Worst string manufactuer you know

[Kragnorak]

When I first heard of Dean Markley's Blue Steel strings, they seemed so cool, with that cryogenic jargon and awesome packaging. So I used those strings exclusively for a couple years in the 90s, until I really listened and realized how lifeless they sounded and started wondering why my strings died so quickly.

I tend to give strings a beating anyway due to playing style and hand moisture, so I've had better luck with Elixirs and Super Slinky's. Basically, strings that are built to retain tone for eons work better than strings that sound great when new and then can get their tone slaughtered in a gig.

Logic dictates that I should pay attention to what other sweaty bassists such as Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan use (besides wristbands), but they can also afford to have their strings changed after every show, so I take that with a giant helping of salt.

[petrus61]

Originally Posted by 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.

Really? The Sunbeams at least I know actually have a smaller outer wrap which results in a much smoother feel than say, any other round I've ever tried, IME.

[JTE]

Originally Posted by 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.

I liked the SloWounds too. D'Addario says they stopped marketing them because they adopted the slow winding process to the regular production. I believe that the XL series nickel strings are now the same as the SloWounds were. I don't know because I've pretty much stuck with DR ( Sunbeams and Hi-Beams) for rounds so since about 1999.

John

[gunlak]

seems like a lot of people here doesn't know how to properly install a set of DR's..

they're my favorite.

Olympia sucks coz it leaves lead marks on your fingers.
runner up is Ernie Ball for it's short life.

[mellowgerman]

Originally Posted by gunlak

seems like a lot of people here doesn't know how to properly install a set of DR's..

they're my favorite.

I was curious if this had something to do with it... round cores are finicky in regard to installation, but if they're crimped, put on straight, and not twisted, I've never had a problem. Nickel LoRiders are my favorite rounds and Legends are my favorite flats.
Not to say all problems or dud strings are a result of improper installation, but I can honestly say that I know a lot of fantastic, talented, experienced bassists, that don't have the patience or interest in installing a set of strings properly. My buddies love to pick on me because of how specific I am when it comes to putting strings on my instruments

[jaxstarke]

Rotosound are pretty low on my list. Go dead with a quickness. Could be because I bought some pretty light gauge strings though. Anywho, these are my fav.'s recently. Cheap, last a while and they're cheap.

[Jammin Johneboy]

For the Canadians

Quote from eriky4003 > " This is going to be my year of string experimentation. I'm focusing on the DR's which seem to have a lot of love on TB (maybe not on this thread).
My own observations from recent purchases: Blue Steels are great, D'Addario are good. I found a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky's didn't seem to remain bright very long but felt nice. For Canadians, I bought a set of Long & McQuade's house brand (suspected made by Dean Markeley) and they only remained bright for about two or three weeks and then became quite dull. "

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I have known the manager of the local Long and McQuade for the over 30 years that he has been there and consider him a friend . He told me that Long and McQuade's own brand of strings are in fact Dean Markleys .

Your information is correct eriky4003.

[WarrenD]

I wouldn't say any string maker is the worst. I've tried many brands and have enjoyed all of them. I've had a few 'thumpy' Rotosounds over the years (Swing Bass '66 SS), but I stay with them as, if you get a good set, they're the best... for me anyway.

[RhynoRock]

I've only ever had one dead string from Roto 66's. I like the Elixir Nanoweb a LOT, but just too expensive. Never broke a single Roto. Pedulla taperwounds were pretty nice too, very flexible, but a tad pricey. DR, GHS and Markley all let me down, I think I broke a string on every set. Once I switched to Rotosound, I haven't broken a single string in about 6 years.

[Doodaddy]

I'm not surprised to see DR hate as I've not really had great experiences with them (preference thing, their popularity shows I'm in the minoroity); I'm just surprised to see it on Talkbass.

[eriky4003]

I'm unpleasantly surprised about the Dean Markeley's. I used to use (not sure if they're still around) DM's Superwounds which I found bright and not as expensive as Rotosounds. Disappointed in the L&M house brand but really like Blue Steels.

Originally Posted by Jammin Johneboy

For the Canadians


Quote from eriky4003 > " This is going to be my year of string experimentation. I'm focusing on the DR's which seem to have a lot of love on TB (maybe not on this thread).
My own observations from recent purchases: Blue Steels are great, D'Addario are good. I found a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky's didn't seem to remain bright very long but felt nice. For Canadians, I bought a set of Long & McQuade's house brand (suspected made by Dean Markeley) and they only remained bright for about two or three weeks and then became quite dull. "

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have known the manager of the local Long and McQuade for the over 30 years that he has been there and consider him a friend . He told me that Long and McQuade's own brand of strings are in fact Dean Markleys .

Your information is correct eriky4003.

[petrus61]

Originally Posted by gunlak

seems like a lot of people here doesn't know how to properly install a set of DR's...

Yep

[tsunami1052]

Top 3:
1. Naked Strings.
2. Fender.
3. Dunlop

[Solarmist]

EB Slinky - they just don't sound good IMO.

[eyeballkid]

alright, i'm about to sound dumb, but how do you improperly install strings?? string em thru, wind em down, done. only thing I can think would be improper would be if you wound up the post and didn't get good contact with the nut, or cut em short that there wasn't enough winding to hold position.. neither way would affect your tone as much as ruin playability. am I missing something?

[Doodaddy]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

alright, i'm about to sound dumb, but how do you improperly install strings?? string em thru, wind em down, done. only thing I can think would be improper would be if you wound up the post and didn't get good contact with the nut, or cut em short that there wasn't enough winding to hold position.. neither way would affect your tone as much as ruin playability. am I missing something?

Twisted strings are a complete tonal nightmare and far more common than you would think.

I personally think it's a bit of a cop out as an excuse in this thread. This thread is about preference of string manufacturers and negating a preference because you disagree based on your own bias is a sad double standard.

I play Dunlop on several of my basses and have seen that company listed in this thread several times; I suppose I should say it's their fault they don't like what I like.

[ME16510]

Honestly I love Ernie Ball strings. They sound nice and punchy to me. I use super slinkys for low tunings and extra slinky for drop D and above... I really really don't like GHS strings though. As for D addario the Pro Steels are great!

[Stone Soup]

Originally Posted by Doodaddy

I play Dunlop on several of my basses and have seen that company listed in this thread several times; I suppose I should say it's their fault they don't like what I like.

I really like Dunlop strings.

For the defenders of DR strings: My problem with DR was two dud E strings in a row and then a dud A string. They were all High Beams. 3 strikes, you're out.

[gary m]

Worst? Darco, hands down. Terrible quality control.

Also, any of the Chinese manufactured sets lurking in bargain bins under several brand names (and yes, Darco is one of those).

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by ME16510

Honestly I love Ernie Ball strings. They sound nice and punchy to me. I use super slinkys for low tunings and extra slinky for drop D and above... I really really don't like GHS strings though. As for D addario the Pro Steels are great!

+1 for ProSteels