D'addario EXL170 nickels

[dmccombe7]

Just thought i would mention this as it kind of surprised me a little.
Had been using D'addario EXL190's (40 - 100 gauge) for last few years on most of my basses. Few months back i was reading various string reviews and thought i would try out DR Nickel Sunbeams.
Tried them and found that apart from being far more expensive in comparison to D'addario's they didn't last that much longer if at all. String tension was less and that's about it. Tone was pretty similar.
Decided to go back to my D'addario's and read about the Nickel EXL170's (45, 65, 80, 100). Fitted to my Jazz bass and found they had a far more even tone across the 4 strings than the EXL190's which always seemed to be more twangy on the D & G strings. The D'addario's also feel smoother on my wee delicate finger tips.
Every now and again you come across something that just feels right for you and i think the EXL170's and my Jazz bass are about as good as it gets for me .........at the moment anyway

Dave

 

[michael_t]

D'A EXL170 was my first set of bass strings, aside from the factory strings that came on the 2006 MIM Precision. I hated the way they felt under my fingers - very uneven with a very tight D and a loose E. Then I tried the EXL170BT (45-60-80-107) when they first came out with the "balanced tension" concept. Much better!

 

[dmccombe7]

The string sizes seem quite odd. ?
Never played an E string with anything more than 100.
Dave

 

[michael_t]

The string sizes seem quite odd. ?
Never played an E string with anything more than 100.
Dave

Here's the comparison in tension numbers.

EXL170, 45-65-80-100:

G 045 - 42.52
D 065 - 48.35
A 080 - 40.05
E 100 - 34.72

Total 165.64 lbs.

EXL170BT, 45-60-80-107:

G 045 - 42.52
D 060 - 40.86
A 080 - 40.05
E 107 - 39.45

Total 162.88 lbs.

 

[dmccombe7]

Here's the comparison in tension numbers.

EXL170, 45-65-80-100:

G 045 - 42.52
D 065 - 48.35
A 080 - 40.05
E 100 - 34.72

Total 165.64 lbs.

EXL170BT, 45-60-80-107:

G 045 - 42.52
D 060 - 40.86
A 080 - 40.05
E 107 - 39.45

Total 162.88 lbs.

I know you're probably used to them but does the uneven string widths not feel a bit strange. The diff between 80 and 107 seems a lot. Does the E string not sound a lot heavier or deeper than the A string.
With the 170's i found the tone was more evenly balanced over the strings.
Might be worth giving them a shot tho jst to see how they feel.

Dave

 

[michael_t]

I know you're probably used to them but does the uneven string widths not feel a bit strange. The diff between 80 and 107 seems a lot. Does the E string not sound a lot heavier or deeper than the A string.
With the 170's i found the tone was more evenly balanced over the strings.
Might be worth giving them a shot tho jst to see how they feel.

Balanced tension doesn't always guarantee balanced tone. Too many other factors can affect the tone, such as pickup configuration, setup on the bass and one's playing technique, etc.

That said, balanced tension does result in balanced feel more often than not, which in turn tends to make it easier to achieve balanced tone across all strings - at least in my own experience.

 

[Linnin]

Balanced tension doesn't always guarantee balanced tone. Too many other factors can affect the tone, such as pickup configuration, setup on the bass and one's playing technique, etc.

This is a very important distinction to keep in mind. If your setup is wonky, the string-to-string balance of tone & volume will suffer.

That said, balanced tension does result in balanced feel more often than not, which in turn tends to make it easier to achieve balanced tone across all strings - at least in my own experience.

Well stated. If you are an uneven player, every stringset will also sound uneven. A well balanced stringset will exhibit good string-to-string balance of tone and volume. Balanced Tension stringsets go beyond tone & volume to balanced feel and flexibility. They most certainly will aid in fine tuning your setup and aid you in becoming a more balanced player if you are lacking in those areas. I adore GHS Balanced Nickels.

 

[Badwater]

The key is to find the right set that works with your specific bass. Not all strings feel or sound good on every bass. Each will have small differences that could be a deal breaker.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

The key is to find the right set that works with your specific bass. Not all strings feel or sound good on every bass. Each will have small differences that could be a deal breaker.

I very much agree.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Dave, I've never tried any of DR's strings, but I have used EXL-170's a bunch over the years. IMO they're very good strings.

 

[Solarmist]

I've been D'Add user for years, because the price is right, and they last a while. I prefer using Prosteels EPS300 w/107T, 85T, 63, 43 balanced tension set which has a slightly beefier (tapered) E, and the D/G are a tad thinner than a 45105 set. Very nice set for $15.

 

[dmccombe7]

Dave, I've never tried any of DR's strings, but I have used EXL-170's a bunch over the years. IMO they're very good strings.

I had been using EXL190's for many years but thought i would try the DR's that many people raved about. Decided they were good but not at the price almost double that of the EXL190's.
When i started looking for best price EXL190's i came across the 170's and read many reviews about them so thought i would try them instead. Was really surprised how good they sounded. Tone for me was far more even than the 190's so i'll be sticking with the D'addario's.
Dave

 

[dmccombe7]

I've been D'Add user for years, because the price is right, and they last a while. I prefer using Prosteels EPS300 w/107T, 85T, 63, 43 balanced tension set which has a slightly beefier (tapered) E, and the D/G are a tad thinner than a 45105 set. Very nice set for $15.

Thats a few people now that have mentioned the balanced tension versions. Think i might try a set at some point jst to satisfy my curiosity.
Have to admit that even tone is more important to me than even tension.
Dave

 

[Bassist30]

The EXL170 still amazes me as whenever I do put them on they always sound great. I currently use Fat Beams and I feel they do last longer, But the EXL170 are also excellent..

 

[Pier_]

Every now and again you come across something that just feels right for you and i think the EXL170's and my Jazz bass are about as good as it gets for me .........at the moment anyway

I'm feeling the same as you. in the past years I've tried almost every string on the market, from simple D'Addario or Ernie Ball to the most "boutique" one like DR, Thomastik and whatever, balanced tension (I've opend a topic about me don't liking them ahah), uneven tension...

right now I'm using D'Addario EXL170 on all my basses... except one with ECB81, but still the same gauge.

for example, the Fender AV63 I bought a few months ago came with it's standard Fender 45-105 strings, which are quite stiff and non-flexible at all, the E string feels like a dead cable with no sustain, the A string it's too heavy...
so I bought a cheap set of D'Addario EXL170 and WOW! this bass just came to life! every note sounds the same on every fret, I got a perfect setup and the tension is just right.
they also last long, because I have them on since July 12, have had four rehearsals in sweaty rooms between July and August in Rome (so an average of 37°C and lots of sweat), and they still sound too bright and metallic!
also, the E and A strings are full of sustain and life.

I have the same set on an SG bass, and it makes the bass sing with clear and even notes, and I tried them on an Epiphone Jack Casady I had for a few days for a setup, and same story: perfect sound and tension, even notes and ease of playing.

IMHO the 45-100 D'Addario set is "the best for most" if you are not searching for specific sounds and tensions: it's balanced, kind of anonymous, so that the bass speaks with it's own voice and not the strings voice, and they cost almost nothing... on Amazon I get them for 16.90€ in Italy, where the less priced strings are at 24€.

great choice.

 

[dmccombe7]

I'm with you on that. Over the many years i've tried Rotosounds, Elites, Elixirs, Warwick, Overwater, Fender, DR's and D'addarios and i just find they suit whatever it is i'm doing. I've been using the nickel strings for about 10yrs now. The 170's have made quite a difference to me from the 190's tho. Historically i always found the gauge 40-100 were light on the G string but with the 170's its just a far better string balance.
Dave

 

[michael_t]

The 170's have made quite a difference to me from the 190's tho. Historically i always found the gauge 40-100 were light on the G string but with the 170's its just a far better string balance.

I do agree about the 40G being a bit thin and light. For me the problem is the 65D, which is noticeably tighter than the rest. This is why I've always preferred a set with a 45G and a 60D, or something close to that.

 

[dmccombe7]

Here's the comparison in tension numbers.

EXL170, 45-65-80-100:

G 045 - 42.52
D 065 - 48.35
A 080 - 40.05
E 100 - 34.72

Total 165.64 lbs.

EXL170BT, 45-60-80-107:

G 045 - 42.52
D 060 - 40.86
A 080 - 40.05
E 107 - 39.45

Total 162.88 lbs.

See what you mean. Worth a try next time i buy to see how they compare
Thanks
Dave

 

[michael_t]

See what you mean. Worth a try next time i buy to see how they compare

I used to live and die by the tension numbers. But something I've been learning recently is "balanced tension" doesn't always translates to "balanced tone", depending on the bass itself. So, "string experiments" are still a necessity in life.

 

[dmccombe7]

I used to live and die by the tension numbers. But something I've been learning recently is "balanced tension" doesn't always translates to "balanced tone", depending on the bass itself. So, "string experiments" are still a necessity in life.

Think that's probably how i feel. There's always another string to try that might be better but i always like a fall back string and at the moment the XL170's seem to do the trick for me.
Dave