Seeking heavy guage stainless that aren't coarse

[Tuned]

I recently wasted $50 on a 5-string set of Rotosounds, only to toss them because they were unplayably coarse and even damaged my fingerboard. I've since put epoxy on it, but the playability is still a problem.

Strangely the smoothest stainless strings I've found so far are Webstrings, and they've got good tone, but they only offer 5-string sets in medium guages. I want at least 50-135.

The problem is that 45-130 is too plonky when I lean into them. I want them to complain when I bear down, not give up. The slinkiness also slows me down a bit. I used to use D'Addario EXL-160's (50-135) and they had the responsiveness I like, but stainless gives me the tone.

Before I cough up another $50 for a set, can anyone comment on how coarse D'Addario stainless strings are? Anyone know of a non-coarse stainless set in 55-140 guages?

[JanusZarate]

D'Addario ProSteels are not smooth - I'd describe them as mildly coarse. They're much smoother than Rotosounds, though.

The smoothest-feeling SS strings I've ever used were DR Lo-Riders - very close to nickelwound smoothness, which is odd for an SS string. Even at lower gauges, they're noticeably stiff, too - they don't give in to your attack very easily. They would definitely be worth a try if you can find them.

[king_biscuit]

Lo Riders are smoother than Rotosounds, but they are still pretty coarse. Was the OP talking about flats or rounds, though?

[JanusZarate]

I'm pretty sure he meant rounds. Sounds like he was playing pretty rough on a fretless fingerboard, but then again, with SS Rotosounds it doesn't take much to scratch up frets, wood, and fingers.

There's no sensible way that flats would do that unless you were trying to damage your bass on purpose...

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I'm pretty sure he meant rounds. Sounds like he was playing pretty rough on a fretless fingerboard, but then again, with SS Rotosounds it doesn't take much to scratch up frets, wood, and fingers.

There's no sensible way that flats would do that unless you were trying to damage your bass on purpose...

Good point. Hi beams are pretty smooth for SS rounds, btw.



edit: I'm not sure Hi beams come in that heavy a guage, though.

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

The smoothest-feeling SS strings I've ever used were DR Lo-Riders - very close to nickelwound smoothness, which is odd for an SS string. Even at lower gauges, they're noticeably stiff, too - they don't give in to your attack very easily. They would definitely be worth a try if you can find them.

+1

Stainless rounds are all coarse to some degree. Almost to the point where could say that "smooth ss rounds" is an oxymoron.

However, DR Lo-Riders are the least coarse of all the stainless rounds I've tried. Very tolerable, not much different than nickels like D'addario XLs. Of course, I have never tried Hi-Beams so I don't know how coarse/smooth they are in comparison with Lo-Riders. The stiffness of Lo-Riders is a matter of preference as far as feel goes. I prefer my strings to be a little stiffer, so I like them. If you like your strings with less tension then you might not like Lo-Riders. But, they are very easy on the hands for SS rounds.

[rickfan63]

Hi-Beams are nice and smooth for a SS round and very easy on the fingers and frets. They are low tension though,so I don't think they would be what he's after. SS Lo-Riders are likely his best bet. Don't know if they come in those heavy guages however. .130 to .135 is pretty hefty to me. .140 is some heavy tension to me.: When I played 5er's the heaviest I played was .125. To each their own though.

[JanusZarate]

Hmmm... you're right. The heaviest they go is .50 - .110 in a four string set, and he'd have to buy a separate low B (.130 maximum). Or, he could get the .45 - .130 set, but stilll...

Maybe he'll like the stiffness and feel of Lo-Riders and not find a need to go to a higher gauge? It's worth a shot.