D'Addario EXL165 - reviews?

[Pier_]

I'm living a bad string period, it seems that I can't find the right strings for my new Sub Ray 4 bass.
I've tried GHS Boomers 45-105 (high tension), Ernie Ball 45-100 (my favourite roundwound set), but it's too light for my actual taste, Ernie Ball 50-105, too heavy, and I was wondering if I should try the D'Addario EXL165.

back when I could find them at 11 euros, I used to buy 3 or 4 sets and do an entire year with them. I liked them, but haven't tried many other strings at the time (2008... almost 10 years ago!).
I came back to nickel rounds only one year and an half ago after years of steel and flats, so I'm trying different solutions.

for what I tried (EB and GHS), I think that on this bass I need a set that is "in the middle" between these two, in terms of tension.
the EB 45-100 have a tension similar to the DR Hi Beam I've used many times, and I like it for slapping, but when it comes to fingerpicking, meh...
GHS are wonderful fingered, but slapping is a bit goofy.

meanwhile, I tried an old set of EXL165 that I put on my guitarist's bass during a setup, and I actually liked it, but it was a bit used (it came with the Harley Benton bass, that I bought used, so you can imagine how old and used they were!) so I couldn't understand the actual sound.
however, I liked the tension and was wondering if it could be a good and lasting set.

here in Italy I can buy the Twin Pack from Amazon for 25 euros, a really good price.

so, in your opinion, is a set worth speding money to try?

(PS: I opened a thread this morning about Labella flats in this bass, because I can decide to put them on and say goodby to slap, like I did on my main axe, the Harley Benton Jazz. )

 

[michael_t]

EXL165 is where I started out. Decent, affordable, all-purpose strings that are quietly competent and reliable - Toyota Camry of bass strings.

Having said that, I would suggest the GHS Round Core Boomers 45-105 as something that may be worth a shot.

 

[DD Gunz]

The EXL165's are my string of choice. I use those or the Fender NPS sets which have a similar tone to them. I change strings often and I need them to be affordable.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I've used the EXL-165's many, many times, I really like them, but I've never used them on my Sterling. The 45-105 Hybrid Slinkys are my usual go-to set on my Sterling, but I don't slap much. I just have never got the hang ofvslapping.

My Sterling has Boomers on it right now, they sound great, but again, I don't slap, and I read they didn't work for you on your MM.

Can you find LaBella Nickel Roundwounds where you're at? The ones I'm talking about used to be called Slappers. LaBella changed the name, but they aren't the R/X Series NPS version.

They sounded incredible on my Sterling, and they seemed ever-so-slightly lower tension than the Hybrid Slinkys, and they were a 45 through 105 set. I bet you could go with a lighter guage of them and get what you're after.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

This is what the new label looks like.

 

[Pier_]

yes, I can find them, but they are expensive strings

 

[Mikhail1]

I've used EXL-165's in the past but are pretty much using EB's at the moment. Honestly, if you handed me two identical basses, one with D'Addario's and one with EB's, I don't think I could tell them apart. In addition to the Labellas recommended above I would suggest Dean Markley Nickelsteels. These are their plain nickel steel strings, not the Blue Steels, and are very affordable in the States. Another good option are SIT Powerwounds if they are available.

 

[Linnin]

D'Addario XL165's are a good solid stringset. Somewhat generic of the nickle plated steel roundwounds. The middle ground of the nps round genre. I'm a bit more fond of XL170BT's for the balanced tension and tone. XL165's have a 10 pound spread with the D being high at 48+ pounds and the E being low at 38 pounds. Still it's the feel under your fingertips that counts and not the numbers. They are well made in Long Island, New York U.S.A. Sound good and are affordable. What's not to like?

 

[Pier_]

Still it's the feel under your fingertips that counts and not the numbers

actually, I've tried different balanced sets over the years, and actually I don't like them that much I still prefer the standard sets, with a preference based on the radius: on low radiuses (7,25", 9,5") I prefer smaller lows, like a 45-100 set. on radiuses from 12" and more I prefer bigger lows, like 45-105 sets.

Honestly, if you handed me two identical basses, one with D'Addario's and one with EB's, I don't think I could tell them apart.

that's the opposite of my problem, I'm very sensible, in particular with tension and overall feeling, and having tried many strings over the years, I fine-tuned my ears, ahah!

 

[Linnin]

@Pier_ you've got a very good handle on that stringset so there's no reason why you can't write the review. Looking forward to reading it.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Toyota Camry of strings is a good description, i prefer the Pro Steels myself.

 

[michael_t]

Toyota Camry of strings is a good description, i prefer the Pro Steels myself.

There's your Mazda 3 - a little spunkier than the Camry but still as reliable.

 

[Pier_]

in the end, I had to buy these D'Addario (24,90€ the twin pack), because the Labella flat I decided to order weren't available, and I needed new strings

so, I tried them, and yesterday they were mounted:

the first thing I have to say is that they have the prefect tension in terms of what I was looking for: little more than Ernie Ball, little less than GHS, so now I have comfortable strings with the right tension.

they are a little bit rougher than both Ernie and GHS, the texture it's not the best, but it works.

the major difference between these and the Ernie Ball is that they are more focused on the fundamental and mid-bass frequencies, where the Ernie Balls are way stronger on the hi-mids.
D'Addario = big fat sound
Ernie Ball = snappy dry sound

different philosophy!

I'll check the longevity in this period, before switching to the Labellas

 

[TedH]

D'Addario XL165's are a good solid stringset. Somewhat generic of the nickle plated steel roundwounds. The middle ground of the nps round genre. I'm a bit more fond of XL170BT's for the balanced tension and tone. XL165's have a 10 pound spread with the D being high at 48+ pounds and the E being low at 38 pounds. Still it's the feel under your fingertips that counts and not the numbers. They are well made in Long Island, New York U.S.A. Sound good and are affordable. What's not to like?

The Long Island thing is a bummer; they tawk funny.

I'm waiting for a package with a set of these to show up and put on my new Lakland P with Geezer's. Looking forward to a little more tension.

 

[Phaidrus]

D'Addario XL165's are a good solid stringset. Somewhat generic of the nickle plated steel roundwounds. The middle ground of the nps round genre. I'm a bit more fond of XL170BT's for the balanced tension and tone. XL165's have a 10 pound spread with the D being high at 48+ pounds and the E being low at 38 pounds. Still it's the feel under your fingertips that counts and not the numbers. They are well made in Long Island, New York U.S.A. Sound good and are affordable. What's not to like?

I just put an old set of EXL170BT on my Pbass and I do like them! No zing at all, just a balanced tone, somewhat fat and thick too. I also like the balanced tension, which is also quite low at 162.9lb. What is your experience with them? Would you compare them to some other brand/set?

 

[javi_bassist]

A lot of people say that D'addario XL are just decent but not good. I've been looking for the perfect strings for years. I started with D'addario, but then I heard all those recommendations and I've tried Dunlop, Elixir, DR, Warwick, GHS... almost any brand you can think of. And I'm back to the XLs. I use Dunlop or D'addario depending on the bass, but I'm done looking for more expensive and difficult to find strings. D'addario can be found anywhere and at a good price point. And they are good.

 

[gwangi]

A lot of people say that D'addario XL are just decent but not good. I've been looking for the perfect strings for years. I started with D'addario, but then I heard all those recommendations and I've tried Dunlop, Elixir, DR, Warwick, GHS... almost any brand you can think of. And I'm back to the XLs. I use Dunlop or D'addario depending on the bass, but I'm done looking for more expensive and difficult to find strings. D'addario can be found anywhere and at a good price point. And they are good.

+1

 

[Aidil]

The EXL165 is nice. Never really bought it. Got one as standard on a 4. Mostly I got the EXL170 (EXL170-5SL or EXL170-6SL) as standards. I do prefer the EXL165 45-105 gauge. It's just that there are others that suit me better, even with the same 45-105 gauge from D'Addario itself.

 

[gigetto]

I have these on one of my basses and are new and like all new Nickel very brilliant. I don't now about long lasting from now I says that like all D'addario's are not too light firm but not hight tension , consistant and not floppy, enormous amount of sustain and harmonics.

 

[mickebas]

These are the type of strings that most asian produced basses comes with standard (sometimes the lighter 45-100 gauge as well) and I would say they are a safe choice if you like the more mellow nickel sound that looses the snap and top pretty fast. But in my personal opinion that’s ok. They don’t have a strong fundamental or an edge to the sound but are very consistent so if you like a middle of the road sound and want to get the same experience out of every package I’d say these are the strings for you. They give a lot lower output and doesn’t cut through nearly as good as stainless steels though but that’s something you can adapt to in other ways. Smooth under your fingers.