D'Addario EXP's just purchased....

songwriter21 · #1 02-12-2013, 08:04 AM

So I'm over Elixir, as their coating SUCKS now and I miss the original Polyweb material, currently have DR Dragon Skins on my bass, and m not impressed by the tone longevity, so I'm going to try the EXP's.

Bassstringsonline.com is shipping them to me for just over $28, total. I read on here, that they're one of the few coated strings that have conductive coating, and plus, I'm running out of options....

Tunaman · #2 02-12-2013, 08:18 AM

I haven't tried Elixirs in a few years... so I got them again recently & you're right... the coating isn't impressive & the tonal changes vs Slinkies wasn't as impressive as I remember. I'll be saving $ & sticky with Slinkies on my Bongo going forward

I didn't like my last set of D'Addrios XL nickels, too scooped.

Good luck

BlackRiverBlues · #3 02-12-2013, 09:11 AM

Have you tried the other coated DR strings? IMO the dragon skins are the worst sounding coated strings they have. The Neons, Black Beauties, etc. Have much more clarity to my ears. I have no experience with the EXP's but I have found that the only thing I like about D'ADDARIO is their prices.

songwriter21 · #4 02-12-2013, 11:01 AM

I tried Bootzillas and the Xtra-Life blue strings years ago, and really wasn't impressed. I haven't tried them since the coating was changed, and if they're anything like the Dragons, then they probably will die about as fast.

I might try Aurora if these EXP's don't work out, too. I'm not sure if they fit 35" scale basses, though.

SLaPiNFuNK · #5 02-12-2013, 05:22 PM

One of the positives of the EXP coated strings is they actually conduct electricity so on some instruments you will not experience an electrical hum...

They do make Super Long EXP coated strings so you may need to purchase those if you are going on a 35"er ...

mmbongo · #6 02-12-2013, 07:28 PM

Any hope of EXP singles?

SLaPiNFuNK · #7 02-12-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Any hope of EXP singles?

Yes. D'Addario is revamping their singles availability. It is rolling out sooner than later... All strings they make will be available as singles!

mmbongo · #8 02-12-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Yes. D'Addario is revamping their singles availability. It is rolling out sooner than later... All strings they make will be available as singles!

tylerwylie · #9 02-12-2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Yes. D'Addario is revamping their singles availability. It is rolling out sooner than later... All strings they make will be available as singles!

6 string sets possible eventually with the EXP's?

songwriter21 · #10 02-13-2013, 09:52 AM

I bought Super-Long's, so I should be good to go. I do get hum from my bass, depending on how I turn on stage, but I don't know if it's the strings. I have used Elixir, and now Dragon Skins, so these EXP's should be interesting. I hope, at least, that the tension is nice and flexible, considering the DR's are GREAT in that department.

I'll give a little review after the next gig this weekend.

ddawson2012 · #11 02-13-2013, 11:04 AM

Just got a message from production - singles are now available for EXPs, Chromes and the entire product line.

madbassplaya · #12 02-13-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Just got a message from production - singles are now available for EXPs, Chromes and the entire product line.

What what!

songwriter21 · #13 02-15-2013, 09:32 AM

Wow, not only did I get my strings from bassstringsonline.com in only 2 days AGAIN (CA to PA), but they freakin' sound GREAT! I wrote in another thread, that they pretty much crush the DR Dragon Skins that I had on before. This is what a new coated strintg should sound like! They sound new like Elixirs, but more focused and almost as smooth. The gauges are lighter for the E and A, but these have some more tension than the DR's, so I don't notice much of a thickness difference (kind of balances out). What's nice, too, is that the B is a normal .130, as opposed to the DR's .125 (which wasn't bad), so I do notice some better stiffness there. I'm guessing that then tension will lower the more they stretch, before my gig tomorrow night. One of the best things about these, so far, is that they took only a couple of times to get to correct pitch, as my tuner didn't get super-confused, like with the DR's, which took a LOOOONNNNGGGG time to finish stretching. The intonation seems to be better on these EXP's, too. So, the next and last tests, are to see how they sound through my rig, and through the PA, as well as if the tone lasts or doesn't.

If these have long life, then I'll be a happy camper.

JimmyM · #14 02-15-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Just got a message from production - singles are now available for EXPs, Chromes and the entire product line.

Guess we'll have to wait for the websites to tool up first...BSO and Juststrings only have the C and B Chromes.

tylerwylie · #15 02-16-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddawson2012

Just got a message from production - singles are now available for EXPs, Chromes and the entire product line.

Any news on EXP .032 gauge strings for us 6 string players?

SLaPiNFuNK · #16 02-16-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Guess we'll have to wait for the websites to tool up first...BSO only have the C and B Chromes.

Unfortunately they are not listed as available to dealers yet....

Folks I am checking every day for this. The moment I have access to the price list and part number availability list for the newly available singles I will be adding them to my site.

JimmyM · #17 02-16-2013, 11:34 AM

That's cool, bro...I get it

songwriter21 · #18 02-18-2013, 09:21 AM

My strings debuted last Saturday, when my band played near Harrisburg, PA, and they sounded AWESOME! Very loud and full of life...I had to turn my amp's treble setting DOWN. Yes, they're bright, but oh so punchy. It sounds goofy, as we play "Cotton-Eyed Joe" (I'm in a country band), and I slap for the majority of the song. The treble's snappiness and bite really sounds nice here. These are great strings at this point, and I hope the tone lasts! There's a little more tension than the DR Dragon Skins, but they fell balanced.

Stay tuned....

ddawson2012 · #19 02-19-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerwylie

Any news on EXP .032 gauge strings for us 6 string players?

I haven't heard any news in this regard but I'll ping the product team and see if there's any update in this regard.

bass whaler · #20 02-19-2013, 10:03 PM

Strings must ground back to the amplifier, and if the amplifier does not get a strong ground a person might think their strings are part of the failure, and lead you to think they are just poor quality. I know that many a time we had to go outside and dump a pale of water on top of the grounding rod to get continuity for ground. If you have problems with huge static and buzz/ hum, when you play out at community halls, you might check this all out before you start playing. You need house ground. Strings with high copper content fair worse. So one of our first checks at any gig is checking the breaker box and grounding rod. another issue that can trick you to thinking your strings are crap is: pickup magnets set too high. or strings too low on the fingerboard. A loose bridge ground wire will create problems as will the interference with poor quality controlls like volume trebble bass. these pots can be a headache, even on new guitars. Bass Whaler