Took a risk with some new strings- my impressions...

Foxworthy925 · #1 12-13-2007, 11:15 PM

Well in the last few weeks, I ordered some stuff from mf including three packs of strings. I'm still searching around for exactly what I want, so I tried some very very random ones. Here're my impressions..

B-52 Rockers (lite)
Hmmm, I'm a medium lite guy myself, but these are made of alloy 52 (iron and nickel) which caught my attention- thought I'd give em a try. Well, they're extremely bright, have a nice tension, and a fairly nice feel (pretty rough, but not like sandpaper). Even after they were broken in, they still had a great tone for slap and a very nice punchy tone for metal. Pretty good all around.

Alchemy Randy Jackson Series (lite)
Once again, I would have prefered medium lite, but the fact that these strings are gold wrapped was too intriguing to pass up. First off, the strings are just dead sexy- completely gold with purple silk wrap at the top (I'll post pics later). Besides that though, they SUCKED! The tone was transparent, absolutely no attack or definition, very thin sounding d and g strings (I'm very picky about this), just bland and unapealing in the tone department. Lines would sound like "blah ha haa ah ah ah uh bluh" instead of "bum ba ba ba bum" if you know what I mean. The good- they have an extremely nice feel under your fingers- as smooth as silk compared to the other two sets I got. Worth $40 though....HELL NO!

Stainless Steel super slinkys (45-100)
These are somehow made with a mix of ss, and tin plated ss- they looked interesting. I just slapped these on earlier this afternoon, right before going to band practice so they're not near being broken in yet. But my impressions so far- bright, but also a very nice balsey tone. Miles and miles ahead of the alchemy strings on tone. Plus, these are medium lites, wich means that the d and g strings are thicker like I like 'em. I think these'll sound very nice and pretty warm when worn in more. BUT, so far I HATE how they feel. It feels like I'm fingering sand paper. I can't believe how much friction there is when I play these- really slowed me down at practice. Now I don't know if this is just because they're new, or just a trait of the strings. Either way, it's a big enough deal for me to change strings.

So now I'd like some suggestions. I think I'll have to go back and try ml highbeams again, becauase I remember liking those a while ago when I used 'em. But here's what I'm looking for- roundwound but with a very smooth feel, very punchy attack but with a full sound (not thin and trebley), a string that'll also sound good for death metal (the b-52's were best for this when I tried them. Probably because they naturally had the most aggresive attack). Anyone got any ideas or comments?

jackthestripper · #2 12-14-2007, 01:40 AM

are you using these strings on the same bass? that's be a pain to flip
em around!

Foxworthy925 · #3 12-14-2007, 01:58 AM

Oh yeah, it's all with the same bass.

Huh, "pain to flip em around", what?

Sorefinger · #4 12-14-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxworthy925

here's what I'm looking for- roundwound but with a very smooth feel, very punchy attack but with a full sound (not thin and trebley)

That´s all very subjective of course, but as far as I´m concerned, you´ve just described D´Addario EXLs.

Foxworthy925 · #5 12-15-2007, 01:38 AM

Hmm, D'addario EXLs you say? I'll have to look into those, thanks.

Anyone else?

Foxworthy925 · #6 12-16-2007, 12:06 AM

No one can look at these strings and say they aren't sexy. Too bad they don't play as nice as they look....

(sorry for the dark pics btw)

veloce · #7 12-16-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorefinger

That´s all very subjective of course, but as far as I´m concerned, you´ve just described D´Addario EXLs.

ditto.

EXLs are the only strings I will use...

Foxworthy925 · #8 12-16-2007, 01:46 AM

Thanks for the advice- that makes two votes for D'Addario EXLs.

Anyone else?

bigd4207 · #9 12-17-2007, 01:51 PM

I love the golds, im thinking bout a set of optima's. but for the rounds, especially with a smooth feel, try daddario half rounds, great round tone but a smoother feel, the tension is a little more than i like myself but overall great strings, i have them on my jbass and they work really well. another smooth string is rotosounds. i think i have the swings but i can't remember for sure.

MonetBass · #10 12-17-2007, 04:06 PM

If you really liked the Ernie Ball SS Slinkies, then try the nicklewound Slinkies. MUCH easier on the hands IMO, and they sound really nice and warm once broken in.

Foxworthy925 · #11 12-17-2007, 07:01 PM

I'll keep those in mind. Thanks.

treebranch13 · #12 12-17-2007, 07:25 PM

you could try GHS boomers, some ppl don't like them, i have never had a problem with them. the other one i would like to try but don't know is Warwick strings.

DavePlaysBass · #13 12-18-2007, 02:55 AM

If DA XLs are on your short list, you ought to try Fender 7250s. I think their lows are cleaner and the highes are less harsh with a very present midrange.

Roland777 · #14 12-18-2007, 05:27 AM

I've only tried one GHS BB-string, which was a .130. An experience which didn't make me wanna try them again - it sounded DEAD in comparison with the DR LoRiders I had on. Go for D'Addario XL. Cheap and very very good.

John Wentzien · #15 12-18-2007, 05:34 AM

Webstrings.com stainless... I switched to these after using Rotos for 30 years! A lot smoother w/ tight lows and smoother highs...also only about $10 US a pack! Very similar to D'addarios.
(edit) Last a long time...

Foxworthy925 · #16 12-18-2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. I actually placed an order with mf yesterday, so I ordered some D'addario EXLs too. I'll see how I like 'em and then consider the fender strings and the ones on webstrings. thanks.