• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

D'Addario new for 2013 thread!

I recently ordered a pack of these new EXL220BT with a 130 B string and to my fingers, they feel WAY floppy :-(

I've never used 40-55-70-95 but I guess I didn't double check the gauge and thought that they'd be the equivalent to my norm of 45-105 with a 130 B string

Right now, I'm probably going to stick with my Sadowsky Blue Labels...I happen to like a "tighter" string tension and "if it ain't broke don't fix it"....but in the event that I'm totally clueless regarding "balanced tension sets" please feel free to she'd some light :-)

Those are pretty light on the top..I like 40, 55, 75, 105 myself.
 
I recently ordered a pack of these new EXL220BT with a 130 B string and to my fingers, they feel WAY floppy :-(

I've never used 40-55-70-95 but I guess I didn't double check the gauge and thought that they'd be the equivalent to my norm of 45-105 with a 130 B string

Right now, I'm probably going to stick with my Sadowsky Blue Labels...I happen to like a "tighter" string tension and "if it ain't broke don't fix it"....but in the event that I'm totally clueless regarding "balanced tension sets" please feel free to she'd some light :-)

You ordered the wrong pack. There's one that goes 45-107.
 
Hoo boy! You're not going to like this, but the closest tension B to that set is a .145! No way I'd ever use that, so maybe on the B string I'd sacrifice a little tension not to play a telephone cable. However, I could be wrong and it could feel just great. I really don't play 5-string enough to know or care ;) Still...that's a thick darn B string.

Here's D'addario's tension chart:

http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
 
Hoo boy! You're not going to like this, but the closest tension B to that set is a .145! No way I'd ever use that, so maybe on the B string I'd sacrifice a little tension not to play a telephone cable. However, I could be wrong and it could feel just great. I really don't play 5-string enough to know or care ;) Still...that's a thick darn B string.

Here's D'addario's tension chart:

http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

Yep.. This is why I'm going to try the 130, so as to not have to file my nut..
 
You'll be able to slap together a set of Chromes pretty closely matched soon. D'addario's about to start selling all their strings as singles. But they likely won't start selling BT sets until they see how they do with XL's.
 
Thanks... Jason @ BSO said the same thing 3 months ago... hopefully any day now :)

On the subject of singles... They are not available yet, but I did notice a new single available to start shipping February 22nd!

Tapered .120T Single XL Nickel in Long Scale!

WOOT!!!

Great for those in Drop C/Drop D...
 
Hoo boy! You're not going to like this, but the closest tension B to that set is a .145! No way I'd ever use that, so maybe on the B string I'd sacrifice a little tension not to play a telephone cable. However, I could be wrong and it could feel just great. I really don't play 5-string enough to know or care ;) Still...that's a thick darn B string.
Yeah, it's pretty thick; not quite a telephone cable, but I can understand your misgivings.

Anyway, for comparison purposes here's a D'Addario XL Nickel Wound .145 in between a .095 and a .125:

strings640x480_zpsdc41c196.jpg


The .095 and the .125 are the E and B strings on my Ibanez Mikro 5-string. They're both way too floppy for my tastes, and even with the saddles pulled back as far as they'll go these strings are still way too sharp at the 12th fret. I've just received the D'Addario EXL170BT set, and I'm hoping a .107 E and a .145 B will go some way towards fixing these problems, that is once I figure out how the heck I'm going to fit long scale strings to a 28.5" scale bass!

Oh, and Jason, thanks once again for the great service!

:D
 
I was already well aware of this, having had prior experience with other short scale basses, but I guess you weren't to know that, so I'll excuse the condescending tone of your comments.

The thicker strings are certain to be a little less floppy, hence more to my taste, and they will almost certainly intonate better as well. Nothing to lose.
 
Hoo boy! You're not going to like this, but the closest tension B to that set is a .145! No way I'd ever use that, so maybe on the B string I'd sacrifice a little tension not to play a telephone cable. However, I could be wrong and it could feel just great. I really don't play 5-string enough to know or care ;) Still...that's a thick darn B string.

Here's D'addario's tension chart:

http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

It's pretty great on my P5.

I just installed the .130 set on my Hannewinkle Jazz5 and they are nice too. They are pretty light but feel great.
 
Why wouldn't you want balanced tension?
Well personally i see many advantages to having tension fall gently from low to high (the opposite of tradition), so many advantages i'm too lazy to list them all right now :)
But certainly i can see no advantages in the traditional rise in tension from low to high, but if people like that that's cool by me.