Victor Wooten now using D'Addario Strings

[lowfreq33]

I've tried a bunch of different strings, but i keep going back to D'Addario. Nothing else sounds or feels as good to me.

[Just Thumpin']

This is a completely incorrect statement. Our strings are made by three people that work for us an no one else. Feel free to learn more about it here...

http://www.fodera.com/PublicPages/BassStrings.aspx

Jason

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Now think about Fodera strings that Wooten was using. Who makes those? Certainly not Fodera. They have them made for them by a string manufacturer. I'd bet they are made by D'Addario. They make strings for a lot of companies.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by RedLeg

P.S. there aren't that many actual string manufacturers. D'addario, dunlop, ball, etc make a lot of OEM stuff for boutique labels. And if you really want to be amazed, look up a little company called Mapes Piano String Company, especially the specialty wire. They sell the metal wire to virtually every US manufacturer. So enjoy that fancy packaging!

Don't forget:
LaBella
DR
GHS
SIT
Dean Markley
Rotosound
R. Cocco
Curt Mangan

All of whom actually make their strings. There are more than you might think. Seems the only folks who OEM strings anymore are the boutique bass manufacturers like Spector, Sadowsky, Tobias, Ken Smith, Pedulla, who have their own string designs manufactured by an OEM supplier. Even Fender does not make their own strings.

And yes..Fodera makes their own strings right there on site.


As far as the wire...I don't think any string manufacturers make wire. They don't make paper envelopes either. Just as Ford does not make tires..or glass..or carpet. They all can use different wire gauges and formulas, and it's what they DO with that wire that makes each string different and special.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Just Thumpin'

This is a completely incorrect statement. Our strings are made by three people that work for us an no one else. Feel free to learn more about it here...

http://www.fodera.com/PublicPages/BassStrings.aspx

Jason

I stand corrected! Thanks!

That's what I call hand made strings! Very cool.

(that's what happens when you assume....)

[LucienBel]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

D'Addario?? Really? I have to buy them for my 6er because they're the only thing stocked in town, am I the only one who finds they suck horribly and the A string pretty much always has that awful chorus-y effect, sometimes it gets other strings too, but always on the A for me.

As stated earlier though, it's not like this will change his tone even a fraction of a percent, nor will it change yours.

I've been playing D'addario for years and have heard of this problem a lot. I had never had this problem up until last week. I was on vacation and had a chance to sit down and do a full set up on my Fender Jazz, threw a set of my normal D'addario's and bam....also getting that annoying sound off the A string. As I said, never had the problem before, so I'm hoping maybe this was just a bad set or something. Dealing with it for now, hopefully better luck next time.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Geeze, I don't see anything wrong with D'Addarios. I've been using the XLs for about 15 years now. What I like about them is they are very consistent and last forever. They are also kind to my frets. The low B in particular is great.

I've had a similar experience with D'Addarios. Their XLs stay nice and bright for a long time, and they're very consistent. In the 15 years I've been using them, I've only had one bum string.

Their customer service was top notch when I asked about replacing that one string, too.

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Rotosounds are great, and they like to eat frets for lunch! Used them for about 15 years back in the 70s.

Man, the 70s must have been one long decade.

[Double E]

Originally Posted by Handyman

Man, the 70s must have been one long decade.

The 70's actually started in late 1967 and lasted until about mid 1983...a little more than 15 years by a couple months.

[fenderhutz]

I am still wondering how much he gets per 150-200 power cable that company sells.

Victor Wooten Signature MusicCord-PRO Purple Power Cord Guitar Bass | Essential Sound Products

[ThreeBeanSalad]

Originally Posted by DWBass

$16 for a 4 string set at Best Buy

Wait, wait, wait... Best Buy sells strings?

Is there a Geek Squad for that too?

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

guess what, he is going to sound like Vic regardless of what strings he uses.

And I'm NOT going to sound like him regardless of what strings I use.

[sotua]

Originally Posted by ggoat!!!

I've tried D'Addarios about three or four times over the last 25 years.

All the roundwounds I tried had the same result..."grippy" feeling, slightly rough, and inconsistent output with terrible mids. They were snappy and zingy at first, but always lacked that midrange warmth. Also, they seemed to be quiet when played acoustically...there just wasn't as much SOUND there.

QUOTED FOR TRUTH!

I don't mind their sound, but the feel (which is what ultimately defined a string IMO) I've never been comfortable with D'Addarios.

Thanks $DEITY for DR String

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by ThreeBeanSalad

Wait, wait, wait... Best Buy sells strings?

Is there a Geek Squad for that too?

Yeah, they have a minor staging for Guitar related stuff. Strings, Picks, Cables, Tuners, Capos, Zoom recorders, etc....

They also sell GHS Boomers and Ernie Ball Slinkys as well as D'Addario's. All 4 string sets under $20. I didn't see any 5 string sets in the store but they can be purchased online.

[scottfeldstein]

I use D'Addario XL ProSteels on my Ibanez SR, "light" 45-130. I like them because they're nice and bright. It's also handy that they're ubiquitous. I can buy them at any music store in town, or online from a dozen different vendors including Amazon.

Still, I'm open to different experiences. Maybe my perfect strings are still out there waiting for me to discover them.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I use D'Addario XL ProSteels on my Ibanez SR, "light" 45-130. I like them because they're nice and bright. It's also handy that they're ubiquitous. I can buy them at any music store in town, or online from a dozen different vendors including Amazon.

Still, I'm open to different experiences. Maybe my perfect strings are still out there waiting for me to discover them.

I tried the ProSteels. I liked them albeit just a tab bit bright (considering I'm a slapper) for my taste. The XL Brights give me the right amount of 'bright'.

[scottfeldstein]

My (likely flawed) thinking on it is thus: it's easier for me to EQ some brightness out when I don't want it than to EQ it in if it isn't there to begin with.

[gkbass13]

Maybe this will mean clearouts of VW signature Fodera strings...

If so, I will be stockpiling them, as I havnt played anythign that felt better for me and my playing.

[southpaw420]

I'm always trying out different brands of strings and I always seem to end up with D'addario XL's. Was using DRs for a while but I find them to be too inconsistent. XL's are just where its at for me. Sounds good, feels good, lasts a good couple months, and doesnt kill my wallet.

[DiabolusInMusic]

Originally Posted by Double E

The chorus effect probably has something to do with your setup. If the pickups are too close to the strings, it can result in some odd string effects that could certainly be more noticeable with some strings.

If every set of their strings produced an awful chorus-y effect, they'd go out of business faster than you could say "Palmystery".

It definitely has nothing to do with my setup, when I throw DR's on it sound amazing, it's the strings. Since you think chorus-y strings are acceptable I am imagining your bass also produces a horrible hum when you don't touch the strings and it is just fine. (Shielding joke)

Also, its not like I cannot get strings shipped in, but it costs $$ to get stuff across the 49th parallel, a set of DR puts me back about $60. I don't like the chorus-y affect but I am also not in denial about the tone people hear at shows, it's very minor in my day to day situation. Tone hounds in small clubs with 4 people watching always amuse me.

[DiabolusInMusic]

Originally Posted by ThreeBeanSalad

Wait, wait, wait... Best Buy sells strings?

Is there a Geek Squad for that too?

Ha Geek Squad doing guitar setups... man that will be depressing when they actually start. They can't be any worse than my local mega-chain I suppose...

[LucienBel]

I'll have to hit the local BestBuy for my next set of D'add's. Those are pretty good prices.