Cheap String Shootout

[KingRazor]

Fender Steels/Nickel-plated
D'Addario XLs/ProSteels
Dunlop Nickels/Steels
Ernie Ball Nickels/Steels
GHS Boomers Nickels/Steels

I realize this list doesn't represent every brand that makes 4-string sets for under $20, but these seem to be some of the most common.

What do you think of each of these?

Out of all of these I've only tried D'Addario ProSteels. The tone is a bit bright and clangy for me with a lot of harmonic overtones (and not the good kind). But they're not a bad string by any means, they're nice and flexible and give you all the brightness you could ever want and then some. The high strings feel a little too stiff for me, and the low strings could feel a little more stiff.

I'd give D'Addarios a 7 out of 10. I realize in our world nowadays, anything less than a 10 out of 10 is garbage, but I think as long as a string scores a 5 or better, they're good.

What do you guys think of the various "budget" strings out there?

[MattyH]

I usually stick with The $25 Blue Steels, but I've used some of these too.

I agree with the D'Addario's. I had to buy them once when I was in a string pickle and the smaller music store I was near didn't carry my usual string. I felt like they took FOREVER to break in. They stayed clanky for so long. Eventually took them off after about a week. But they seems like a solid durable string.

I absolutely HATE Ernie Balls. They nail everything from their g***ars and basses, to their strap locks, but my god, I do hate their strings. EB Strings are the only sets I've ever broken while playing(E unwound at the bridge, and 2 G's snapped) And they turn to crap after a month.

I liked the GHS, but after hearing so much hype for them they fell a little flat when I finally tried them. I was a little disappointed, but they get a very specific tone, and I understand why people like them.

I used a set of Fenders once, but I don't remember what type. I remember them being good. Not great, but not a terrible string either. Definitely a good deal from what I can remember.

Never tried the Dunlop. Man, this post makes me want to go out and re-string by boys with new Blue Steels! I love em!

[lmfreeman9]

I like the Dunlop nickels, very good string for the money. Recently on sale 4 sets for $36 at Strings and Beyond and some guys are selling off some they bought on the classifieds for $12-$15. Also, naked strings are supposedly very good for a similar price everyday.

[KingRazor]

I use Circle K strings now, but they are not a budget string. I paid $36 for my 5-string set.

I like balanced tension across my strings, and I've looked at the gauges of most string manufacturers and they rarely offer very balanced tension.

I say in general if you want good balance, the 45-105 sets are generally the best you can get. The D string will be a little heavy, but overall the tension is pretty close for each string. D'Addario I think is the best in this department with their 40-100 and 35-95 gauge sets.

Of course, if you're as obsessed about tension balance as I am you can build a set from single strings.

I think D'Addario ProSteels last about 6 months before they really go dead. You can help prolong their life by wiping the strings down or using the denatured alcohol soak (might bring back too much brightness!)

I haven't heard anything good about Ernie Ball really. Not a brand I plan on ever trying, I think.

Dunlops seem to be the way to go if you're on a budget, what with their crazy deals you see online sometimes.

[F-Clef-Jef]

I think you should put a set of Naked Strings in there, 1/2 the price of most of those listed. I'd be interested to see how they stack up. They've been working out very well for me.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by F-Clef-Jef

I think you should put a set of Naked Strings in there, 1/2 the price of most of those listed. I'd be interested to see how they stack up. They've been working out very well for me.

The goal is strings that you can pick up at most music shops. I haven't seen naked strings available at any of my local shops.

[lmfreeman9]

PS: Flatwounds are the cheapest because they last forever.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

PS: Flatwounds are the cheapest because they last forever.

If only they sounded good. Flats just seem to suck the tone out of the instrument, they sound dull and dead. I'm just a roundwound kind of guy.

[Blues Bass Man]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

If only they sounded good. Flats just seem to suck the tone out of the instrument, they sound dull and dead. I'm just a roundwound kind of guy.

This is just not true. I play in two bands....One a Blues band, the other is a Classic Rock band. In the Classic Rock band I need to cover a lot of different styles....I use Roundwounds in that band (GHS Bass Boomers on a Fender P, and DR Highbeams on a Fender J)....I can cover so much ground with the Roundwounds, but when it comes to playing Trad. Blues only Flatwounds work for me (D'addario Chromes on a Fender P). I've gotten more compliments on my tone when playing on Flatwounds than I've ever got playing Roundwounds....it's just a different tone. Also, if they ever invent a Flatwound string that last forever....please let me know....I've never had a set of Flats that lasted more than a couple years without having intonation issues.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Blues Bass Man

This is just not true. I play in two bands....One a Blues band, the other is a Classic Rock band. In the Classic Rock band I need to cover a lot of different styles....I use Roundwounds in that band (GHS Bass Boomers on a Fender P, and DR Highbeams on a Fender J)....I can cover so much ground with the Roundwounds, but when it comes to playing Trad. Blues only Flatwounds work for me (D'addario Chromes on a Fender P). I've gotten more compliments on my tone when playing on Flatwounds than I've ever got playing Roundwounds....it's just a different tone. Also, if they ever invent a Flatwound string that last forever....please let me know....I've never had a set of Flats that lasted more than a couple years without having intonation issues.

Every time I've ever heard a recording of a bass played on flats, and the few times I've played them myself, they just sounded lifeless.

I like a warm, smooth tone, but I think flats go too far.

[EagleMoon]

Of all of those choices, the only ones I think are half decent are the ProSteels. I've used those quite a bit. The others tend to be more dull and lifeless, IMO. In order of how I would rate them, it would be this way:

D'Addario ProSteels
Dunlop Nickel plated Steel
Ernie Ball nickels
GHS Boomers
D'Addario XL nickels

[chuck norriss]

rotosound 66's are also inexpensive. The tension & width on this set (45--105) was slightly more than what I'm used to: GHS flats. They sound good so far. I have them on a 1970 Aria jazz bass.

[Martin89]

I really like D'addarios for the price, they seem to have a lot of life in them. They aren't the best feeling but I'm happy with the sound and life(these two factors are more important than comfort IMO). Except my next couple sets are going to be even cheaper, Guitar Research ones from Sam Ash I'm pretty sure I got 3 sets for < $10.

[Blues Bass Man]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Every time I've ever heard a recording of a bass played on flats, and the few times I've played them myself, they just sounded lifeless.

I like a warm, smooth tone, but I think flats go too far.

To each his own....I used to think Flats were too 'Dull and Lifeless',but with proper EQ'ing I was surprized.

If I only had one Bass tho....it would be strung up with the GHS Bass Boomers, or DR Highbeams

[Chowowbus]

Those arent cheap strings! Hartke makes cheap strings!
I have used hartke strings for about 3 years. I give them a 5!

[iiipopes]

GHS Bassics are about the best inexpensive string out there for a generic nickel-plated round.

[BillyIVbass]

D'addario ProSteels rock. Just agreed with another bassist on this. Initially they are very bright, but they give you a great medium tone that seems to last longer than most nickel.

[lareamond]

Originally Posted by iiipopes

GHS Bassics are about the best inexpensive string out there for a generic nickel-plated round.

I second this. I picked up 2 sets at my local Walmart for $5 each on clearance last Saturday. Put them on my Ibanez EX as an experiment and I must say they're pretty decent for what they are. They have a nice well-rounded sound to them. I can't stand most GHS strings, so take that how you will.

I can't say anything positive about Ernie Ball Super Slinkys 45-100 (2834) because I had a brand new set of snap on the E string while my bass was in a stand. They weren't even tuned fully as I wanted to do it slowly due to the bass not having strings on it for 20+ years. That was my first and only experience with them. They were $15 on Amazon.

[KingRazor]

Alright I see plenty of votes for D'Addario ProSteels. Any opinions on their nickels?

[GroovinOnFunk]

Dean Markley SR2000s if you like snappier and higher tension strings. $13.44 for a pack from music123 on ebay with free shipping.

I like fresh, crisp sounding strings. At that price, I can afford to change my strings out every month!