D'addario:similar strings with longer Life ?

alexlotta · #1 10-31-2008, 03:50 AM

Hello people ,maybe It has already answered,
but i did'nt sorted out with the seaqrch ("d'addario search" puts too many results).

Using From A lot of Years D'addario EXL165 (and similar ,depending of the bass).

_______Lately i found quality is not so "even" on the production__-it happens to find a dodgy string ,a lowb not so good and so on.

I wonder If SOmeone can forward me Witrh Other Lables With Almost the same /comparable "balanced sound" AND tension

So i'm looking for A similar string but different brand,
And a desirable longer Life.

I found Fodera to be good ,but they are really Expensive and difficult To find Here In Italy.

Any Of You could Give someTips ,if Had direct experience with Exl And His "Comparisons"?

1954bassman · #2 10-31-2008, 04:10 AM

First, I would make certain you have eliminated all other variables (bass set-up. pick-up height, amp settings, cords, etc).

Then, as you are in Italy, are you limited to the number of brands you have to choose from (at reasonable prices)?

alexlotta · #3 10-31-2008, 07:09 AM

Well you centered the fast,
i'm quite limited In comparison Of Usa Prices/selection ,that's certain-
But There are european shops in Uk and so i can check if i can sort out something.
Since the price almost doubles usually here,it's not easy to try myself all of them.

I don't get what you mean with other variables,
Maybe you mean about some problems i had with few string (lowB's)?

For sure is not related to setup,i have many basses and i setup them after every string change if needed.
_____
Since i like the balanced sound of d'addarios's EXL ,i just wonder which Type/brands are similar to those strings ,to have an alternative to try out.

And as starting point would be cool to get some name (and related type) to check infos for .
Thank you for the tip anyway,setup counts always a lot in those behaviours,and often get understimated.

ljazz · #4 11-01-2008, 03:21 AM

I'm not a big D'Addario fan myself. The quality has been dodgey for a long time.

If you're looking for a nickel round, then you need to try DR's and TI's offerings. Personally, I'm super impressed with the TI (Infeld) SuperAlloys. A bit less tension than the EXL's, but they are very well balanced. I've had a set on my G&L L2000 for over 6 months now..... out of the package, they're not as "zingy" as the EXL's, but they are definitely slappable, and they sound just as new now as they did out of the package.

They're a bit more expensive, but should be easy to find, and their life span makes them a great value.

Ljazz

alexlotta · #5 11-01-2008, 04:53 AM

Thanks ,i will check those now on the shops around.
Maybe, Do you know also which DR Model is more similar to D'addario?

Also Labella ,they produce something similar?I found a shop with at least decent proce for labellas in Italy.
Even If not Nickel off course,
as i found Fodera stainless simlar to nickel EXL ,it can happen with other string too.

Much apreciated ,Thank You again-

**BullHorn** · #6 11-01-2008, 05:11 AM

I've been trying to find decent strings for a while. I'm currently with DR Low-riders and I find them to be even too bright for a 'Low'-rider. I would expect such tone from the Hi-beams. I'm sure with time they won't be as bright.

Imo, their life's length is very nice and the tone is probably the best I've had.

alexlotta · #7 11-01-2008, 06:22 AM

Thanks BullH., but i don get If they are similar to d'addarios EXL tone.
From the comments i've heard ,
"Lo-riders" are quite different strings_sounds (more upper_middish or sort) .

Off course I'm not trying to start a thread about the "best tone" ,
but to find
balanced Strings like d'addarios ,
produced by other brands , just more reliable about quality (sometime dodgy lately) ,and luckily with longer life,
since i'm used and like their Multi-purposal tone.

Sorry if i repeat myself,but being italian i'm always concerned about to write an "understandable "english

That's why i asked if exists Model of Dr ,and LAbella ,who are similar in tone.

Craig_S · #8 11-01-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

I'm not a big D'Addario fan myself. The quality has been dodgey for a long time.

That's odd. I've never had a bad string and I've used them for more than 20 years. With the more expensive DR (high beams), on the other hand, I had three bad sets out of five. They were replaced, of course, but weren't worth my time. That's why I stopped using them.

EDIT: I just remembered having a D'Addario XL B string die before it's time, about a year (or so) ago.

rogueman · #9 11-01-2008, 10:07 PM

Have you tried D'Addario Pro Steels? Balanced top to bottom. Crisp highs and deep lows, Piano sound. They last longer. The La Bella hard rocking steel, full low mids, strong and supportive big lows. For the price, Pro Steels.

alexlotta · #10 11-02-2008, 04:48 AM

did'nt try the pro steels in latest years,
As i always heard EXL as the most balanced.
hard rocking sound's cool ,butwhen i hear "prominent low mids" i always think it's a rock tone who stay BAck "in the Mix",and i preferr string balanced and tweak the TOne afterwards through Eq,
for Slap /finger etc.

GazzBass · #11 11-02-2008, 06:12 AM

I've never had a problem with D'Addario strings. I tried those DR Sunbeams for a while. They were nice enough and felt close to the D'Addarios but I didn't think they were worth the extra cost. I've gone through lots of different brands but I always find myself going back to the D'Addarios.