Battle of the Strings

I've been using D'Addario Nickel Rounds since 1979. Never ever had a dead string. Never ever had one break.

My new MIA P has a set of Elixir Nickel Nanowound strings and they are the only other thing I would consider. Slightly less bottom end than D'Addarios, but they sound exactly the same today as on Sep 2 when they were put on. About twice the price of others,but should last 3 - 5 times as long.

 

From those, I voted HiBeams. They have a very soft feel and are quite crisp.

GHS Boomers and ProSteels are not at all what I'd call 'soft and crisp'. I'd call Boomers more fat and round, and ProSteels bright and clanky. Both will have a stiffer feel than HiBeams. ProSteels will have a rough feel.

However my choice would be Dunlop SuperBright nickels. They are softer and crispier than HiBeams, and have a smoother feel.

 

Out of the three, if I had only those to choose, I'd get the DR's.

GHS Boomers, IMHO.... SUCK. Never had a set last that long at all. Dead in no time.



I prefer Rotosound Stainless Rounds. .045 -.105 (.130) 5-string

 

I don't think he's talking about ProSteels. He says "nickel-plated" for the D'addarios. I'm thinking XLs.

I've never tried the GHS. But out of the other two, I'd say the HiBeams win the crispness, but the D'addarios win the soft feel. However, the D'addarios are very bright and crisp for a nickel-plated string, and therefore would get my vote, if I were voting (which I'm not, due to my ignorance of the GHS product).

 

I could have sworn I saw 'ProSteels' written somewhere. Sucks getting old!

I must have just assumed ProSteels since they are steels like HiBeams.

So I'll stick with the Dunlop SB's! Softer feel than HiBeams, but similar sound and tension.

 

Hmm. Pretty different. Elixirs are stiffer but smoother feeling because of the coating. They will also sound a little duller. SuperBrights are more open and articulate sounding with a nice mid crunch.

 

Fender flats, and change them every 6 months or so.

 

If you like the clank but smooth feel try GHS Pressure Wounds they are a lot smoother but still have a decent crisp top end.

 

I used Hi-Beams for 5 years. They sound great for about a week then die out a bit, and can feel sticky and a bit stiff. I've used Daddario nickel's for about 6 years now, they arent as bright as the DR's are, but they dont change much in tone after they settle in and last twice as long. I change strings every month at most. I've sacrificed the incredible first week for a better overall sound with Daddarios

 

IMHO, D'Addario EXP Coated Nickels are a real strong player. The tone & feel of XL's with the lifespan of Elixirs at a better price. Win/win in my book.

 

Hi Beams or The DR Marcus Miller set Hands down!! Best strings I've ever used in ever aspect. Very balanced volume wise from string to string, great feel, Tight lows, great low mid punch and highs are harmonically rich and bright but not harsh. I'll never use anything else and I've tried to many other brands to count. DR gets my vote! Perfect string imho.

 

i hate d'adarrio rounds and love their flats. i used bass boomers for years and they felt and sounded gorgeous but lasted very little time. with an endless budget i'd say boomers.

 

I liked the DR Hellborgs. Only for four string basses strung E-G. They don't make a B string for this set.

Unusual build with the single outer wrap of nickel, but solid sounding strings. Lots of punch, fairly soft, and smooth feeling metal. Not grabby like stainless steel.

Fairly inexpensive as well.

 

I use high beams because they work and I don't feel like experimenting haha. Never had a string break (medium set) and never got a dead string. FWIW my friend has broken 4 strings by DR all G's and 1 D. I think its because his bass is set up wrong (maybe a sharp edge in his bridge) or he plays really hard (tons of slapping and beating the hell out of his bass). He has since moved to the lighter gauge and has had no problems.

 

What he said

 

Out of all those, DR High Beams without a doubt. Although since I found Elixr, I haven't used anything else for 10 years. They don't need to break in, they sound great, they don't lose their life, and they are easier on the fingers. I used to be a DR guy, but I would break at least one sting every couple of weeks on the road. I had to keep broken in strings around just in case so one string wouldn't sound new. It got old. After that, I think I've only broken a handful of Elixrs in the last 8 years.

If it makes a difference, I play dig-in fingerstyle and aggressive slap. I'm not easy on my strings

 

I'd also give a close 2nd place to Circle K strings. Outstanding quality and long life of the strings! Also endless options of custom gauges to meet your particular playing needs.