• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Talk to me about Optima 24k gold strings

g-dude

g-dude

Apr 20, 2018
8,208
25,421
Hiding under my desk
#1
So I currently have the gold La Bella flats on my P-Bass, and they sound great, but...

I need something with less tension. I can tell I’m getting hand strain while playing them. Not good.

So although I could switch to a lighter flatwound, I want gold to match the hardware (gold hardware on black P-Bass).

Enter Optima strings.

So the question I have is that I see three varieties: the regular gold ones, studiobass unique, and maxiflex.

Anyone have experience with these strings who can help shed light on which variety to go with, and possibly which gauge?

By way of reference, I’m running TI jazz rounds on my jazz bass, but I don’t need to go that low on the tension scale. I would like to keep as much P-Bass thump as possible, and prefer more of a vintage sound to modern. Smoothness is a big factor for me - hate excessive string noise and friction to the point where I threw away a set of rotosounds after playing them for about a minute.
 
#3
I tried their flats some years ago. The tension was right up there with LaBellas IMO. And they had a slight tacky feel. Not quite what you’d call sticky. But I could definitely feel some finger drag. I also wasn’t particularly wild about their tone.

Smoothest feel of anything I’ve played are Chromes and TIs. Lowest tension are TI Flats. Period. For general purpose use, a light gauge (#3025) set of GHS Precision Flats hits a sweet spot for feel, tone, and price. Not gold finished unfortunately.

If you’re getting hand strain you might first want to reassess your playing technique. And possibly look into Simandl. In the meantime I’d strongly suggest forgoing cosmetics and maybe consider getting a set of TIs for tge time being. RSI is nothing to flirt around with.

Luck! :thumbsup:
 
#4
40Hz said:
I tried their flats some years ago. The tension was right up there with LaBellas IMO. And they had a slight tacky feel. Not quite what you’d call sticky. But I could definitely feel some finger drag. I also wasn’t particularly wild about their tone.

Smoothest feel of anything I’ve played are Chromes and TIs. Lowest tension are TI Flats. Period. For general purpose use, a light gauge (#3025) set of GHS Precision Flats hits a sweet spot for feel, tone, and price. Not gold finished unfortunately.

If you’re getting hand strain you might first want to reassess your playing technique. And possibly look into Simandl. In the meantime I’d strongly suggest forgoing cosmetics and maybe consider getting a set of TIs for tge time being. RSI is nothing to flirt around with.

Luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Already running TIs on my jazz bass. Not sure I want a string that light on my precision - even setting aside the cosmetics.

My issue seems to be the fact that the base of my thumb is closer to hyper mobile than normal range of motion. As a result, there’s too much slack in the joint, if that makes sense. Makes it really easy to screw something up, even when I’m not playing bass.

Is there much else to simandl besides using the pinky and ring as a single finger? I already do that for the most part, until I get around 7th or 8th fret.

My usual fix for my thumb issue when it flares up is to completely remove my thumb from the equation, laying it alongside the fretboard on the E string side. I lose some speed, but nothing too serious.
 
#5
g-dude said:
My usual fix for my thumb issue when it flares up is to completely remove my thumb from the equation, laying it alongside the fretboard on the E string side. I lose some speed, but nothing too serious.
Click to expand...

Have you tried using the floating thumb technique. That shouldn’t slow your speed down. You don’t absolutely need to anchor your thumb to get speed. Just cut back on the depth of your anchor stroke. A bass ramp can help if thats an issue too.

g-dude said:
Is there much else to simandl besides using the pinky and ring as a single finger?
Click to expand...

Yes. But for your particular issue where it’s your thumb that’s giving you stones, it probably wouldn’t make any difference.

For strings try a light gauge set of GHS Precision Flats. They’re not too high tension. And they have a remarkable amount of punch despite being lights. I’ve got them on one PB with a period correct Klein Epic pickup and they sound great.
 
#7
40Hz said:
Have you tried using the floating thumb technique. That shouldn’t slow your speed down. You don’t absolutely need to anchor your thumb to get speed. Just cut back on the depth of your anchor stroke. A bass ramp can help if thats an issue too.



Yes. But for your particular issue where it’s your thumb that’s giving you stones, it probably wouldn’t make any difference.

For strings try a light gauge set of GHS Precision Flats. They’re not too high tension. And they have a remarkable amount of punch despite being lights. I’ve got them on one PB with a period correct Klein Epic pickup and they sound great.
Click to expand...

Oh, I never have a thumb issue with my right hand. It’s literally just on my fretting hand.

The only time I have ever had right hand issues was playing a set of Rotosound SH77 flats for several hours over two days — ended up with blood blisters on my right hand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 40Hz
#8
g-dude said:
Oh, I never have a thumb issue with my right hand. It’s literally just on my fretting hand.

The only time I have ever had right hand issues was playing a set of Rotosound SH77 flats for several hours over two days — ended up with blood blisters on my right hand.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. They can do that to you. :laugh:
 
#9
g-dude said:
So I currently have the gold La Bella flats on my P-Bass, and they sound great, but...

I need something with less tension. I can tell I’m getting hand strain while playing them. Not good.

So although I could switch to a lighter flatwound, I want gold to match the hardware (gold hardware on black P-Bass).

Enter Optima strings.

So the question I have is that I see three varieties: the regular gold ones, studiobass unique, and maxiflex.

Anyone have experience with these strings who can help shed light on which variety to go with, and possibly which gauge?

By way of reference, I’m running TI jazz rounds on my jazz bass, but I don’t need to go that low on the tension scale. I would like to keep as much P-Bass thump as possible, and prefer more of a vintage sound to modern. Smoothness is a big factor for me - hate excessive string noise and friction to the point where I threw away a set of rotosounds after playing them for about a minute.
Click to expand...

You can try the Optima 35-90 gauge 24K set # 1999.L They should have a light feel. I have never tried their gold strings, they're very expensive and just don't appeal to me. Optima flatwounds, the Chrome ( not to be confused with D'Addario Chromes ) and RB series are excellent. Their Chrome roundwound series is excellent too.
 
#10
Update: after playing these strings for a bit, I’m loving them. Got compliments on how nice they sounded, which is a good endorsement.

I do find that I’m rolling off my tone knob a bit to get them to sound like I prefer, but that just means I have gone to spare!
 
#11
g-dude said:
Update: after playing these strings for a bit, I’m loving them. Got compliments on how nice they sounded, which is a good endorsement.

I do find that I’m rolling off my tone knob a bit to get them to sound like I prefer, but that just means I have gone to spare!
Click to expand...
g-dude said:
three varieties: the regular gold ones, studiobass unique, and maxiflex.
Click to expand...
So which type did you end up trying?
 
#13
g-dude said:
Already running TIs on my jazz bass. Not sure I want a string that light on my precision - even setting aside the cosmetics.

My issue seems to be the fact that the base of my thumb is closer to hyper mobile than normal range of motion. As a result, there’s too much slack in the joint, if that makes sense. Makes it really easy to screw something up, even when I’m not playing bass.

Is there much else to simandl besides using the pinky and ring as a single finger? I already do that for the most part, until I get around 7th or 8th fret.

My usual fix for my thumb issue when it flares up is to completely remove my thumb from the equation, laying it alongside the fretboard on the E string side. I lose some speed, but nothing too serious.
Click to expand...
You are using TI jazz rounds, which have a lower tension that the flats, model code name TI JF344 ...
 
#14
I love them, they poopie on everything. No one is gonna show up to the gig/festival/jam/church with my tone lol

... could be a bad thing tho lmao
 

Attachments

  • 7F481BAC-9DCE-4D81-94AC-8B80A410A8D8.jpeg
    7F481BAC-9DCE-4D81-94AC-8B80A410A8D8.jpeg
    814 KB · Views: 296
  • 9DBD1CAD-1B7D-435B-A43F-6311C98B955A.jpeg
    9DBD1CAD-1B7D-435B-A43F-6311C98B955A.jpeg
    656.7 KB · Views: 227
  • F49976A4-66F0-47E8-957C-663579CDBBF2.jpeg
    F49976A4-66F0-47E8-957C-663579CDBBF2.jpeg
    453.9 KB · Views: 247
  • Like
Reactions: Levent

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back