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D'Addario Pro Steels; First Impression

Snowglo

Snowglo

Pro Aris et Focis
Supporting Member
Nov 15, 2013
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U.S. Military endorsement since 1984
#1
Tried a set of Pro Steels yesterday on my 4003, and I can say I'm less than impressed. Bummer, because I've read some pretty decent reviews on these strings. First thing I noticed was that my low-mids and bottom end disappeared. I know this sounds crazy, but my volume even seemed to suffer. Extremely bright highs. So much that I needed to take out all the presence out of my pre-amp and add mids and lows. Took me half way thru our set last night to get a fairly decent tone. Thankfully it was only a practice.

On a positive note they feel great! Very comfortable.

Sticking with DR's.
 
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#2
I've been using Prosteels exclusively on all my Ibanez SR basses, and simply love them the best. They're nice-n-bright, and loaded with zing ... for the first two months anyway plus they're inexpensive. If you want a little mellower sound you might try SIT Powerwounds; they're really nice sounding for nickel rounds.
 
#4
I used Roto's exclusively for years (before my RIC), but they changed a few years back and I felt something was off. Can't describe it, just off. Went to DR Low Riders, but the tension seemed too much for the RIC. Love their High Beams though.

Just bummed these Pro Steels are so thin, scooped sounding. Like I said, they feel great and the tension is to my liking.
 
#8
Snowglo said:
Tried a set of Pro Steels yesterday on my 4003, and I can say I'm less than impressed. Bummer, because I've read some pretty decent reviews on these strings. First thing I noticed was that my low-mids and bottom end disappeared. I know this sounds crazy, but my volume even seemed to suffer. Extremely bright highs. So much that I needed to take out all the presence out of my pre-amp and add mids and lows. Took me half way thru our set last night to get a fairly decent tone. Thankfully it was only a practice.

On a positive note they feel great! Very comfortable.

Sticking with DR's.
Click to expand...

Have you tried D'Addario nickel wound? I've been using them for almost 20 years and they've always served me well. They might not last as long as other strings as far as brightness goes, but they have nice warm mids and feel very comfortable. I tried the Pro steels once and hated them. I don't like SS strings in general.
 
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#9
I have not tried D'A nickels, this was the first set of D'A's period. Not a nickel guy, SS's only. Thanks for the advice though!

Put a set of DR High Beams on last night and that great growl and tone that Ric's are famous for was evident. Great bottom end also!
 
#10
@MSGNoff
I used to be a SS guy back in the day, but once I tried the D'A nickels I never looked back. With the set neck of the ric, you might like the balanced tension nickel XL's (a couple of different tensions to choose from). I'm using the D'A coated nickels exclusively now. (build your own set(s) from BSO) I could not be happier.
 
#11
smogg said:
@MSGNoff
I used to be a SS guy back in the day, but once I tried the D'A nickels I never looked back. With the set neck of the ric, you might like the balanced tension nickel XL's (a couple of different tensions to choose from). I'm using the D'A coated nickels exclusively now. (build your own set(s) from BSO) I could not be happier.
Click to expand...

On a Ric? I'm willing to give anything a try.
 
#12
I would suggest that, to really develop an informed assessment of any set of strings, that one should commit to wearing them for at least a few days. Allow them time to break in a bit, then see how they open up.
I'm a long time DR lowrider user, and on a whim decided to try the DAddario Flex Steels on my MIJ Geddy... I absolutely hated them at first, and ordered another set of DRs right away... In the meantime while waiting for the DRs to arrive, I continued to practice on the Geddy. A funny thing happened a few hours into playing the flexsteels. 1rst, they really smoothed out, not only sound wise but feel wise as well. 2nd, the bottom end opened up massively. The mids and highs are still present, but the harshness isn't. I had the precise occurrence happen with a set of Prosteels recently as well. They seem thin and clacky at first (and that first impression is enough for a lot of folks to damn them) but they mature into a nicely robust and awesome feeling set fairly quickly.
In short, give them a few days, then decide.
 
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#14
Snowglo said:
Tried a set of Pro Steels yesterday on my 4003, and I can say I'm less than impressed. Bummer, because I've read some pretty decent reviews on these strings. First thing I noticed was that my low-mids and bottom end disappeared. I know this sounds crazy, but my volume even seemed to suffer. Extremely bright highs. So much that I needed to take out all the presence out of my pre-amp and add mids and lows. Took me half way thru our set last night to get a fairly decent tone. Thankfully it was only a practice.

On a positive note they feel great! Very comfortable.

Sticking with DR's.
Click to expand...
What type of sound were you going for. The Pro steels work well for my basses. I wouldn't say the best but for the money they work well for me. I really love the DR Marcus Miller Phat Beams as they sound good throughout the tonal spectrum. It does have a good mid presence that the hi beams didn't have (As well as the pro steels) as much. Although a great string also. I know they are expensive but you may want to give them a try. Last long to.
 
#15
I'm pretty happy with my set. I have the Extra super light.
I like the bright tone when popping and slapping. I do notice a lack of warm low end.
I have a neck humbucker, (it's in my avatar) which when I select that with the tone knob turned down, it can cut the trebley-ness.
They are a bit cheaper than Ken Smith Bass Burner strings too, as I liked those in ultra light gauge.
 
#18
By the way what gauges did you originally use regarding the pro steels? I like the 45-135 (45,65,85,105,135 for the fender type basses). For my music man I use the lighter 45-130 with the .100 e string and .80 A string. Sometimes a certain gauge works best for a particular bass.
 
#20
I've used the prosteel 40-95's since 2007ish on my basses loaded with barts. They're my faves. I'm trying some custom nickles from stringjoy when they arrive at 35-90 on my 51 reissue pbass. The steels were too clacky on that big chunk of maple, so hopefully going to nickel will help. Never noticed that issue on my ibanezes, but it might be because ibys are easier to get a good setup. Also changing the bridge, which should help with that.
 
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