Favorite strings discontinued-Need advice on getting new ones

[velalv]

Hi Folks:

So, I went to get some new strings today for my American Jazz Deluxe bass (2005), and I bought some GHS Boomers. Big, big mistake. I let the shop do the string change while I hung out, and I forgot to avoid these because I put the string through the body. That is my fault for snoozing at the wheel, and I admit that.

However, I was surprised at how tense the boomers were, and how uneven the tone was. The strings really accentuated my highs to the point that they were harsh, and the lows sounded lifeless. Furthermore, because they were too short for string through, my action went from low and fast to high. The strings are really tense.

I really, really liked the stock strings that came with this bass, which are the FENDER® 8250M NPS ROUNDCORE TAPERWOUND SUPER 8250'S ELECTRIC BASS SET (the package had a picture of a jazz bass on them). Only the E is taperwound on this set. I know most folks don't care for Fender strings, but I loved those.

I tried out the newly released versions of these Fender strings, but I thought they were really dull and lifeless, and I did not like the feel of them at all. I have not been able to find out the old taperwound strings at any store in the greater DC area. I have thus come to the conclusion that I simply need to find a replacement string.

What strings are most like these fender strings?
FENDER® 8250M NPS ROUNDCORE TAPERWOUND SUPER 8250'S ELECTRIC BASS SET - Elderly Instruments
(no affiliation to the seller). DHS, TI's, D'Addarios?

I use the jazz bass as my main player, and use it mainly to play contemporary christian, gospel, and salsa. I use my p bass, strung with TI flats, for classic rock and motown. Want to keep contrast as great as possible between the two basses. Thanks, and sorry for the long post, I just wanted to make sure I was very specific about what I wanted. Generic posts tend to breed generic answers.

[BillyIVbass]

I like a contrast on my basses. I gig with 2 Ps. One has D'addario Chromes (flats) and Pro Steels (round wound steels) The Steels really help me cut in a rock mix with loud guitars and the Chromes give me a nice thumpy bottom for milder tunes.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I think I accidentally PM'ed you rather then posted in here... sorry

Are you set on Round Cores?

If you like Nickel Plated Steel and want Taper Strings, you could go with Ken Smith Burner NPS Taper Cores... In these strings the A and E are Taper Core. They are Nickel Plated Steel over a Hex core. If you want just a Taper E I can put together a custom set for you...

If you are willing to part with the Taper E, there are a few other options available for you in a NPS string...

[Fender32]

I really hope that someone at Fender reads threads like this (although I doubt it ). I also think that the new 'Fender' branded strings are dreadful (well, the nickel ones at least) and haven't read a good word on here about them, so far .

I'm sure that Fender will have made the move to a new supplier based on cost, but if enough people stop buying them ....

[mmbongo]

DR Sunbeams will fulfill your round core string needs. Not tapered, but are you sure you need tapered?

[tjh]

check Ebay ... I see the old style 8250 and 7250's fairly regular on their ...

Edit to add: as someone pointed out, the fact that they are showing a photo of the old packaging, does not nescessarily mean that they are selling the old style ... they may have just not changed the photo, so what I am seeing, I may NOT be seeing ... I see your point, time to find a new string

[robertusf]

Originally Posted by Fender32

I really hope that someone at Fender reads threads like this (although I doubt it ). I also think that the new 'Fender' branded strings are dreadful (well, the nickel ones at least) and haven't read a good word on here about them, so far .

I'm sure that Fender will have made the move to a new supplier based on cost, but if enough people stop buying them ....

+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 My JAzz V is wanting....

On another note: I previously used Sadowsky Blue nickels on a Warwick and like them a lot. I may wind up switching to those for the my Jazz V. I'm not sure if the taper is long enough.

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by tjh

check Ebay ... I see the old style 8250 and 7250's fairly regular on their ... may be time to stock up

I have only seen one auction (in recent months) for a brand new set of the old style nickel strings, which featured the old packing in the listing. When I contacted the seller, they said that the photo was just an old one which they had used for previous auctions and although the strings now came in a red and black box, they were 'still basically the same thing' . Clearly, not a bass player then.

Mind you, I'm in Germany and so we probably have less choice on ebay than you do in the States . Thanks for the tip all the same .

[AHDBassist]

DR Hi Beams work great on my string thru basses.