D'Addario XL's= Bah!

DWBass · #1 08-30-2006, 05:46 AM

Is it just me or are these the worst strings made? I just put a brand new set on my Yamaha TRB5 a little over a week ago and they're dead already!! ***??? Anyone experience this? Offer any insight? Good thing I didn't pay much for them (Clue maybe?)!

brothernewt · #2 08-30-2006, 05:51 AM

I actually like 'em... mine seem to last a great while.

Tony G · #3 08-30-2006, 05:55 AM

I've never been a fan of D'Addario strings in general. I've always found them to lose their bite too quickly. I generally like a bright stainless steel string, and these don't do it for me.

marc40a · #4 08-30-2006, 06:06 AM

I gave them a good effort because they're priced so reasonably.

After about 10 + sets on different basses, I came to the same conclusion.

DavePlaysBass · #5 08-30-2006, 06:26 AM

If you are looking for a super bright modern tone, the XLs loose it pretty quick as I think most nickels do. SS is the way to go for that tone. La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels are a great steel string.

I like XLs after they loose a bit of their edge. They have a very usable finger style tone for a long time IME.

Dave

marc40a · #6 08-30-2006, 06:34 AM

I find GHS Boomers to be much more satisfying for nickels.

**cheezewiz** · #7 08-30-2006, 07:16 AM

I don't mind the XLs, although they don't last real long. Now their brother stainless strings, the DAddario Pro Steels, THOSE are the worst strings ever made.

Woodchuck · #8 08-30-2006, 07:35 AM

Sounds like you guys need some SIT love. They last quite awhile.

MikeBass · #9 08-30-2006, 07:37 AM

I dig the XL's.
The only string I use. I don't seem to notice them dying too quick.

ClassicJazz · #10 08-30-2006, 07:53 AM

Hum...the last bunch of XL's sets did seem not do have the bite I am used to from them. Kinda dead sounding. I just changed over one of my basses to SIT Rock Brights (nickel) and so far I really like them. Much more bite and brightness then the XLs I were using.

pj-mike · #11 08-30-2006, 08:23 AM

I like the sound of the XLs, but I wish they lasted longer.
Suggestions?

JustOpenYourMind · #12 08-30-2006, 08:26 AM

Prosteels... enough said

omar_basspr · #13 08-30-2006, 08:31 AM

I've used XL's nickel for a while,no complaints. I just ordered some D'addario's ProSteels to test them out.

Jeff Martinez · #14 08-30-2006, 08:44 AM

I've been using XL's for 0ver 10 years, and I've loved them. I change them out monthly. Last year, I tried the ProSteels, I hated them.

I'm about to break from my rut. At the Lodo Bass Bash, I made out like a bandit in the raffles. I won 5 sets of strings, LaBella & SIT. We'll see how it goes.

tbone0813 · #15 08-30-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I dig the XL's.
The only string I use. I don't seem to notice them dying too quick.

+1 Me too.

tbone0813 · #16 08-30-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I dig the XL's.
The only string I use. I don't seem to notice them dying too quick.

+1 Me too.

tbone0813 · #17 08-30-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I dig the XL's.
The only string I use. I don't seem to notice them dying too quick.

+1 Me too.

tplyons · #18 08-30-2006, 09:25 AM

My string of choice, the XL's and the Prosteels.

I don't kill 'em too quick.

keb · #19 08-30-2006, 09:25 AM

XL's have been practically the only strings I've used for over a decade. As a counterpoint to the "dying too quick" notion, I tend to like them after they've been on for a week or two; the "broken-in" point, for my tastes. I don't like an overabundance of high-frequency zing in my tone. Slightly used nickel roundwounds get me my ideal tone.

**cheezewiz** · #20 08-30-2006, 10:01 AM

I find the sadowsky bright nickels sounds similar to the xl, with a bit more high end, and for me, they last longer. Who knows in the end though, sometimes I think there are only different guages and materials for strings, and all similar sets are made by the same company! Having said that, Pro Steels SUCK. FiElDy in a box. All boom and clank. No music.