DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TRY D'Addario ProSteels!!!

Maiden Bass · #1 08-10-2009, 09:09 PM

OK people, I just spent several hundred bucks over the last 2 weeks trying out strings for my new bass. Well, I have always been a stainless steel guy (hate nickels) and tried just about every major brand out there.

I am telling you straight up that I was blown away by Pro Steels!!!

And they don't cost a lot either!!!

IMHO Bryan Beller is exactly right on here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4vDiPi3HM

If you like steels try ProSteels first and save yourself some cash!!!

73jbass · #2 08-10-2009, 09:34 PM

I tried a set a while back.Too rough on the fingers,too noisy,and were dead in no time.Went back to DR's.

Nino Valenti · #3 08-10-2009, 09:35 PM

I have a set on #057 and they've been on there for months!!! Gigs, rehearsals, 2 TB GTG's. Still sound great!!!!

7StringBassist · #4 08-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Pro Steels are my choice

OneMoreRobot · #5 08-10-2009, 10:10 PM

I agree with 73jbass.

I had the same problem. Tore up my fingers, noisier than was acceptable, and deader than a doornail within a month.

Craig_S · #6 08-10-2009, 10:30 PM

I like them except for the feel. They grip my fingertips a bit too much and slow down my plucking hand. I've used them a few times because of their sound, though. The nickel strings are much smoother and sound great, too.

groooooove · #7 08-10-2009, 10:46 PM

i'm pretty religious about S.I.T. strings.. but this intrigues me..

Double Agent · #8 08-10-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I tried a set a while back.Too rough on the fingers,too noisy,and were dead in no time.Went back to DR's.

+1

This was exactly the same experience I had. Glad they work for you guys, but IMHO they don't hold a candle to Lo-Riders in any way.

**cheezewiz** · #9 08-10-2009, 11:51 PM

This is a true testament to "different strokes". I thought Pro Steels were the worst strings I have ever tried. All clank and lows with no meat and mids. It was like FiElDy in a box.

WildTrkey · #10 08-10-2009, 11:59 PM

I have played many steel strings(RW) and own two sets unused. I hate the sound of steel strings. To my ears, they are the most unnatural sounding of all bass strings. The worst, IME, have to be D'addario. From their half-rounds to the pro-steels, consistency, tone and tension are laughable. Save some money and avoid them if you can. In a bind? Use them. But not if you have a choice. My 2cents.

bobTHEbasser · #11 08-11-2009, 02:20 AM

love those strings. never had an issue with them. they do flatten out quickly, but so do most steel strings. the only brand i've come across with a lasting steel is rotosound but to be honest i hate those more than boomers. if anyone gets a chance, try out elites.

Meatrus · #12 08-11-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden Bass

OK people, I just spent several hundred bucks over the last 2 weeks trying out strings for my new bass. Well, I have always been a stainless steel guy (hate nickels) and tried just about every major brand out there.

I am telling you straight up that I was blown away by Pro Steels!!!

And they don't cost a lot either!!!

IMHO Bryan Beller is exactly right on here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4vDiPi3HM

If you like steels try ProSteels first and save yourself some cash!!!

You spent several hundred bucks in two weeks on strings!? That seems a bit wasteful of money and strings.

lug · #13 08-11-2009, 09:00 AM

I have several basses. On the one's I want to be most aggressive, I use Pro Steels.

The Owl · #14 08-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

I have several basses. On the one's I want to be most aggressive, I use Pro Steels.

I've been using them on my fretted for some time now and really like them, for me, just about ANY D'Addario string holds up its tone for a good while.

I'm trying them out on my fretless now:

PRO: Lots of overtones and harmonics available to me

CON: They do feel a little odd on a fretless, seem to slow my left hand down a little, the windings gripping the fingertips and all. May go back to Nickel's on the fretless.

KPAX · #15 08-11-2009, 09:17 AM

Ha ha, we have controversy: The OP's recommended strings are the worst, most unnatural strings who's consistency, tone and tension are laughable.
I reluctantly use stainless steels at this time of year because my preferred nickel steels die so quickly in the midwest humidity.
I can deal with the crummier feel of stainless steel. My main beef is that brittleness buried inside the twang. The twang is cool. It's hard to describe.
That said, it's been humid so I may change over for a month. The D'addarios are probably my favorite stainless steels I've found so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildTrkey

I have played many steel strings(RW) and own two sets unused. I hate the sound of steel strings. To my ears, they are the most unnatural sounding of all bass strings. The worst, IME, have to be D'addario. From their half-rounds to the pro-steels, consistency, tone and tension are laughable. Save some money and avoid them if you can. In a bind? Use them. But not if you have a choice. My 2cents.

i hate username · #16 08-11-2009, 09:35 AM

I like them but only on my wick cause that bass doesnt put out too much high end,Put them on a bass with a mapel neck and it was very noisey.Not terrible. i still prefer them to rotosound(dont kill me anyone) but i prefer just the normal xl nickel wounds over the pro steels in general

Maiden Bass · #17 08-11-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

You spent several hundred bucks in two weeks on strings!? That seems a bit wasteful of money and strings.

Well, if you are recording in a top studio and are not getting your sound, you will spend a lot more money for all that extra recording time.

And for all the people who chimed in with negative comments about the ProSteels I can only say this - I have played professionally since the 80's and have owned more than 200 brand new top of the line basses (not to mention all the amps) and I have never, ever met a nickel string that I like. So, I just cannot accept an opinion from anyone who thinks nickel strings sound good.

JustDavid · #18 08-11-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiden Bass

<snip> I have never, ever met a nickel string that I like. So, I just cannot accept an opinion from anyone who thinks nickel strings sound good.

How do you know what sound is right for me & my playing situation?

The thread has gotten pretty polarized, but please keep in mind that your situation & opinion are your own. And may not fit someone else's situation.

whoatherechunk · #19 08-11-2009, 06:36 PM

I like em. They just seemed to go dead quick. I still love em though!

HogieWan · #20 08-11-2009, 06:37 PM

Depends on the player (for both sound and feel), the bass, the amp. and a few other minor things. Lots of variable go into string choice. Just because they work for you on your bass, doesn't mean they will work elsewhere.