• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

D'Addario...Flex Steels?

#141
Bit the bullet, and put the 2nd set of Flex Steels I got from BSOL (Jason), on my 60's Jazz. BAM! WOW!

These are really growing on me now.

I thought I'd go and order a 5 string set, and just saw that there is no 5 string equivalent for the gauges I like..

Basically the super light 4 string set doesn't go to a B string..... EFX220 = .040 .060 .075 .095 + ?

Anyone (or Jason), know if this was brought up in passing or @ NAMM this week?

The string line just seems incomplete (to me) without a super light 5 string set.

:hiding:
 
#143
I put these on my SR1205E this evening and I think D'Addario hit it out of the park with these strings. My initial response is very similar to chinjazz's. They feel good but more importantly they sound great. I can't wait to hear how they break in and how that works on this particular bass. Right now they are very balanced sounding and that surprised me. I was somewhat skeptical of that claim. I like what my ears tell me so far. I could get used to these very easily. I will post an update in a week or so. I think I will throw a set on my SR505 as well.
 
#145
christle said:
I put these on my SR1205E this evening and I think D'Addario hit it out of the park with these strings. My initial response is very similar to chinjazz's. They feel good but more importantly they sound great. I can't wait to hear how they break in and how that works on this particular bass. Right now they are very balanced sounding and that surprised me. I was somewhat skeptical of that claim. I like what my ears tell me so far. I could get used to these very easily. I will post an update in a week or so. I think I will throw a set on my SR505 as well.
Click to expand...

Awesome! :bassist:
 
#147
Just tried Flex Steels. Do not like them at all, sort of like high beams with less highs. Highs are closer to nickels than stainless steel to my ears. Probably depends a lot on the way you attack the strings, so if you are a fingerstyle player who likes that SS zing then stay away from these. You've been warned!
Pro Steels are much better for that sound, trust me!!!
 
#148
I have a set of Fat Beams on a PJ now as well as Flex Steels on 2 of my Jazz basses. I feel the Flex Steels have more mid to top end life in them.. Or maybe more predominant voice in that spectrum than the Fat Beams.. Of course my personal opinion.

I can certainly see if you were a Pro Steel player and miss something they produce it would be hard to consider something new.
 
#149
And BTW D'Addario made a mistake on their website. On their bass string chart they show Flex Steels being brighter than Pro Steels. Absolutely FALSE! Pro Steels are much brighter than Flex Steels! They need to fix that chart, as that is false advertising!!!
 
#151
Maiden Bass said:
And BTW D'Addario made a mistake on their website. On their bass string chart they show Flex Steels being brighter than Pro Steels. Absolutely FALSE! Pro Steels are much brighter than Flex Steels! They need to fix that chart, as that is false advertising!!!
Click to expand...

From the clips that Jason posted the Flex Steels sounded brighter than the Pro Steels to me. Since it appears to be a difference of opinion, I think making accusations of false advertising is a little over the top.
 
#153
Showdown said:
From the clips that Jason posted the Flex Steels sounded brighter than the Pro Steels to me. Since it appears to be a difference of opinion, I think making accusations of false advertising is a little over the top.
Click to expand...

I agree from that clip it does sound that way, that's why I purchased them, however there are new clips on youtube of flex steels and they do not sound that bright, in fact the guy who works at dadarrio even says they sound closer to nickel. Don't get me wrong, I love daddario but they need to put correct information on their website. You go buy 2 sets and hear it for yourself, the highs aren't even in the same ballpark. Also there is a difference between clarity and highs, flex steels may be clearer but they don't have more brightness!!!
 
#160
I beta-tested the FlexSteels last year before their release. My artist rep knew that I generally don't like steels and gave me these "mystery strings" to try out.

I recognized right out of the package that they were probably stainless, or a new stainless alloy. I gave them a shot though. I was surprised that they sounded pleasant fresh out of the envelope! Generally speaking, I find fresh string way too bright for the first few hours.... being steel I thought these would be really bad, but they weren't! The Flexsteels sounded much more broken-in to me & I actually used them on a session that morning.

Ultimately I liked the softer feel and less rasp of the Flexsteels vs. Prosteels. Not enough to switch from nickels,... but if I had to- Flexsteels would work for me. I did find them less raspy than Prosteels but with unmistakable stainless 'chime'. They do exhibit 'sleeve noise' like traditional stainless strings... I guess you get used to that?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back