Haven't tried Dragon skins or Ernie Ball coated, and now I'm not trying anymore coated strings as I just found out EXP and Cleartone are the only coated strings that are conductive! Not getting any hum on my bass so I'll stick to non coated strings!
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Daddario EXP strings! NOT being Discontinued!!!
- Thread starter Maiden Bass
- Start date
I'll have to check the Skins...never had any hum with them. Pretty sure they are conductive but I'm not positive on that.
I have nothing but respect for Roger Sadowsky, but he seems to use the term "coated" when he really means tapewound. Coated strings are round wound strings to begin with, so why would they not be conductive? Not sure what the actual construction difference is, all I know is tapewounds buzz, but I've never heard a coated round wound that does.
When I tested the DR coated none of them were conductive.
Tape wounds AND Coated Rounds are not conductive... EXCEPT for the D'Addario EXP and Cleartones.
Srry mmbongo, but how did you check this? I'll have to test them again but when I did they werent...
Tape wounds AND Coated Rounds are not conductive... EXCEPT for the D'Addario EXP and Cleartones.
Srry mmbongo, but how did you check this? I'll have to test them again but when I did they werent...
Well, what do you mean by conductive? Because metal has to be in the string in order for magnetic pickups to work, and even if the surface of the string is non-conductive, the ball end with the core attached is going to be (unless you put insulators between the ball and the bridge). So even non-conductive surface strings would be grounded on a grounded bridge.
Conversely:
I used tape wounds on my old Kingston violin bass, and didn't have any more or less hum than the pups themselves did alone (ungrounded bridge) with flatwounds.
The only possible concern would be static build up between your fingers and the strings while playing, which while unlikely, could be remedied by a grounded conductive thumb rest.
Am I missing something?
Fender JP-90
Epi Bass Club #169 JC sig
Conversely:
I used tape wounds on my old Kingston violin bass, and didn't have any more or less hum than the pups themselves did alone (ungrounded bridge) with flatwounds.
The only possible concern would be static build up between your fingers and the strings while playing, which while unlikely, could be remedied by a grounded conductive thumb rest.
Am I missing something?
Fender JP-90
Epi Bass Club #169 JC sig
I used a digital multimeter and measured shorts at various points on the strings, measured betweeen the string and bridge, and even between different strings. All were a dead short. See my electronics engineering degree did come in handy!
I verified it on both of my basses which run Dragon Skins.
But Black Beauties are NOT conductive!
Open circuit:
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Dead short:
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Da box:
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I think Dragon Skins came out a good bit after Mr. Sadowsky wrote that article, so that's probably why he's not aware of them.
And just an FYI....Acoustic 6 string Bronze Dragon Skins are conductive as well.
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And just an FYI....Acoustic 6 string Bronze Dragon Skins are conductive as well.
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Thanks for this info! I just ordered some nickel lo-riders, and if they are not bright enough for me then Dragon Skins could be my next option!
Do you think Dragon Skins are brighter than EXPs and nickel loriders???
Definitely more lively than EXP's (honestly I did not like them at all) and it's been a while since I have used Nickel LoRiders but I remember them being pretty laid back so yeah I think Dragon Skins will have more snap.
How is the tension on Dragon skin compared to hi beams?
Are they about the same (since they both have round cores)?
How is the B string on the Dragon Skins? I see it's only available in a 125? Do you find it better or different in a good way compared to the hi-beam 125?
Well the .125 B is the reason I don't use Dragon Skins on my 5's. I normally use a .135 or .130. That being said, I am going to try the .125 on my Roscoe just to see.
Hey everyone, just got an email from the DAddario rep, they had some meetings and just decided NOT to discontinue the bass EXPs!!!
They are informing dealers now!!!
So if you like EXPs be happy, if you have never tried them then you should if you want a longer lasting (and almost as bright ) version of an XL string!
They are informing dealers now!!!
So if you like EXPs be happy, if you have never tried them then you should if you want a longer lasting (and almost as bright ) version of an XL string!
ddawson2012
Guest
- Aug 30, 2011
- 153
- 40
- Disclosures
- D'Addario Marketing Specialist; Don Dawson
Just a heads up folks - we had a meeting this morning further to our EXP Bass line. EXPs will NOT be discontinued. We had heard from a number of players out there who voiced their opinion and concern. We'll be notifying our dealer network shortly further to this point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It is appreciated!!
