Coated 7 string set(s)?

[bassteban]

I'm having Chris Stambaugh build me a fretless 7, & it just occurred to me that it may take as long to find strings as it does for him to build the bass! W/that in mind, does anyone know of any 7 string sets(BEADGCF)that are coated, ala Black Beauties, or sources for ERB strings other than Conklin? Thanks!
Steve

[Craig Garfinkel]

You're probably out of luck for a coated set, bassteban, but Ken Smith's own strings are what I use for the MD7 you see as my avatar. I've used Smith strings almost exclusively on all of the basses I've owned for the past 18 years or so, Smith Bass or not (the recent exception being I'm using Sadowsky stainless strings on my Metro, and I dig 'em).

You can order 7 string sets in various gauges directly from him http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Strings/default.html

[bassteban]

That is an extraordinarily beautiful bass, BTW. I have sworn by Smith strings in the past, but on fretless, I really like the tone(as well as the perception that the coating is gentler on the fingerboard- true or not, I can't say)of the Black Beauties. They do a 6-string set, but no high F. It will probably be OK to use staight rounds, though, as the bass will have an acrylicized Maccassar ebony fingerboard.

[Tritone]

You'll find that you'll have better luck if you buy 6 string sets and add a single f string. There's just not that many 7 string options out there right now. Here are some sources for strings, where you can also buy single f strings also:

http://www.roscoeguitars.com/Page_2.htm
http://www.bigcitystrings.com/
http://www.juststrings.com/
http://jacksmusicstore.com/home

Make sure you don't buy a plain (unwound) f string. They have a much hotter output and wil be out of balance with the rest of your set. Hope this helps.

P.S. Elixer makes a coated 6 string set, but no f string...

[Craig Garfinkel]

Originally Posted by bassteban

It will probably be OK to use staight rounds, though, as the bass will have an acrylicized Maccassar ebony fingerboard.

You'll have no problem with roundwounds on that board bassteban. IME even an un-coated ebony board handles RWs with no ill effect.

[Gorgula]

I have been searching for a different F string for my Roscoe. I'm currently using a .022 stainless round wound from Dean Markeley but it's much too bright. My B-C strings are D'addario nickel round wounds. I'd love to try a nickel flatwound but have been unable to find one.

Roscoe has a .020 nickel wound, but I don't think I want to go any thinner than what I already have.

Tritone, what F strings have you tried?

Bassteban, I wouldn't worry about the winding on your high F chewing up your board. The winding is so fine on a string that small that it's virtually smooth.

[bassteban]

It's not so much that I'm worried about wear, more that I imagine 7-string sets are harder to find than 4s & 5s. I like light-gauge for the most part too, just to be more difficult. My bass will be started in September, so I figured I'd start looking now. Thanks, everyone.

[Tritone]

Originally Posted by Gorgula

Tritone, what F strings have you tried?

Labella Hard Rocking Steels (.18, .20, .22)
GHS Super Steels (.20, .22)
GHS Boomers (.20)
D'Addario plain steel (.20)

[Gorgula]

Tritone,

Thanks for the list. Which did you end up settling on?

[Tritone]

On my Roscoe, I just use the factory set. I order straight from them. I also order extra F strings in case of emergency.

With my Elrick 7, I use Lakland stainless 5 string sets. They are actually GHS Supersteels, so I add a .27 or .30 C string, and a .20 string (both GHS stainless). I use the Lkaland 5 sets on my Lakland basses too.

[EricTheEZ1]

Keep in mind that you can buy DR Black Beauties for both Bass & Guitar. So you could always use the lower guitar strings for the upper bass strings. I don't play an ERB so I'm not sure if this is a viable option for you.

-Eric.