Needing help with picking perfect strings

[isher1992]

Well, it's me again with another question, in a different category.

I love the sound of new strings out of the package, and I would love to find a set of strings for my ATK and my P-bass that would be able to keep this sound for a long time (Longer than a month if possible.) I've tried DR's, those were nice for the money, and I just tried Elixirs, but I put string cleaner in them once and I think it screwed the coating up. If that's all that I did, I think I might stay with Elxirs. But I'm still throwing this question out there.

I use a 1.14 Dunlop Gator Grip pick, and I tend to pick aggressively. My gauge of strings is .105-.45 or .50.

I've tried:
D'Addarios
Slinky's
Elixir's
DR Hi-Beams
Fenders

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I hate having to use string cleaner every week to keep my strings bright.

[JustDavid]

Any insight from the Elixer website about the effect of various string cleaners? My guess is the solvent in the string cleaner is too harsh for coatings. Dig into that; I'd guess coateds are you. They'll likely grunge up where you pick, but that's a small %age of the string.

[isher1992]

Yeah, the coating REALLY wears down where I pick within the first week of playing. That's how rough I tend to play. But, I'll look that up about coatings.

Does anyone know of cheaper brands that offer coated strings?
I wanted to say RotoSound had a coated string.

[isher1992]

Well, the Elixir website says it's not necessary to use string lubricants at all, because they are chemically set in that coating. I bet that's why they sound a little less bright, is because I used that frickin' string cleaner.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by isher1992

Yeah, the coating REALLY wears down where I pick within the first week of playing. That's how rough I tend to play. But, I'll look that up about coatings.

Does anyone know of cheaper brands that offer coated strings?
I wanted to say RotoSound had a coated string.

Surf the makers' websites, juststrings.com as a price reference.

[isher1992]

Well, DR have those Black Beauties for about 10 dollars cheaper, but I'm kind of curious if they're worth it.

[Kyon`]

Blue steel's are very bright and retain that characteristic for a while.

[isher1992]

How much do they tend to run for?

[EagleMoon]

The DR coated strings last a long time and they're cheaper than Elixers. And sound a lot better too.

[parsons]

Originally Posted by isher1992

Well, DR have those Black Beauties for about 10 dollars cheaper, but I'm kind of curious if they're worth it.

Black beauties are the only thing Ill use. Ever. I play mostly with my fingers but I do use a pick here and there. Other strings last me less than a week, DRs last me a month or more.

[steve4765630]

Cleartone strings. Expensive, but last a long time.

[RPIcka]

try some wyres coated bass strings