Best strings You have played

[bbh]

Labella RX. My new favorite.

 

[forrestlaw]

Labella RX. My new favorite.

Been wanting to try those. Do you use the nickel or stainless ones?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

i have a G&l JB5 and I have tried several different brands of strings. DR high beam, Low bottom, from Dran at Warrior and most of the more common Onet that GC carries. I have yet to find the “perfect set”. I am looking for a clean, clear set that has some pop but not too funky. I know this is going to be one of those threads that people say that there isn’t a perfect string, but let me know what you think is the closest you have come across. Thanks

While string are important, EQ is what gets you there. I can get a suitable sound from just about any round wound on the market.

 

[bbh]

Been wanting to try those. Do you use the nickel or stainless ones?

Can’t remember but probably nickels, the lightest gauge 5 string set. I know the b looks too light but it makes the same volume as the other strings.

 

[mantaraya]

Best overall plus minus in some aspects would be to me the DR Sunbeams.
When you state perfect you have to know its a balance and when you do balance you have to give and grant. But from the ones i have tried i would say Dr Sunbeams. Nest to try would be Dr Pure Blues..

 

[Bliff Curton]

Thomastik-Infeld.
Their flats have lower tension than i prefer but they play and sound amazing. Same with tge Steve Harris sig’s

D’Addario EXL
I like trying out all of them. None of them suck.
Ive done 90% of my studio work with these.

I havent used them in some time, but Dean Markly are alse great. Blue Steel’s are great for early Metallica with distortion.

Ive always wanted to try LaBella and Sadowsky.
Fender strings always hurt my fingers so i was put off by them early on.

 

[Speterc]

My fretted jazz- Sadowsky blue label stainless steel .

My fretless jazz- Dunlop super bright stainless steel

 

[stringthrough]

I've recently started using GHS Pressurewounds and they they do everything I need strings to do - Give some growl while being low on friction (my technique requires that). Just wish they had round cores so that they'd be more flexible. Other than that they're perfect for me.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

DR Fat Beams are my favorite. I don’t know if they’re objectively best or anything like that, but they certainly are very, very good.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

I use DR Fat Beams or DR High Beams .

 

[ezstep]

For years (10-12?) I used Dean Markley Will Lee's. But for the past several years I have moved all my basses over to Kalium Balanced. They cost a little more, but IMHO, worth the wait.

 

[DJ Bebop]

 

[Maynjo]

Dean markley blue steels. Always.

 

[the harp unstrung]

Roundwounds...

Flatwounds...

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I love the LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass in the light gauge. They sound plenty deep and have a great tone for what I play (mostly reggae, R&B / Motown, blues, fusion, and of course, funk). My fusion buddies joke about the flats, but they don't seem to mind. They get me where I want to be. They're easy on the fingers and easy to set up. Tried others, keep putting these back on the Aerodyne. I think Jamerson played Labellas, and I can get a reasonable facsimile on some of the oldies but goodies. Their high end is fine with the bridge up and the tone open and the low end can't be beat.

 

[TonyP-]

Best stings = Depends on the bass, style of music, etc.

Best string company (for me) = GHS = Excellence in design features and impeccable QC = Meets all of my tonal needs and wants.

+1
GHS Progressives might be the most balanced string I have ever tried.

Plenty of top end without being to much with the perfect inbetween tension.

 

[secondbestcody]

GHS Pressurewounds are my new favorite string. They’re like the best of both worlds. Otherwise, EB Cobalt rounds or DR Hi Beams.

 

[dindinbre]

Ernie Ball 45-105 roundwounds.

 

[cnltb]

I use Newtonestrings.( steel, roundwound)
I have done for years and plan on doing so for years to come.

 

[baileyboy]

I used D'Addario .45 gauge for years, but had to move down in gauge because my index finger was becoming inflamed after gigs... I tried to stick with D'Addario strings, since I liked their tone, but could not find a lighter gauge configuration that was quite right. I found the lower gauge G and D strings just did not have enough "oomph" for my tastes. The DR Sunbeams offered a .40 gauge string configuration (.40 .60 .75 .95) which I have found to be perfect. No more inflamed index finger and love their tone.