What's Your String History?

[PBnJBassist]

Most people have gone through at least a couple of different string brands/manufacturers throughout their bass-playing days - minus the handful of lucky ones that fell in love with their 1st set of strings. So, this past month (+ a couple of weeks), I went through a handful of brands and gauges, and have finally settled on GHS's Precision Flatwounds Regular .055-.105 set. During my short span of 2+ years of playing has taken me through the following:

Fender Light Nickel Rounds .045-.100
D'Addario XL Light Rounds .045-.100
D'Addario Chromes Light .045-.100
D'Addario Chromes Medium .050-.105
New Fender Light Flats .045-.100
GHS Precision Medium Flats .045-.105
GHS Precision Regular Flats .055-.105
Fender Nylon Tape Wounds .058-.110
La Bella FX Extra Light Deep Talkin' Flats .039-.096
Rotosound 77 Steve Harris Flats .050-.110
Ernie Ball Group I Custom Flats .055-.110

After going through IMO more money than I should on strings, I'm glad I found a set that I'm comfortable playing with. I went from knowing nothing about strings to searching for that classic "thump" to looking for the thickest & highest tension flats available to settling back down for a compromise of tension/thickness/tone. So, what's your string history? Lastly, what string brand/manufacturer and gauge did you settle on/fall in love with and why?

[Kenova]

Oh, I need to remember, but something like this:

- Stock Yamaha strings on my first bass (probably SS 45-105) - I was begginer, I don't remember, they all sounded the same
- Rotosound RS66 (45-105) - two sets, two broken strings after one week -.-'' dont like the feel
- Rotosound RS66LDN (45-105) - ok, don't like the feel, die very fast
- Rotosound SH77 (50-110) - very high tension, but one of the best sounds ever, great strings
- D'addario ProSteels (45-105) - meh...too generic, too bright
- D'addario XL (45-105) - weird feeling under fingers, die very fast, no character
- D'addario Half Rounds (40-100) - ok, in the middle of the road, but nowhere
- D'addario Chromes (40-100) - good strings, just ok
- Daddario Chromes (45-105) - good, stiff, muddy E string
- Darco nickels (45-105) - ok, nothing special, similar to D'addario nickels
- GHS Boomers (45-105) - great feeling, little stiff, mid scooped, little boomy
- Warwick Red Label (40-100) - one of the worst strings, thin sounding, die quickly
- Soundstation (40-95) - every string different wrap -.-'' cheap cehap cheap, disaster
- Thomastik Infeld Super Alloys (45-105) - great strings, one of the best, little mid scooped
- DR Sunbeams (45-100) - best strings ever...great sounding, warm, flexibile, mid heavy, great low end, but shy highs, not god for slap

[tsverrir]

Wow. I can't remember what strings I tried, but for my 70's P-Bass I'm stuck on Thomastik Infeld Jazz Bass JF344 (43-100), they give me the thump I was looking for in that bass.

I recently got a Yamaha BB3000 and am looking for the right strings for that one, going for roundwounds. Currently I have DR Lowriders, 45-105 hex core. I find the tension to high and the sound to coarse. I'm thinking of trying out TI Super Alloys, they are the same diameter as the lowriders, but have round core and a silk winding around the core for greater flexibility.

It's a huge money saver when you finally find the strings you like.

[kombi]

- Career factory strings (dunno the gauge)
- Rotosound 66 Swing Bass (95-...). Hated, they didn't even last five minutes.
- LaBella Deep Talking Bass Flatwound (104-...). Total love. Oh my, it's true what they say about flats!

I also have a set of Ernie Ball SuperSlinky (Roundwound) as a spare set, if a string should break or whatever. Never used Ernie Ball Strings on a Bass before, dunno if I'll like them (I like them on my electric guitar). But for now, I'm gonna stick with my flats anyway!

[madbassplaya]

Peavey factory Strings
EBMM Slinkys (used over the years)
Elixirs
EBMM POWER Slinky's
Dean Markely Blue Steels
Hartke's
D'Addario Chromes
D'Addario Nickels (used over the years)
Fender 8250s
DR HiBeams
SIT Power Wounds
Dunlop Nickels
Ken Smith Burners
DR Sunbeams (currently using)

There have been more but thats all I can think of.

[CTC564]

I've used many that were mentioned but some of my faves that weren't mentioned were---

GHS Bass Boomers

Dean Markley SR2000 and Blue Steels

[KJung]

Fun thread. While I have used many different strings (i.e., Fodera strings on my Fodera, MTD strings on my MTD, etc.), my overall string path from the mid 70's to today is:

- Rotosounds for probably 10 years. It was all there was back then if you wanted that grindy aggressive tone. Used them on a Ric and then a Music Man for years. Wonderful aggressive tone, went dead WAY too fast.

- Moved to Dean Markley 'SuperRounds' (SuperWounds... can't quite remember the name). A bit smoother than the Roto's, and lasted a lot longer

- Finally moved to DR Hi Beams... smoother yet (still with plenty of bite), and they last FOREVER.

My recent dabbling into a P Bass has made me very much appreciate the Dunlop Nickels.... growly as heck, and they also last forever.

[jacojbass]

man, I have use what seems like everything out there.... I always came back to D'addarios...I love their feel,suppleness, and brightness.

[stepswork4me]

1. GHS Bassics
2. GHS Boomers
3. DR Hi-Beams
4. Dean Markley Blue Steels
5. DR Hi-Beams
6. Elixirs
7. DR Hi-Beams
8. DR Lowriders
9. DR Hi-Beams
10. DR Sunbeams
11. DR Hi-Beams
12. D'Addario XL Nickel (Put on by tech after defret) I don't know if this bass will stay and if so what strings will become my choice for fretless...

[mmbongo]

Everything else
DR Sunbeams for nickel
DR FatBeams for SS

Pretty much sums it up

[kanonfodr]

I've used

4-Strings:
D'Addario Chromes - Favorite Strings of all time, love them
GHS Precision Flats - Ugh, not happy with them
DR Hi-Beams - Currently gigging these, work great on my Ibanez Mikro

5-Strings:
D'Addario EXL-170 - Not bad for roundwounds, but not exceptional either.
D'Addario Chromes - <3 them on my 5-string.

I wish I could try more, but I'm super happy where I'm at now. I keep my 4-bangers strung with DR Hi-Beams for their more edgy sound compared to the Chromes but my 5-string will be strung with the Chromes for a long time.

Peace,
Greg

[JTE]

Over the years (I started gigging in 1976)... There's a lot of overlap because I used different sets on different basses, and I've had at least two basses since '79.

Fender 850 flats (don't know the gauges, but they weren't even increments- I think it was 55 -108 or thereabouts) '76 - '78

LaBella Old Originals flats (now the "Jamerson" set, but this was before they marketed them with any reference to James Jamerson)- 55- 110 think '78

D'Addario Half-Round HR-72 55/65/85/105 nickle half-rounds '77-'80

GHS Brite Flats- another modified roundwound, used two different gauges, the regular medium set and a custom set designed by Joel DiBartolo, the Tonight Show bassist who passed last week. '79-83

GHS Boomers- 45-105 '83
D'Addario stainless rounds (XLS-570 55/65/85/105) '82 - '86
D'Addario XL-170(?) the 50/70/85/105 '84 - '90
D'Addario XL-165 45/65/85/105 '89-'98?
D'Addario SloWounds 45/65/85/105 '98?- 2000
Lakland Stainless (which are really GHS Super Steels) 2000-2002
Lakland Joe Osborn Flats (which are really GHS Precision Flats) 2001 -now
DR HiBeams 45/65/85/105 2001 -now
DR Sunbeams 45/65/85/105 2001 -now

Pretty much since 2001 I've used HiBeams on my fretted basses with rounds and Sunbeams on my fretless basses with rounds. The two Precision (VS '62 and Sting) and the fretless mongrel P/J have GHS or Lakland flats on them and have for up to five years. I got two sets of Dunlop nickles for a good price about two years ago and one set is still on the fretted Lakland. The other set hasn't been opened yet, but I'm feeling the DR HiBeams are better for me on that bass.

The 55-01 has only had about four sets of strings on it so far- the stock Lakland stainless ones (two sets), a set of DR Hi-Beams (no taper!!! and a 0.130" B), and a set of Peavey Cirrus that has a slightly tapered B and E. Jury's still out, but I'm thinking the DR were better than anything I've tried yet- and a non-tapered B is very important to maintaining consistency across all five strings.

There were also stray trials of one or two sets of different things over the years- Rotosound RS-66 (too twangy, and died way too quick without settling into a good useable sound for me, GHS Pro=Steels, GHS Progressives, some "custom strings" from when G&L switched from shipping with GHS flats to GHS Boomers- our sales rep had a bunch of the factory flats I bought for like $5/set, D'Addario Reds, D'Angelico, Dean Markely Ground Round Wounds, Dean Markely rounds, DM which were ground over the fingerboard and totally round between the bridge and the neck, LaBella Deep Talkin' flats, TI Flats, TI Jazz rounds, Fender 9050s, Fender nickle rounds (900? around '78) and some other ones that were SUPPOSED to be the same as they shipped on my Sting, but were totally different, and a unknown trial set D'Addario sent me when I managed the store, etc.
John

[dwm74]

Dunlops extra lights (or something like that...they were given to me, didn't care for them)
GHS Boomers (too bright at first, but not bad after a while)
Chromes 50-105 (loved them for a long time, then the high tension got to me)
Ernie Ball rounds (came on the Ray34...way too zingy for my taste)
Chromes 45-100 (much better than the thicker 50-105's)
D'addario EXL170 Nickels (45-100... my favorite roundwound)
D'addario EXL160 Nickels (50-105 like these a lot too, but they're rougher...too much finger noise)

FWIW, I switch back & forth between those same sets of EXL160's and Chromes about every month or two, depending on my mood at the time.

GHS Precision Flats - Ugh, not happy with them

Greg, I was considering trying these out next...can I ask what about them you didn't like?

[danomite64]

D'addario EXL170 Nickels
GHS Boomers
Rotosound 66LD
Rotosound 66LDN

[brotherbassj]

D'addarrio
Gibson
GHS
Rotosound
Musicians friend brand
Blue steel
La Bella
Warwick
ALL the DR's
D'addarrio (nickels 45-105 same as original)
Dunlop 45-105 (now endorsed by)

I'm sure I've missed quit a few brands. I will try just about any strings.....all different guages too!

[Darylw425]

I started brighter with Blue Steels, DR Hi Beams, then went to Flats for a while with Chromes on my SR5, now back to Rounds but still experimenting. Gotta love the never ending journey for tone...

[Luckie]

I started with roto 77 flats, then moved to DR long necks on my 5er. Sold the 5er, currently using a p with GHS 3060 tapes.

[Brad Barker]

Ernie Ball Slinky
GHS Boomers 45-100/45-105
DR Lo-Riders
DR Hi-Beams
DR Fat Beams
Dean Markley SR2000 (still my current string), various gauges
Dean Markley flatwounds (discontinued, I believe)
Ernie Ball Steel Slinky
Dean Markley Blue Steels
Dean Markley Solid Bass
D'Addario Pro Steels

still experimenting on strings for fretless

[chaosMK]

Out of my last 10 sets...

8 DR Lo-Rider
1 DR Hi Beam (given to me)
1 Blue Steel (out of Lo Riders and had to get something)

[Craig_S]

I've tried too many brands to remember all of them, so I'll go with the ones I used more than once. I'm trying to remember back a long time.

Ernie Ball Slinkies
Kaman Performers (the first coated string I ever saw [I'm thinking 1982])
Dean Markley nickel
GHS Boomers (loved the tone, but they died too quickly)
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 (loved the tone, hated the feel and they died really quickly)
D'Addario nickels (for many years)
D'Addario Prism Stainless (burned through a case and went back to nickels)
DR High Beams (quit them due to quality issues. I also didn't care for the feel.)
D'Addario nickels again (for years)
Elixirs on my SR5 for years. It now wears Dunlop
EDIT: Forgot to add that I keep a set of LaBella 760fl on one of my Jazz Basses
I've settled on Dunlop. I've been using the nickels for as long as they've been around, I think...

I've tried so many other brands and styles in between. These are just the strings I stuck with for any length of time.

Originally Posted by KJung

My recent dabbling into a P Bass has made me very much appreciate the Dunlop Nickels.... growly as heck, and they also last forever.

I've been trying to spread the word. Dunlop is making some really great strings. The nickels have a beautiful classic (to my ears) sound. I love them on my Jazz Bass as well, but I play classic rock and pop. You're a Jazz player, as I recall.