cheapskate strings Vs Branded?

IanStephenson · #1 02-03-2008, 07:41 AM

I've currently got Status Halfwounds on one of my basses... They feel great, and give a a big fat sound. They've been on for about 18 months and have probably done about 80 gigs. They still sound good, but I think I'm going to need something with more zingy sound for that band in future, due to some changes in the project.

Anyway to get to the point, much as I love the Status strings they go for almost £20 a set. That's OK, but it means I'm not going to replace them very often. I can pick up a set of no-name strings for about £5 a set. While there's no question that the brand strings are probably better, I'm thinking that replacing a cheap set every 5 gigs is going to sound better than a good set after 20 gigs (assuming I want the fresh string sound). I'm REALLY bad at changing strings, and always pomise to change them more regularly whenever I put a new set on.

The only downside I can see is consistancy - I may not end up with identical strings each time, so tension may shift, but I can probably live with that. I'll also miss my halfwounds, but most cheap strings are roundwound.

Has anyone else gone this route?

Cheap strings every 5 gigs, or good strings every 20?

Ian

manicbassman · #2 02-03-2008, 08:00 AM

don't know... I have flatwounds on... I don't change strings, I change basses...

UncleBalsamic · #3 02-03-2008, 08:05 AM

I don't think cheap strings are that bad and it means you'll have the new string feel and sound almost all of time. There's not much point using expensive strings unless you really, really like them.

meev992 · #4 02-03-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Cheap strings every 5 gigs, or good strings every 20?

Ian

When I first started out, I was using cheap, light gauges, bass strings from Target. Boy, my bass sounding zingy during that period.

I have done it, and I say yes: If you want zing, just go with a cheap set more frequently. You get what you pay for, but you also get the zing.

blipndub · #5 02-13-2008, 01:16 PM

I've been using generic strings sold at my local music store that sell for about $9 USD. They have been totally fine if uncharacteristic. I just strung up a couple basses with some rotosounds and I have to say that suits me better, but I had been using cheap generic strings for a couple years enjoying their lack of character. I think most generic sets are made in the same factory so you are basically buying diaddarios. I didn't experience any more inconsistency than with name brand, in fact maybe less.

SwamiRob · #6 02-13-2008, 01:43 PM

The 13 pound strings I get at my local music shop are much better then 22 pound Ernie Balls, you have to look into it a bit further then price. There are expensive strings you may think are awful and there are cheap ones that are great. 1 thing cheap strings can tend to have is that they don't last as long and/or they break easy, but that's not always the case. always worth checking round especially when your not paying much. You might find something uniquely great.

otis_thick · #7 02-13-2008, 02:15 PM

There are reletively few string manufacturers but a lot of different brands. I don't know if Status makes thier own strings but for example Trace Elliot strings at one time, were made by KAMAN which also had several different string brands that sold for different prices. If you are buying from a small music shop, it would make more since for them to sell a higher priced brand name because they are trying to make a profit. But there are real advertised differences in strings Hex core vs round, coated vs not, chryogenics and so on. You have to know what you are looking for. So if you know you like nickle wound with a hex core, then you can buy the strings in bulk.

kevteop · #8 02-13-2008, 03:03 PM

I always used to put Rotos "Swing Bass" on my basses. Tried a few other brands but they either didn't quite feel/sound right or they seemed to lose their zing too quickly.

Lately my local shop's always out of my gauges, so I've been getting the cheaper strings Rotosound make, and so far they've been pretty much as good as the more expensive ones.

So: They're not dirt cheap, but if you like Rotos get their cheaper ones.

4Mal · #9 02-13-2008, 03:11 PM

For me really good strings are an inexpensive upgrade ...

Thomastic Infeld Super Alloy's for round or Jazz flats. They sound better, last much longer, are more consistent set to set, more balanced string to string ... only reason somone would like cheap strings ? IMO because they haven't tried really good ones...

I don't count low end Rotosound, D'Addario XL or EB Slinky's as 'really good'. For those - might as well go with Music Store brand ...