Let's NOT try Elixirs this time.

[mrkreuzschlitz]

It's getting to be that time where I need to get new strings. Normally, I get Elixirs and can use them for 3 or 4 months without wearing down too bad, but I wanna try something new. I'm thinking about Cleartone or DR, but I'm not sure, and I can't afford to just keep trying new strings.

I like a little bit of an agressive tone that can clean up (I gotta use my bass for my band AND worship!). I've tried just a few other brands and they all die WAY too fast. I mean like one show and they're done, so most, if not all, uncoated strings are outta the equation to a good bit. It'd be nice to get a string with a bit of growl replacing a lot of the "zing" the Elixirs have without being dead sounding. I also play with a pick, and usually strings that aren't bright enough sound dead.

Suggestions on my next brand of strings?

Oh, by the way, I regularly tune between CGCF and EADG, and no, I won't string BEAD. I just never have liked it.

[nicfargo]

The set of DR Black Beauties (or any of their coated strings) that I have on my bass currently sound like they'd do what you need. I use 'em for church and band...no issues. They can be as growly or smooth as you want (depending on where and how you play them).

[bassCanadabass]

I'm a big fan of R. Cocco's

[73jbass]

I don't know ,sounds like Elixirs are your only choice after what you described.I tried a set of Cleartones.and they sounded identical to Elixirs,but with less string tension,and not as slick. I'd stick with what works.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I tried a set of Cleartones.and they sounded identical to Elixirs.

This is not what I found, at all. Was your rig set flat, or EQed to your taste?

Cleartone strings are brighter, on the extreme top end, than Elixir. Positively. They are a more aggressive sounding string, for my playing style. Cleartones are not slick like Elixir, as stated. They feel more like a smoother, stainless string. The string tension feels very close to the same, to me.

I've been using the Cleartones for a while now, as well as using Elixir for years. The Cleartones are great sounding strings. They do not last as long as Elixir, but I believe that is because the Elixir strings have a subdued high end to start with.

I killed the E string, on my first set of Cleartones, in about 2 1/2 months. The rest of the strings soon followed. I have to say say that they were on my main bass and were played extensively during that time. I still have them on two of my basses. I love them on my SR5.

[mrkreuzschlitz]

I'm thinking about staying with elixir but I figure after 4+ sets I might need to try around for something cheaper. Maybe some DR's? I just don't like colored strings... at all.

[serein2j]

I hated how coated Elixirs feel... Now I only use DR coated strings like black beauties. They sound great.

[mrkreuzschlitz]

Do they make non colored DR's that are coated?

[*insertcoolname]

I think DR sells a set called silver stars or something like that. Probably clear, or close to it.

[davecheng]

Coated DRs feel a little sticky to me. I've been playing Elixir strings on guitar and bass for 10+ years now, and have always like the slick feeling.

My hands routinely kill regular nickel rounds in one gig under stage lights. With a denatured alcohol string-cleaning tube and quick-release Hipshot A bridge, I've been able to cycle two sets of strings with relative ease, but it was still no way to be. My tone at the beginning of a gig and the end would be completely different, and I'd be constantly re-EQ'ing to compensate.

With about 2-3 hours a day of practice/gigs, I usually replace a set of Elixirs every 2 months or so. The remarkable thing is that even after many weeks of fingerstyle shedding, with fraying coating and all, the old strings are very close in tone to a set of new strings.

Assuming you like the "slightly broken in" sound in the first place, this tonal consistency is amazing.

Of all the coated strings on the market, I haven't found anything that lasts like Elixir. Sometimes I long for the sizzle of fresh stainless steel, but it's short-lived and the priority of consistent tone day-in, day-out takes over.

They're not even that expensive when I factor in the life I get: $60 CAD/set for 5 string Elixirs easily last at least three or four times as long as $48 CAD/set DR Sunbeams.

I guess to make a long story short, like you, I've wanted to try a new brand of strings, but I just keep coming back out of necessity!

[TheMutt]

Personally I've never found much use in coated strings, but my hands don't sweat. Ever. Sucks because I've always got rough hands that no lotion, oil, or treatment can solve, but it saves me money in strings.

As far as strings with some growl, I always think of DR Low Riders, DR Hi-Beams, and DR Sumbeams. Each having something a little different. Low Riders sound broken in out of the box, Hi-Beams break in gradually to a little brighter than Low Riders, and Sunbeams break in to a little brighter than Hi-Beams.

If you're looking for longevity, I've got the same set of D'Addario Chromes on my SR5 after fairly heavy playing (3-4 times a week for an hour or two per time) for about 6 months now. I might change them again next year unless one of them breaks, or they stop staying in tune. They didn't really change tonally, but you have to like the tone of flats to begin with as they're not going to be the same as roundwounds.

[hakim]

Originally Posted by mrkreuzschlitz

It's getting to be that time where I need to get new strings. Normally, I get Elixirs and can use them for 3 or 4 months without wearing down too bad, but I wanna try something new.

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Consider your tone... it may never come back after you switch.

[WoodyG3]

DR coated strings are, IMO, a good choice. Silver Stars are the clear coated version. (And, if you are feeling like something really different, you can get them in pink! ) My feeling is that the DRs are a little more aggressive sounding than Elixirs.

I haven't tried them yet, but Music Man has some new coated strings.

[jeremyr]

Hartke Strings are my new absolute favorite! I suggest giving them a go. They sound phenomenal and are cheap to boo

[mrkreuzschlitz]

Originally Posted by hakim

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Consider your tone... it may never come back after you switch.

Its not that it's broke, its more of a case of "hey, theres a lot of strings out there, why don't i try something new?"

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by bassCanadabass

I'm a big fan of R. Cocco's

+1

I used to use Roto 66s, which I was happy with. I tried the Coccos on a dare and love them!! I use them on all of my basses with rounds.

For my taste, they sound great (after almost 3 months of daily play), feel great, and the tension is perfect.

[Zako]

I currently tried some Cleartones and i love em so i put em on both my basses!

They feel more metalic than elixirs i think because there coat is thinner but works just as well,

And iv found they dont get as sloppy when down tuned like my old Ernie balls do.

[happycat]

I was using Elixirs for a while but couldn't get them all the time (no one in Adelaide, Australia really stocks them). Tried Fodera strings and quite liked them. For me, they are similar in tone to the Elixirs and they certainly last as long.

[cb56]

I tried the DR coated strings and killed them in 2 weeks. IMO nothing is going to replace my Elixirs.

[mrkreuzschlitz]

I'm also thinking about some flats...


Nah. I'm sticking to Elixirs.