Different string brands. Are the prices justified?

[Ian the bassist]

I just wanted to know what other bassists think about string brands and their quality. I have always used D'addario strings(Super lights from 40-100). Mainly because they are reasonably priced, compared to other brands. I have never used any other brand. So I wanted to know what some of the little differences are and if the prices are justified. I also have never gone deeper into researching them, as I have gotten nice tones out of the strings I use. But might get a set of higher end strings. Just to see what they're like.

Elixer- Charged at 43 euro on Thomann. These are steel strings if I'm not mistaken. I liked the tone of steels. I used to use them, but felt nickel wounds had a smoother feel with almost the same amount of brightness to them. But steel had quite a punch to them alrite. I can get a steel set of D'addarios for 20 euro. Why are these "better"?

Warwick- Same goes for these guys. 38 euro for emp steel strings. Now I know it's because they're supposed to last longer as well. They have different coloured brands though. Red being a lower one, then black, then the emp coating.

Ernie ball- They range. Just like Warwick. But I saw a set for around the 50 euro mark. Cobalt strings

Dr strings- More or less the same arguments.

If anyone is up on different string brands and the differences between them, could they please enlighten me. This isn't a "what's the best string brand" thread by the way. I generally just want to know what makes the different brands significantly differ from each other(if they even do). This is easier than me buying them all to test them(and cheaper lol)

I generally play Hard rock, metal, funk and solo bass stuff. And can achieve this with a set of strings that cost 20 euro. haha. I like strings that are lighter, so you can achieve a great low action for solo tapping, but while still being punchy for hard rock and metal. But if you guys can convince me that I can do better with other strings. I might make a slight change just for fun. I am buying a new bass this week, so feel like trying something new for a change. It's a streamer Jazzman for anyone who is interested. Anyway rant over lol.

[Sonic]

Elixers - Decent but overpriced IMO. They last long and sound cool but not worth the price.

Warwick - No experience

Ernie Ball - Solid String, I don't find them exemplary but a solid choice for the well rounded player

DR Strings - My company of choice. Lots of varieties for different preferences. I use DDTs for my metal band and strapped a set of NEONs onto another bass I goof around with. Both totally different but very high quality. DR has my endorsement.

In the end you'll just have to try them all and see which one you prefer. It took me almost 12 years to settle on a brand so it's a long but (mostly) fun process. Good luck!

[IncX]

Elixers = tried them off other basses, quite nice but the slippery feel took me a few minutes to get used to.

Warwick = EMP's were sticky.

Ernie Ball = typical, they die fast. just like D'addarios

DR = Neons and High Beams for me... i stuck with them, the best strings i have used and i wont be changing brands soon

[4-string]

I like D'Addarios, and have used them a lot. I prefer DRs though, and to me the extra cost is worth it because of feel, tone and longevity.

Since you're in Ireland I would recommend checking out Elites. Great strings IMO, and they definitely seems to last longer than D'Addarios. They even cost a bit less.

Available from stringsdirect:

Elites Bass Guitar Strings from Strings Direct

[lowfreq33]

I've tried a lot of different string brands of varying prices, and I've never found one that was "better" than D'Addario. Some quite expensive brands I liked less. At best I found that a set that cost $30-40 more I only liked "as much" as D'Addario. So that's my experience.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

I wouldn't I say any brand is really "better" than D'addario, only different. They are extremely consistent IME and give what they promise at a low price.
FWIW I use something else for a number of reasons that dont matter.

Dunlop and Rotosound are the only brand I've had dead strings from out of brand new packs. However, I believe its probably more from where they came from than the 20$ price tag.
To me, any 4string set over 35$ is beyond what Im willing to pay. Tone and string preferences are very subjective

[mmbongo]

To me, DR's are definitely worth the couple of dollars extra. I can't get my tone or longevity out of anything else. Nothing touches DR.

D'Addario are great basic strings for the price. Certainly better than EB Slinky's if you ask me, but Cobalts are a little different.

[Twocan]

Personally, I feel that steep differences in pricing is a bunch of bull. I buy in mass quantities from this guy:

10 sets of Fender 990L Electric Bass Guitar Strings .045, .060, .075, .090 | eBay

Whether the strings are authentic or not (I don't know), they're great quality and hold up as long as anything else I've tried.

[CrashClint]

I have tried the following:

D'Addario XL - Sound good to start but fade pretty quickly.
Fodera Nickels - Sound good but but feel rough to the touch
Ken Smith - Sounded Ok, but not worth the money
Dunlop Nickels - Sound good to start but fade pretty quickly
Alembic Stainless - Nice and bright but are tough on frets
Rotosound - really rough to the touch but sounded ok.
Ernie Ball Slinky - Sound good to start but fade pretty quickly
GHS Boomers - I liked they way the sounded and felt but faded quickly
Elixir - Nice feel, they fade fast to a point then stay at that point of tone for a long time until you wear off the coating then the die slowly.
DR Sunbeams - Nice full sound and they last pretty good
DR Black Beauties - I have these on one of my basses and love the tone and feel.
DR Neons - These strings actually sound really good, the best for a non-anodized coated string and they last. They fade a little at first then stay really steady 3-6 months depending on how much you play. Oh, I have them on two basses.
Thomastik Infeld - the Best Flat wound I have ever played. Really nice mid presence with sweet growl.

I have been playing for over 30 years and have tried many strings I haven't listed, but IMHO the DR strings are worth the money. You can buy cheaper strings but you will change them more often. Just my thoughts.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by Twocan

Personally, I feel that steep differences in pricing is a bunch of bull. I buy in mass quantities from this guy:

10 sets of Fender 990L Electric Bass Guitar Strings .045, .060, .075, .090 | eBay

Whether the strings are authentic or not (I don't know), they're great quality and hold up as long as anything else I've tried.

They're authentic, just from the 80's! (Maybe 70's...look at that Rainbow packaging!) Hey, as long as they work, who cares

[Ian the bassist]

Was looking at the neon sets and the hi beam sets of DR strings. Can you get the Neon coats in 40-95? I am looking at Thomann, which is the best for different string brands that I have seen, but only have 45-105. What's the difference in Hi and lo beams by the way?

[ksandvik]

DRs. Every time I try something else I just have to get another DR set and replace them on the bass.

[Modern Growl]

You usually get what you pay for. I went on a HUGE string experimental phase and have settled down on DR Strings.

I don't care about any "hype" surrounding these strings, nor their endorsers. I just love the way they sound/play - especially their Hi-Beams & Sun Beams.

After playing these strings, all others are too stiff and don't have the same wide freq. response.

[Ian the bassist]

Never mind. Found an old thread haha. Might try find the Neon's in the 40's. Or else go with the Lo-riders. I like bright strings. But the Warwick is know for having a mid and treble punch on the bass. So I want to bring out the lows as well with the strings.

[DiabolusInMusic]

All of them? No, not really, but the DR's are well worth the extra cash, any day of the week, if you don't know what I mean, go get a set. It took me one set to be a believer.

I'd spend the extra $$ for elixirs too, I used too back in the day, but I would also change them 3 months apart at best.

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by Ian the bassist

Was looking at the neon sets and the hi beam sets of DR strings. Can you get the Neon coats in 40-95? I am looking at Thomann, which is the best for different string brands that I have seen, but only have 45-105. What's the difference in Hi and lo beams by the way?

I think the lightest the Neon string come is 40-100, but I could be wrong.

[mdogs]

DR's are worth the extra, end of story. I can't stand D'Addarios, I find almost without exception that, with people I know anyway, they use them due to cost. I know people here will disagree, don't really care...

[HuntYouDown]

I have been a guitarist a long time and just really switched to bass. Since, I have put GHS Boomers on my Jazz IV and Ibanez ATK, my Jazz V has Rotosounds. These are both very much alike, I like the red at the top of both also. The Rotosounds are super expensive, but, p probably not worth it. They are like heavy duty on the fingers, but I kind of like the grit they have when you change or slide notes, I think they are roundwound or whatever. The Boomers are very similar to Rotosounds, but a little less harsh on fingers, but a goor basic string. My ATK, had some flats or something when I got it, with no grit, now it has boomers and grit. Also, I find it very intersting on bass of how much strings make a difference. I mean it is a major part of the sound. Like I had Boomers on my Jazz IV awhile, then I had another set so I put them on my Ibanez ATK. And wow, the Ibanez started sounding a lot like the fender!