I use D'Addario Nickel 0.45-1.05 on all basses I have, an Extra long scale set for my Gibson RD Artist. I just recently found the still unopened set of the first bass strings I ever bought. I bought the wrong set (0.55-1.10, XL-230), that set must be old already, I bought them in 1996, but it was over 15 years old then already. The sticker on the back is funny, it reads: "Designed to fit Fender Jazz, Fender Telecaster, Fender Precision, Rickenbacker, Gibson Ripper, Gibson Grabber, Gibson G-3, Music Man, Ibanez Musician, Ibanez Roadstar, Ibanez FB, Ibanez Precision, Carl Thompson and other long scale basses". Sounds like late 70's/early 80's...
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D'Addario Users..
- Thread starter ilikeindie
- Start date
They're a bit lower tension than the EXL 220's, more like the EXL 180's if memory serves. It's been a while since I used the EXL's. The Pro Steels are brighter, and also to my ear have stronger mids.
All IMO.
D'Addario XL nickels are awesome.
D'Addario Prosteels are the worst strings ever made IMO, right after GHS.
D'Addario Prosteels are the worst strings ever made IMO, right after GHS.
I've got a set of Chromes 50-105 flats on my 59 RI P-Bass and a set of Chromes 45-132 on my 5-string P and they sound great, deep and warm, just like I wanted.
i use xl nickels and i like them a lot
the other strings i really like are nickel dr lo riders...which i have on my fretless right now...
the d'addario sound a bit brighter right out of the package, and the y feel slinkier, but they settle in to a very similar sound as the dr lo riders after a few days...just my experience
d'addario is a great company
the other strings i really like are nickel dr lo riders...which i have on my fretless right now...
the d'addario sound a bit brighter right out of the package, and the y feel slinkier, but they settle in to a very similar sound as the dr lo riders after a few days...just my experience
d'addario is a great company
I rip on D'Addario's QC a lot.... and it's well deserved. They're consistancy sucks.
However, when I get lucky and get a good set, or I can piece together a good set, the XL's sound fabulous. I have them on an MIA Jazz, and now that they've settled in, they have a great, warm, throaty tone. I wish I could find a nickel round that sounds that good all the time...... and do it without buying 4 sets, hoping I get lucky, or can piece together a good set.
Ljazz
However, when I get lucky and get a good set, or I can piece together a good set, the XL's sound fabulous. I have them on an MIA Jazz, and now that they've settled in, they have a great, warm, throaty tone. I wish I could find a nickel round that sounds that good all the time...... and do it without buying 4 sets, hoping I get lucky, or can piece together a good set.
Ljazz
I just put a set of Pro Steels on my Warwick .045 - .135. Absolutley love them. The hi end is to bright and the lows are so tight....I dont think I'll ever buy any other type for my Warwick.
Honestly, my experience has been just the opposite. I have never gotten a dude set of D'Addarios in my life, it's the main reason I use them.
ive been using d's for the longest time but i've switch to carvin strings coz i cant find any 40-128 on d's pls advise.
I use XLs on my fretted and chromes on my fretless. both basses are Carvin. I've been D'Addario's exclusively for several years without any problems.
I am also currently looking for strings. do D's have a tone that brings out the mids and treble. I'm looking for a very crisp sound that brings out the mid/treble alot because my pups dont give me much mid, so I might try get some new strings, see what it does
I might suggest Ernie Ball strings if you want a little more treble. Very similar to D'Addario, but a bit brighter.
i love the nickel wound , i also like the prosteels but they sound different to me and feel more different but the good part is they last longer than the nickel ones
- Aug 21, 2003
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XL nickwound (EXL 170 and EXL 170-5SL)
I love these strings and I'm hearing how they don't last so long but put compared to Roto, DR and especially GHS Boomers they last a super long time.
The EXL 170-5SL are perfect for a Q5
Over all I think they are very consistent and last a good bit.
I love these strings and I'm hearing how they don't last so long but put compared to Roto, DR and especially GHS Boomers they last a super long time.
The EXL 170-5SL are perfect for a Q5
Over all I think they are very consistent and last a good bit.
I use Chrome flats on my J-style basses and my semi-hollow Ibanez AGB-140. The semi-hollow Ibanez and Chromes are a match made in heaven.
Same here - in fact, the only time I e-mailed them to b*tch them out about getting rid of the Prism (*my* favorite strings at the time) line for ProSteels, and received a handwritten letter back explaining how they had designed the ProSteel line as an upgrade to the Prisms, what changes they had made... as well as 3 free sets to compare my Prisms to.
That's more than "quality control", that's a whole 'nother level of customer satisfaction!
I can''t see myself using any other string - not only have they been very good to me on other occasions, but the factory is about 15 minutes from where I grew up and I like to feel that I'm supporting my hometown. 
