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D'Addario...Flex Steels?
- Thread starter Hamlet7768
- Start date
I just installed a set of Flex Steels in one of my project J Basses. I really like them so far. I love the punch and the strong mids. The top end is very balanced. The slightly rough surface is not the most abrasive I have experienced, and I like the grip that it affords. I placed them side by side with a set of R Cocco strings and the alloy appears to be very similar. The R. Coccos have been my favorite string lately. The Flex Steels are similar with slightly more punch. The Flex Steel punch really stands out. The R Coccos also have strong punch, but it is a little more in balance with the rest of the strings qualities. But that really doesn't make them better. They are both excellent.
In the past I have used DAddario XLs pretty much exclusively. They are not bad strings, but the Flexsteels are in another league altogether.
In the past I have used DAddario XLs pretty much exclusively. They are not bad strings, but the Flexsteels are in another league altogether.
In a few days of play you'll probably find the roughness will go away. This was the case for me.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 252
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
I just got a set of these, and put them on my bass today. Was hoping to have them for a gig last night, but didn't.
My impressions; I have been using a .040 set of ProSteels for a while now, so that's my comparison. I was looking for a brighter string, the way the old Rotosounds used to be.
These have a slightly rougher feel, which in my experience equates to them being brighter, and they are. I was a Rotosound Swingbass user back in the 70s. When Rotosound went back into the business, the strings changed, and the new ones are more polished on the surface, and nowhere near as bright as they used to be, which was a disappointment. And the low B was appalling and wouldn't play in tune up he neck.
So these remind me of the old Rotosounds, very bright and with that piano sound.
They don't seem more flexible to me at all, but I was using a lighter gauge, and hadn't used the .045 gauge ProSteels in at least 8 months. I had to tighten my truss rod a bit, but that's to be expected with the heavier gauge anyway. I'd like a lighter gauge set.
So far I like them. I was looking for something brighter than the ProSteels, and I got it.
As as always, D'Addario has the best low B string in the business. This one sounds a bit different from the ProSteels, but still vibrates well.
My impressions; I have been using a .040 set of ProSteels for a while now, so that's my comparison. I was looking for a brighter string, the way the old Rotosounds used to be.
These have a slightly rougher feel, which in my experience equates to them being brighter, and they are. I was a Rotosound Swingbass user back in the 70s. When Rotosound went back into the business, the strings changed, and the new ones are more polished on the surface, and nowhere near as bright as they used to be, which was a disappointment. And the low B was appalling and wouldn't play in tune up he neck.
So these remind me of the old Rotosounds, very bright and with that piano sound.
They don't seem more flexible to me at all, but I was using a lighter gauge, and hadn't used the .045 gauge ProSteels in at least 8 months. I had to tighten my truss rod a bit, but that's to be expected with the heavier gauge anyway. I'd like a lighter gauge set.
So far I like them. I was looking for something brighter than the ProSteels, and I got it.
As as always, D'Addario has the best low B string in the business. This one sounds a bit different from the ProSteels, but still vibrates well.
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 252
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
They seem slightly rougher to me. But as others said they probably goes away. But the brightness makes up for it IMO.
I haven't used DR strings since they first came out, but I didn't find them very long lasting and a bit inconsistent. And for far less money the D'Addarios last forever. But maybe DR worked those issues out by now.
D'Addario has been around a long time, and invented a lot of the string winding technology used today. I believe they even sold their old string winders to Fender when they switched over to the slow wind strings.
Just an FYI, I A/B'd FlexSteels with a set of FatBeams, and found this:
1. Flexible to the touch - they appear to be equal
2. Wrap Wire size - they appear to be equal
3. Both produce the clear balanced sound, except the FlexSteels have a mid bump presence with a scoop. The DR strings have less of the mid bump and of course the scoop.
IMO: To me, both of these are 2 great sets of strings. I'm just grateful that there are so many available options.
Thanks for this info. I'm thinking I'm going to try these on my Sadowsky NYC M5/24. I normally run Fat Beams 130-45 on that bass (I also use Fat Beams on my Modulus VJ and Sunbeams on my Kinal). However, the Fat Beams are not the perfect sound on that bass--they do better on the Modulus than on the Sadowsky. Anyway I used D'Addario years ago but fell in love with the feel of the DR strings when D'Addario stopped making my old favorites--Slowound.
How would you compare gauge with DR? What gauge would compare most with what I currently use (.130, .105, .085, .065, .045)? DR tend to feel lower in tension due to their round core. I'd be interested to know what you think about which gauge to try in the Flexsteels. Also, I'm curious if anyone has compared these to the new LaBella RX strings as well.
Sure thing...
I currently have the lightest gauge FlexSteels on both my jazz basses: EFX220 = .040 .060 .075 .095 (I transitioned from the D'Addario Nickel Balanced strings and got used to the lighter gauge).
I'll run a comparison tonight, and report back.
I can put the FatBeams on first, then the FlexSteel same gauge set on and let you know: EFX165 = .045 .065 .085 .105.
Wow! I hate for you to go to all of that trouble, but I sincerely appreciate it. I'm thinking of trying some balanced tension strings on my Linc Luthier bass...but that's another conversation!
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 252
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
I wish hey made the .040 set for 5 string bass....
After playing these the past day I have to say I really like them. I also realized that while heavier than the .040 set of ProSteels I had on there previously, they don't feel as stiff as the .045 set I had been using. But they have enough tension to get a nice punchy tone.
That's exactly what I've inquired about here, with Jason @ BSOL and with D'Addario.
It appears to be in the works (not sure timing yet though).
- Aug 21, 2008
- 10,386
- 252
- 68
- Disclosures
- Owner, SGD Music Products
I got my set from Jason by the way.
Yeah, he's great to work with. Also, has new strings earlier than any of the stores around here.
Tonight I ran a flexibility test.
I used 1 jazz bass. I first took off the lighter gauge FlexSteels, and put on the next gauge up of FlexS (45-105). Played some finger funk type lines and slap/pop as well. I also played 3rd to 5th fret finger bends E-G strings a few times.
Then, I put on a lightly used set of Fat Beams (45-105). They are in great shape and still have life in them (basically ready to gig or record). Played the same lines and bends.
In this gauge FlexSteels feel more flexible/bendy than Fat Beams.. To me.
FlexSteels seem more coarse feeling than Fat Beams though. But keep in mind the FlexSteels were newer than the Fat Beams, and some of the new string corse feeling will go away.
On my other jazz bass (60's Fender) I have the lighter gauge FlexSteels and are the ones I like the most. They feel just as smooth as the FatBeams, probably because they've had about the same amount of playing time, so it makes me think this is would be a non issue, but I do think the FlexSteels would feel more corse out of the box.
One of the main things I was looking for in FlexSteels, or any other string was the flexibility like the Nickel Balanced tension strings I got hooked on.
I'll do some more comparing tomorrow, but the light gauge FlexSteels can't come off my favorite 60's Fender Jazz bass just because
.
I apologize for not searching this whole thread, but I bought a set and love them except the .130 is visibly and audibly different from the other four strings. Almost looks and sounds like nickel and I'm wondering if it's an error. Anyone else have this experience? 
I have tried the Flex steels on my J and my Tobias. i usually shy away from steels. I love the harmonic content but found them to be "clanky". The Flex Steels have a bright funky sound without being harsh. I haven't changed back to my balanced tension so I must be happy. Oh, I play old school funk and only slap a little.
I came across these in GC when I got a new modern player jazz. Fantastic strings. Not overly zingy and relatively easy on the fingers. Very well balanced. I got the 45-100 set.
On a side note, GC had them marked at their msrp price-$45. It was pretty funny.
On a side note, GC had them marked at their msrp price-$45. It was pretty funny.
