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Are there any string brand recommendations for 6-string basses?
- Thread starter iNeedA5string
- Start date
So many options depending on taste, preference, etc. I love the Labella Super Steps RWs that shipped on my FBass AC6. I have TI Flats on my other fretless 6 and they are nice too, but in a very different way.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
After using DR for decades and forays into other strings, I’ve discovered these and I really like them. They have a bit more focus than the DRs that I have used (Sunbeams and Low Rider Nickel). I have them on a pre-truss rod Modulus TBX 6, so string tension is what keeps the neck in proper relief and the 30-120 set does that very nicely.
I just checked the GHS website and found out the 6-string set (27-40-58-80-102-126) is no longer listed, and the only 5-string set they offer is 44-63-84-106-126, which is a little too heavy for me. This could mean I will have to start ordering the 4-string set (40-58-80-102) and a single .126 for B. That kind of sucks...
Well... my 6-string was picked up used and had DR Black Beauties on it. I ordered a D'Addario .165g for the low E after removing the high c. 
I've been using Kalium for years, but I'm slowly and reluctantly coming around to the view that maybe the company can no longer be relied on. I know some would say, "No longer? How about never?" but I had pretty good luck with Kalium for quite a while. However, my last order took months, and the stories have mounted up, so.... You could try them, but just know that issues have been reported.
An option that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Newtone in England. They also will make up basically any set of custom gauges you want. I tried them before and liked everything about them but the low B (I ordered a .136). I'm just now trying them again, with a slight adjustment to my order, to see if that issue has been eliminated.
I also just found out that Pete Skjold of Skjold Basses sells his own line of strings. About $30 for a 6-string set on his website. Never tried them, though.
Ken Smith sells 6-string sets too. I used to play his strings on occasion back in the day, but that was on a 4-string Smith. I believe La Bella makes them, or used to, anyway.
Curt Mangan makes some too. Never tried those either.
An option that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Newtone in England. They also will make up basically any set of custom gauges you want. I tried them before and liked everything about them but the low B (I ordered a .136). I'm just now trying them again, with a slight adjustment to my order, to see if that issue has been eliminated.
I also just found out that Pete Skjold of Skjold Basses sells his own line of strings. About $30 for a 6-string set on his website. Never tried them, though.
Ken Smith sells 6-string sets too. I used to play his strings on occasion back in the day, but that was on a 4-string Smith. I believe La Bella makes them, or used to, anyway.
Curt Mangan makes some too. Never tried those either.
What was the issue you had? Asking because I'm also using Newtones and had intonation issues above the 12th fret with both B strings (though maybe that's because of the tapering, not 100% sure yet).
The low B was thuddy and dull. even with a taper core, and scarcely even sounded like it was from the same set. Also, the pitch seemed somewhat indistinct, for whatever reason. I was surprised, because the rest of the set sounded fine. I had an extra Kalium .136, so I swapped that in and all was good.
I'd ordered a full Platinum wrap set from Newtone, because that sounded more my cup of tea than the Diamond wrap. However, someone later suggested to me that the Platinum wrap on the .136 might have been the issue, and indeed Newtone now recommends the Diamond wrap for extra long scale and strings over .145. So I'm going to try a set with strings 1-5 Platinum wrap and string 6 Diamond wrap.
YMMV, of course, but my experience has generally been that few if any low B strings of any substantial size will intonate well above the 12th fret. I don't expect them to and typically don't need them to. But your use case may well differ.
Thanks. Yeah, ultimately I switched back to an old .125 untapered string (it was a .120 tapered platinum wrap) which, maybe still not perfect but at least my ears can't hear it.
Long story short: Dunlop comp'd me 2 cartons of the 6 string SuperBright strings in both SS and nicks. I like them but never use the C strings as my basses are all 5 string but the stock 6 set comes with the more desirable 130 B.
Riis
Riis
