I was talking with Jim D'Addario about these today, I should have brought that up, but I will tomorrow 
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D'Addario...Flex Steels?
- Thread starter Hamlet7768
- Start date
I was talking with Jim D'Addario about these today, I should have brought that up, but I will tomorrow
Cool, and if he wants to hook us up with same colored E strings, that would be ultra cool! Hehe
If you're used to DR, these are not going to be smooth. I anticipate some wear being done to the board after using these for a couple years. But the sound... it's worth it. I might end up waiting until singles become available before buying another set, but these 2 should last me until then.
There's something about a fretless ebony board with stainless steel strings that is just so expressive.
Short clip of me noodling. Strings have been on for about 15 minutes, still stretching and breaking them in.
Bartolini Classic Bass pickups, Bartolini 3 band preamp. Ebony unlined fretless bolt on neck.
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Altho s/s wraps may not always be the same tint,
it could be a bit of residue from the manufacturing process.
Before installing, a wipe down using a rag dampened with glass cleaner followed by a few swipes with a Scotch pad can clean any residue from the surface, and help to make them a bit smoother, also.
it could be a bit of residue from the manufacturing process.
Before installing, a wipe down using a rag dampened with glass cleaner followed by a few swipes with a Scotch pad can clean any residue from the surface, and help to make them a bit smoother, also.
Short feedback on Flex Steels:
They sound great! And like Jason said in his Video, the Low end is nice and full in the right places.
The high end has a very nice sparkle. A very expressive string! They remind me of a string of the past but my memory escapes me....These are a great addition to the D'Addario family of bass strings!!!!!
They sound great! And like Jason said in his Video, the Low end is nice and full in the right places.
The high end has a very nice sparkle. A very expressive string! They remind me of a string of the past but my memory escapes me....These are a great addition to the D'Addario family of bass strings!!!!!
- Oct 23, 2005
- 1,439
- 1,378
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, Bartolini, Genzler Amplification, GHS, Tsunami Cables, Sonic Nuance
I got a set at the NAMM show yesterday but will have to wait until getting home on Monday to try em out. Looking forward to it though!
Yes, I've played both a lot in the past.
These are not as elastic feeling. There seems to be a more of a firmness but not a feel that equates to
just having more tension - if that makes any sense. I think these strings are more lively, and possibly modern (some may disagree here on that opinion). The name of the string is true to flexibility.
To me these are a bit less scoopy with more mids - without sacrificing the highs.
Definitely worth checking out!
I put a set on yesterday that I received from Jason this week. I'm usually a nickel string DR guy but based on my recent very positive experience with a Balanced Tension D'Addarrio set thought I'd give these a try. Put them on my 62 RI jazz.
I had some time today so finished the setup (didn't need much adjustment from previous DR Nickel Lo Riders) I messed around the with bass a bunch today. At first the finish and feel was a bit odd, especially compared to nickel strings but then I started adjusting. With the caveat that putting any new strings on your bass is almost always better than what was on there before, I'll say these strings are amazing.
Here's what I noticed:
- Tension wise, there are very similar to the Balanced Tension set.
- Tonewise, it felt like a much broader range of tonal options to work with than with typical nickel strings. I don't find these string to be particularly bright and definitely not harsh sounding but there's an upper midrange clarity that is amazing. My Jazz has stacked pots so tone/vol for each pickup. I really enjoyed pushing the bridge pickup up, neck backed off and tone rolled back on both. Liked it so much, started messing with chorus effect, something I never usually like. Also the bottom is tight and full. It feels like I've got a whole new set of usable sounds.
- Playability - The strings feel great after you play them for a bit. More importantly, I couldn't stop playing the bass yesterday! I stayed long after rehearsal and just played along with drum tracks.
I continue to be amazing at how much difference a set of strings can make on a bass. I've tried countless different sets on this bass over the years always with slightly different results. I suspect that different basses respond differently to string changes but at less than $20 a set just about the cheapest way to change up the sound and feel of your bass. D'Addarrio has a real winner with these strings.
I had some time today so finished the setup (didn't need much adjustment from previous DR Nickel Lo Riders) I messed around the with bass a bunch today. At first the finish and feel was a bit odd, especially compared to nickel strings but then I started adjusting. With the caveat that putting any new strings on your bass is almost always better than what was on there before, I'll say these strings are amazing.
Here's what I noticed:
- Tension wise, there are very similar to the Balanced Tension set.
- Tonewise, it felt like a much broader range of tonal options to work with than with typical nickel strings. I don't find these string to be particularly bright and definitely not harsh sounding but there's an upper midrange clarity that is amazing. My Jazz has stacked pots so tone/vol for each pickup. I really enjoyed pushing the bridge pickup up, neck backed off and tone rolled back on both. Liked it so much, started messing with chorus effect, something I never usually like. Also the bottom is tight and full. It feels like I've got a whole new set of usable sounds.
- Playability - The strings feel great after you play them for a bit. More importantly, I couldn't stop playing the bass yesterday! I stayed long after rehearsal and just played along with drum tracks.
I continue to be amazing at how much difference a set of strings can make on a bass. I've tried countless different sets on this bass over the years always with slightly different results. I suspect that different basses respond differently to string changes but at less than $20 a set just about the cheapest way to change up the sound and feel of your bass. D'Addarrio has a real winner with these strings.
Never touched a DR...
My order placed 1/20, they were in my mailbox all the way across the country Saturday (1/25). Busy weekend, they're still in the package. Hoping to start the change this evening. I am having reservations since they're described as both 'textured' and ultra-bright. But I'll give 'em a chance.
A few days into having them, here's some more info....
I've got 2 Jazz basses, one with a maple board (put a picture up a few posts ago), and a Fender 60's Classic Jazz w/a rosewood board. They both started out with D'Addario balanced nickel sets (super light: .040 .055 .070 .095).. I bought two sets of the Flex Steels (lightest gauge to be as close to what I like most, also for set up ease).
This weekend thru today, I've been switching between the two bases to compare feel, texture, tone, and flexibility. Tone and texture you really cannot compare because they are different animals. As Britbonic said, there is a much wider range of tones that you can get with the Flex Steels!
Because I used to play steel strings exclusively, I could easily get used to the more gritty texture. For those who play the ProSteel strings and want more expressiveness, these I believe represent a possible perfect upgrade!
Tension and flexibility these are darn close to D'Addario balanced strings (at least in this lower gauge). As someone said earlier, the D and G strings are traditionally higher tension strings on most bass string sets... Balanced Flex Steels would be cool, but I could adapt to these easily.
I'll play and compare some more, and possibly put the other Flex Steels on my 60s Jazz.
Bottom line thus far: Very Impressed!
Now, if D'Addario could put a nickel coating on these strings to make them smoother and sound just like these, I'd be even more impressed.
I've got 2 Jazz basses, one with a maple board (put a picture up a few posts ago), and a Fender 60's Classic Jazz w/a rosewood board. They both started out with D'Addario balanced nickel sets (super light: .040 .055 .070 .095).. I bought two sets of the Flex Steels (lightest gauge to be as close to what I like most, also for set up ease).
This weekend thru today, I've been switching between the two bases to compare feel, texture, tone, and flexibility. Tone and texture you really cannot compare because they are different animals. As Britbonic said, there is a much wider range of tones that you can get with the Flex Steels!
Because I used to play steel strings exclusively, I could easily get used to the more gritty texture. For those who play the ProSteel strings and want more expressiveness, these I believe represent a possible perfect upgrade!
Tension and flexibility these are darn close to D'Addario balanced strings (at least in this lower gauge). As someone said earlier, the D and G strings are traditionally higher tension strings on most bass string sets... Balanced Flex Steels would be cool, but I could adapt to these easily.
I'll play and compare some more, and possibly put the other Flex Steels on my 60s Jazz.
Bottom line thus far: Very Impressed!
Now, if D'Addario could put a nickel coating on these strings to make them smoother and sound just like these, I'd be even more impressed.
After 'degreasing' any manufacturing residue (oils, etc for rollers and guides), I run a large red Scotch pad (for metal polishing) at good pressure up and down the strings a few times.
This before installing, then another wipe with the glass cleaner (with ammonia to cut oils and not leave residue).
Most metal cutting, bending, and forming processes use lubes to increase life of the tooling, make tooling easier, and also to protect the surface of the product. Usually this is not completely cleaned off, and left as a protective coating (against oxidation).
The Scotch pad only smooths the outer surface a little, and can remove a surface discoloration, also.
I've only been inclined to use it on some s/s string sets, tho.
Just wondering the benefit of wanting them so smooth? I used to love the texture of Roto 66's. My fingers dug in and gripped them. Is it just the want to play steels on sexy bare wood fretless without marking it all up?
Some people prefer to have smoother strings than some of the s/s strings feel, but not everyone. Some like the grip.
Some like NPS for their smoother feel.
All personal choice.
Maybe a little less finger zing, also?
Some like NPS for their smoother feel.
All personal choice.
Maybe a little less finger zing, also?
This may be the critical pat of the equation for me.
The Wound Round was bad enough...
I may just go back to Half Round next...
So I put the FlexSteels on this morning which went way better than my previous restring (my first...) but because I wanted to be careful (and because I found a couple of loose tuner nuts and the cats were being so darned helpful) it took longer than I'd planned - so I didn't get to play much yet.
Right away, I was impressed with the output and the tones, which are there in abundance. They're not nearly as flexible as TI flats but of course they're not represented as such. I frankly didn't feel much flexibility difference over the Wound Round, but I have a pretty light touch anyway.
I didn't find the texture unpleasant on the right hand, but the left-hand chirping was more than I prefer. I'll try turning the treble down a little in the EQ but I'm not sure of the point of a super-bright string if you have to EQ it away to make it playable. Maybe they'll smooth out with more use.
I expect to stick with these through February to give them a chance as I work up to the Bass Boot Camp. If I haven't adapted to them by the last week in February, I'll put on my spare set of Wound Round and re-evaluate after that.
No question I like the tone, it's just an 'overall playability preference' issue now.
Gotta say, I've changed hundreds of sets of strings over the years and have never felt the need to clean them before installing. Only noticed a slight bit of residue with certain types of strings (Chromes come to mind) that is usually gone after playing a couple days. Worst case maybe a little black residue on my fingers. I've only had 2 sets of stainless steel strings including the Flex steels. Both are a little darker than typical nickels but nothing is coming off on my fingers or bass. Seems like this would typically be taken care of as part of the manufacturing process. Wouldn't the white paper sleeves typically used in string packages be dirty from the residue?
Oddly enough (or maybe not) I totally get the zing part. For me 1-5 days in is usually when I like my SS strings the most. Then by day 15-20 they start sucking. Shorten that to 5 days with nickel. I think I have acid hands. I eat well though.
I would love to use nickel but my hands just cause my wallet to weep.
On topic, I bought some Flex Steels after a bout a 3 set stint with Pro-Steels. The Pros were a good cheap alternative and they did the job. Lasted as long as anything else out there. Longer than DR and Thomastik even though they are touted as 'long lasting'. They were not. I am exited with all the rave reviews.
