Worst string manufactuer you know

[SBsoundguy]

Originally Posted by jasper383

I too am surprised at the DR responses. I have always found their strings to be really high quality, and have a refined feel to them that no other string has.

When you pay 50% more than other brands for a set of 4s you expect something that's going to last longer.

[king_biscuit]

I really like DR strings. I actually don't find any of the manufacturers to be all that bad, and sometimes I think all of us make too much over the subtle differences between some string types (e.g., XLs vs. Slinkies, or Chromes vs. EB flats).

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I actually don't find any of the manufacturers to be all that bad,

+1

I have tried just about all of them, and imo they are all very good.

The only strings I have truly not liked were the Musician's Friend brand I got at a grand opening for $5, maybe less, for a set. They were crap.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by JTE

Dean Markley. Only because my personal contact with Mr. Markley was atrocious. He was an abominable jerk.

John

John,

This has me curious.

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I actually don't find any of the manufacturers to be all that bad, and sometimes I think all of us make too much over the subtle differences between some string types (e.g., XLs vs. Slinkies, or Chromes vs. EB flats).

Agreed.

I've found success with many of these strings as well as come to the realization that they just aren't for me. I stopped using DR because they're more expensive, they don't offer a nickel tapered B, and I've been getting into the balanced tension thing lately. Not because of QC. Every set of DR I've opened have been quality.

[backup]

the only strings that can really be considered bad quality are the no name strings some major online stores sell.
every one has different preferences when it comes to strings.
i cant stand roto and d'addario. fender rounds died very quickly. i love DR strings (sun beams, low riders).

[svlilioukalani]

DR High beams are the best to my ears. And they last a long ass time.

[AuntieBeeb]

Reading this thread has made me wonder whether Rotosounds just don't travel too well - I've still yet to be let down by a set, but then I am buying them in the UK, and only about 30 miles from the factory at that!

I've not tried a massive range, but the biggest let-down for me have been Ernie Ball. They sound lovely when you first put them on, but if you pick up the same guitar/bass a couple of days later you wonder whether somebody came in and swapped them for an old set while you were sleeping!

The tone just seemed to die off too quickly the few times I've used them. I'm sure they're great if you can afford to change them every other day, but I certainly can't!

[Rockin Mike]

What I'm seeing is that pretty much all strings have fans and haters.
I like Rotosound Swing 66 Stainless Steel myself.

[MrLenny1]

Fender, waste of money.
Had Roto's badly contaminated right out of the box.
GHS Boomers & D'Addarios do well on my basses.

[rtav]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I'm really surprised at all the DR hate. Used them for many years and they've always been great.
I was going to say that Webstrings sold me some real duds.

+1 LOVE mine

[4001]

Originally Posted by AuntieBeeb

Reading this thread has made me wonder whether Rotosounds just don't travel too well - I've still yet to be let down by a set, but then I am buying them in the UK, and only about 30 miles from the factory at that!

Rotosound let me down for a couple of years around 20 years ago. I was getting dead strings in each set. I switched to DR Hi-Beams for a few years but returned to Rotosound and they are still the best. No problems for a long time now. They travel just fine to Chicago.

[4001]

If I could, I'd like to ask Chris Squire and Geddy Lee, both Rotosound 66 users, if they experienced any of the dead string issues that I and many others have dealt with years ago. Just curious because it seemed random that one set would be OK and then the next wouldn't. For all the sets of strings they burned through on tours, I'm wondering if they were ever in that situation where they had to keep opening yet another set to get all four strings ringing bright instead of three that were bright and zingy and one sounding like it was dipped in wallpaper paste.

[Nev375]

Over the many years I've been playing I've tried almost every single GHS bass string product. (mostly because of their availability when I want to try something different)

They have consistently been a dissappointment.

[madmarvin]

The new Dean Markley Blue Steels. About 10+ year ago they were all I would use, now I won't touch them. Thankfully though I love DR Lo-riders. I found the exact opposite of what everyone has stated against them. I hate the DRs when I first put them on, but after about 3 or so days they settle in nice and stay that way for about 3months, then I probably should change them but hang on to them for probably another 3 months.

To each his own. My guess is that if James Jamerson pulled his strings off and put them on anyone else's bass they would say they were the worst strings ever.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I've been in stores (big name and mom and pop) that have strings sets in packaging that is literally ten years old baking next to a Window packaging cracking and fading. If someone buys those they will make the list no matter what the brand most likely.

[f64]

It’s funny how time seems to change my opinion of string manufacturers. Up until a few years ago my go to brands were DR and Roto. Irrespective of SS/Chrome or flat/round they always had something to keep me happy. Good construction, long life, subtle changes in sound – they hit all three. Lately I’ve had issues with DR’s breaking, mostly during set-up and Roto’s looking like they packaged four/five completely different strings in a set – some bright looking and sounding – some dull or almost corroded looking with a dead sound. The only one I’m still using are the DR Legend flats which are perfect on my 72P.
I don’t know who is making the strings for Alembic but the QC and design are what I’m looking for most times. Only issues are, at times, price and most often availability.

[zachoff]

DR feels rougher than the others I've tried. I'm not a super fan of Fender strings either. I've never had problems breaking strings so that's not really an issue.

[odin70]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Hmm. Never had a dead Roto.

+1
I use Roto flats. Always great strings.

[Tunaman]

Fodera- the spiral wraps were so uneven through the whole string.

[Munjibunga]

Rotosound. I like D'Addario Slowounds, which they don't make anymore. My favorites are TI Power Bass, but the Foderas are nice, too.