Strings popularity.

[WarrenD]

Hello all,

I'm curious about the popularity of bass string brands. Although possessing such knowledge wouldn't affect my choice of string, it interests me somewhat.

Does anyone have any idea about the degree of brand popularity?

I get the impression D'Addario are the most used, followed by Rotosound and Ernie Ball maybe....

Cheers.

[mmbongo]

I would agree that D'Addario are the most popular, mainly because they are cheap and they can be found anywhere. Same with Ernie Ball. GHS would probably be 3rd. Cheap and readily available.

Rotosound...they are popular but nothing like D'Addario or Ernie Ball. They are more of a niche market. Everybody has heard of them, but not as many people actually use them.

Other than D'add and Ernie, I'd say DR is is a close 4th place which is impressive because they are considered more of a boutique string.

Then maybe Dean Markley. Fender strings are popular because every Fender dealer will carry them, and some folks think that the only strings that work on a Fender bass is Fender strings.

So Rotosound would fall around 7th or 8th place I'd guess.

The guitar players in my band swear by Elixer strings and will whip you with one if you suggest something else! Not sure about their bass strings though.

The shame of the whole thing is that these strings are popular because they have a strong store presence. Some folks will never get to experience truly fine strings like Curt Mangan, R. Cocco, and Circle K because they have to go seek them out.

That being said, I'm a DR fanboy but when it's time to change I will be trying Circle K.

All this is pure speculation on my part of course!

[bertbassplayer]

I'd def say D'addario and Ernie Ball are 1+2. Tons of basses out there all have D'addario out of the factory, and like mmbongo said you can find them in just about every store out there same with Ernie Balls. I think after that it gets a bit more murky, it's prob between Elixir, DR or Fender.

That being said, the strings that are popular on TB aren't necessarily the strings that are popular in the outside world. TB is a unique niche.

[WarrenD]

This sounds logical.

I'm from England where Rotosound is quite popular. I suppose it would be as it's the leading brand there. The American brands have a lot of influence in Europe too. I live Sweden and the music shops are all very similar. They sell Ernie Ball and GHS, which isn't a bad thing but it'd be nice to see some variation.

Anyway, thanks for your deductions!

[funkytoe]

D'Addario = Fender. All Fender strings are made by D'Addario with different packaging. So, no need for the separate category.

[Phalex]

I use GHS almost exclusively. (I use Labella tape wound on my fretless)

I like the tone and tension of the GHS brand strings, and the factory is about 45 miles away from where I live. I guess I subscribe to the "Buy Local" train of thought to a certain degree.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by funkytoe

D'Addario = Fender. All Fender strings are made by D'Addario with different packaging. So, no need for the separate category.

Well, Fender has a pure nickel roundwound, D'Addario does not. There are differences.

[Crane]

I play D'Addarios a lot, but have been getting into Dunlops recently

[bertbassplayer]

Originally Posted by funkytoe

D'Addario = Fender. All Fender strings are made by D'Addario with different packaging. So, no need for the separate category.

+1 to mmbongo, plus the OP said brands he didn't say makers. If we were going by makers the list would be a lot smaller.