D'addario Flex Steels substitution

Have you tried the Marcus Miller version of the Super Brights? They said that these aren't as low tension as the regular SB.

I was going to replace the FlexSteels with Dunlop SB MM which I had already bought, but then I've managed to snatch few sets of FlexSteels available scattered here and there, online and offline market places. So, my gigging bass is still strung with the FlexSteels.

 

hahaha...

well of course one day I'll use the Super Brights Marcus Miller... I've bought a set already. But not sure whether they'll replace the FlexSteels, since I still have few sets of these. Maybe if I'll put them on if I could get another bass.

 

I would try Dean Markley Blue steels. DM uses a smaller core wire and their string construction yields strings which are a bit more flexible. But not as flexible as DR roundcores or Dunlop Superbrights.

I have no idea how the overall tone compares, as I never used flex steels.

 

I would give DR Fat Beams a try. Good tension yet flexible, great mid content and slightly smoother than Flex Steels.
Hope this helps,
Brent

 

I reverse-engineered a set of Flex Steels a while back. What I found is that, more or less, if you get a set of standard 30-50-70-90 steel strings (from ANYBODY), the core diameters are comparable to what the FS had.

 

I love that term! I think I'm going to make it part of my everyday vocabulary as I have a strong tendency to irreversibly reverse-engineer a lot of things in life.

 

the FlexSteels you were referring to were the 45-65-85-105?

 

That's correct.

 

so, are there any GHS products inspired by that reverse-engineered thing that you did?

 

Nope.

 

I tried the flex and didn't think they were what I was looking for, Did try the marcus Dunlop and liked them better. But still I like the DR Hi Beams and the Fat Beams second.

 

Well.... I hope D'addario comes back to their senses and recommence production. I have tried DR high beans, Dunlop SB and MM SBs. the only one close to it "in my opinion" is the "MM SB" with the one problem that it doesn't push MIDs like Flexsteels.

 

yes, it seems Dunlop Super Bright series are the closest in terms of the "Flex"-ibility to the FlexSteels. I haven't put my DBMMS 45125 on to the bass which I use with the FlexSteels just yet (Thank God, I haven't run out of my spare sets of FlexSteels), but these last few months I've been using DBSBN 45105 on my latest acquired bass and I'm pleased with them. And yes, they don't have the same tone as the FlexSteels.

 

D'Addario Pro Steels sound and feel pretty much like Flex Steels, as far as I can remember.

 

Bought several packs of Foundations myself (40-120 stainless, and 40-120 & 30-125 nickels) 8 months ago, though haven't put any of them on.

 

Eeee... I remember differently. FlexSteels aren't midscooped and more flexible than Pro Steels within the same gauge.