which brands retain their "new string" sound the longest in you're opinion?

Triclops · #1 03-08-2006, 04:59 PM

.................

Jazzin' · #2 03-08-2006, 05:10 PM

DR has a good reputation for this, I'd agree with it.

ArwinH · #3 03-08-2006, 06:38 PM

Dr's have a much brighter initial sound, that wears off in a couple weeks. The sound they develop after that, which is still plenty bright, lasts for months and months.....about six months IME.

Triclops · #4 03-08-2006, 06:43 PM

dr eh? hmmmm.....what about ernie ball super slinkys?

scottbass · #5 03-08-2006, 07:57 PM

I'm a Stingray guy. I have an original and an OLP knockoff. I USED to use super slinkys...until I tried DR's. I don't think I will ever find a sting I like better - SERIOUSLY! I use DR Sunbeams, but others like the hibeams or some other version. Just make sure and follow the directions in the box - put a kink in them just below where you cut them to prevent them from unwinding.

Figjam · #6 03-08-2006, 08:06 PM

Used to be a DR guy. Im converting to Ernie Balls now. I used to use stainless DRs but ive grown tired of the super pingy tone they gave me in the high registers. Nickel strings have much warmer highs, and Ernie Balls nickels are great.

scottbass · #7 03-08-2006, 08:24 PM

Figjam - have you tried the DR nickels? Sunbeams and Lo-Riders are the two types of DR nickels. I use DR Sunbeams, which are compresion wound on round cores. Lots of folks like the Lo-Riders, which are wound on Hexagonal cores.

Arthur U. Poon · #8 03-08-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triclops

dr eh? hmmmm.....what about ernie ball super slinkys?

I put a set of EB Slinkys on my Lull M5V and they kept their "zing" for over a month. For me, this is more of a lifespan that I'm accustomed to. I was very impressed with their lifespan.

I'm more of a D'Addario guy, so when my Slinkys went dead I replaced them with the D'Addario XL170-5SL set. I was surprised the XL's didn't sound quite as bright right out of the package compared to the Slinkys when they were new.

But I prefer the XL's tension and I like the sound of it's B-string better. I'll most likely keep using the D'Addario's, they're my favorite brand of strings.

basseuphoria · #9 03-08-2006, 09:38 PM

peavey cirrus nickels. came w/ my bass when i bought it last april. still using them and still have all the 'zing' i could ask for and my hands are super sweaty.

agplate · #10 03-09-2006, 09:40 AM

In my experience, EB Slinkys are really good when you get a good set made on a good day. However, they seem to be more prone to having a dead string in the set or like my most recent set, were all virtually dead on arrival. But I've also had very long lasting Slinkys too. I feel they are very hit and miss in their initial quality. I'm now trying DR's for the first time today on my Stingray and Bongo. Will give you my experience later.

poptart · #11 03-09-2006, 09:45 AM

I have just started using DR's and so far seem to be getting good milage out if them - expensive but last well. There are a few different types so get some info first for your choice.

Niskamies · #12 03-09-2006, 10:02 AM

Definitely Elixir!

ge9375 · #13 03-09-2006, 10:57 AM

Whatever came with my Ibanez-SRX705 seems to have not degraded much.

My guess is that everyone's fingers "contribute" differently to the strings. Is it possible that one persons's long-lasting strings might be something that loses its tone quickly for another? I wash my hands right before playing whenever possible, and I believe that helps. For me, the asnwer is NOT Dean Markley Blue Steel..... I LOVE those strings fresh, but they don't stay fresh very long.....

Tony G · #14 03-09-2006, 11:04 AM

I think some of the longest lasting strings I've ever played are Dean Markley Blue Steels.

ge9375 · #15 03-09-2006, 02:50 PM

Don't get me wrong, the Blue Steels last for me, they just lose that out-of-the-box flair after about 4 weeks. After that, they get dull maybe 6 months later. (Maybe I've got grimy fingers).

Figjam · #16 03-09-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

Figjam - have you tried the DR nickels? Sunbeams and Lo-Riders are the two types of DR nickels. I use DR Sunbeams, which are compresion wound on round cores. Lots of folks like the Lo-Riders, which are wound on Hexagonal cores.

Nope. Ive tried sadowsky nickels which are hex core also.

XansNiceSweater · #17 03-11-2006, 06:58 PM

I've actually noticed that the Blue Steels don't stay bright for too long.

chilliwilli · #18 03-11-2006, 07:41 PM

DR Hi Beams and DR Lo Riders

chilliwilli · #19 03-11-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XansNiceSweater

I've actually noticed that the Blue Steels don't stay bright for too long.

They dont DR HIbeams are similar, but keep the new sound longer and just sound better to begin with i think

chilliwilli · #20 03-11-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poptart

I have just started using DR's and so far seem to be getting good milage out if them - expensive but last well. There are a few different types so get some info first for your choice.

www.stringdeals.com is the cheapest ive found online