo-riders may be my string for life!

John Wentzien · #18 02-03-2009, 09:37 AM

Another webstring guy here....(Rotosound user for over 30 years)
For the money the best I think. The meduim set is guaged just like Rotos 45-105 (with an 80 for the A string)
They make SS and nickel.

Ric5 · #19 02-03-2009, 09:46 AM

My Favorite strings in the 70s were Rotosounds, In the 80s Kahman, in the 90s DR, in the 2000s Copley, Also D'Addario, Carvin, and others make good strings ...

Since I have 13 5 string basses I like to get 5 string sets cheap and in quanity.

JustStrings and Alice strings are big disappointments with strings that are dead right out of the box.

Amitio · #20 02-03-2009, 10:04 AM

I use elites player series. there nickel wound and sound good to me. plus there cheap.