I lived in Moscow for 12 years (2000 to 2012) and Alice strings were quite popular there. I used them from time to time and they were perfectly serviceable. Have they changed in the last decade? Can't tell ya...
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Alice flatwound strings are they worth it?
- Thread starter _Serja0_
- Start date
IDK either, But chinese "Pot metal" Strings! scare the Sh*t out of me sounds like a messy/Bloody accident waiting to happen!! "Pop,pop,pop!" I d pass! just save up and use the good old standards!
Have you any proof it's "pot metal" or did you just go with ignorance and a side order of bigotry ?
Excuse my ignorance but how is it possible for bass flatwound strings to be rare in the land of Vinicious de Moraes, Deodato, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes, Astrud & Joao Gilberto, Baden Powell and so many other giants of Bossa Nova?
Yes, these styles are no longer even part of the mainstream here in Brazil... They are valued for their work in the past, but they haven't been part of popular taste for a long time.
Interesting... Be that as it may, I had the impression, mainly due to information like in the links/videos below, that contemporary bass playing is quite big in Brazil.
BRAZIL - The new capital of the bass world?
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It's neither ignorant nor bigoted to use the reputation a country has for the quality of their steel when considering the purchase of a product which consists primarily of steel.
Perhaps you were simply intending to assert that the use of the phrase "pot metal" may have been hyperbole?
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I used Alice flatwound strings for double bass, so not same but similar. They were low tension, without problems but didn't sound very good. For bass guitar and magnetic pickups, I guess they should be OK.
I bought a set about 2 years ago (10€, AliExpress) but haven't used it. My intention was to try them on an Epiphone Viola, but I ended up selling it, so that set remains unopened. Will try them on a (fretted) Jazz Bass soon and do a proper review and sound demos. I have nice flats on two 5 string basses (LaBella LTFs on a fretless PJ and Magma Ultra Flats on a fretted Stingray5), so I think I have enough elements to A/B.
I’ve read someone on one of the other forums (or Facebook groups, I forget which) say they used the Alice flats ordered from AliExpress and were pleased with them.
Pretty detailed review but I’m at a complete loss on how he said a G&L L2000 isn’t a good slap bass and isn’t very bright ??!!!!!
Haha, this is super black powder maker after you play it.
I have a client who looking for supercheap flatwound bass string several years ago, and I found this on AliExpress.
String construction look fine when open box, but there are some diesel like smell rather than metal smell. Once setup done and tune in pitch, all my finger get black just play no longer than 10 minutes.
After a week, my client told me that black power still there but decrease in some amount.
Bass tone after a week sound like fresh set flatwound, even sound fresh, but the tone decay quite fast.
Need to mention that the E string sound much better than dull and lifeless GHS flat E string .
Already forget those string tension, balancing and plucking feel.
Hopehelp
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Alice A628 are for sure long scale strings as you can see on the picture. Fitted a 34” Squire and Musima P bass perfectly. Clean them before use (alcohol) otherwise black fingers for days. In my case the E-string was rather dull. Tension is same as Fender 9050, which are stiff in my book. Nice black windings and dirt cheap though. Good choice when you are on a budget and want flatwounds. Know several other users and they reported that even after several months the tone was a bit less bright but still ok.
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