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Expensive strings are prefereable?

#41
Some swear by Flats and a lot are loving TIs or Pyramids. Great strings. Also very pricey.

I use tapes on all my fretless, Roto Tru Bass, or a few differing LaBellas. I like the white tape LaBellas. They are $35 to $40. And I like Rounds on my fretted basses.

I used to use coated DRs or coated Rotos for some time. They were in the $30 to $40 range.

I had been seeing the German Optima 24kt Golds for a while. Pricey also. I finally got around to ordering a set. And I love them. Zappa and Brian May used the Gold Optima guitar strings. Optima is a manufacturer of strings for all sorts of orchestral instruments also. And been in the string business for 100 years.

I tried a set a few years ago. And found them to last longer than any string I've ever bought. They have a slick feel, and great sound to me. I now have them on my go to USA Spector fretted basses.

The Optima gold is an actual heavy 24 kt gold plate on the winding wraps. It's not plated on the completed string; it is plated before they wind. It doesn't come off or wear off. I've had the old anodized gold strings that were out for a while, that Randy Jackson was endorsing. The anodized gold came off those pretty soon. That is not the case with Optimas. Big difference in actual plating versus anodizing.

I finally broke down and tried a set a few years ago, and "I Like It".

 
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#43
If you think some strings are expensive, try getting a set for an Upright Bass.

I have a Guts on mine. They are sold in singles usually and can be $130 for just the "E" String. Whew.
An on-sale set of Pirastros are $592...... on sale!!!!!!!!!
An Efrano set (the bargain basement one) are $432.
Still Whew......
 
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#44
Only if I'm playing flatwounds, then it has to be TI's otherwise i really like Dunlop's nickels and they are inexpensive. I done use flats on any basses anymore but they are worth it as they like all flats last forever so they are a good investment.
 
#45
Eddie LeBlanc said:
If you think some strings are expensive, try getting a set for an Upright Bass.

I have a Guts on mine. They are sold in singles usually and can be $130 for just the "E" String. Whew.
An on-sale set of Pirastros are $592...... on sale!!!!!!!!!
An Efrano set (the bargain basement one) are $432.
Still Whew......
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Ouch ! Guess I won't complain about string prices anymore!
 
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#46
gigetto said:
More expensive strings are prefereable versus less expensive strings but good quality like D'Addario's, Ernie Ball, Rotosound?

What's the remarkable difference in tone, long lasting and....between a standard strings and a 30% more expensive (or more) string?
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strings are a fungible part of your gear. Let your ears be your guide, and make sure you give them a thorough work out involving different tone and EQ settings. Personally, I've used d'Adderio's, and found nothing objectionable with them. My go to are DR Lo-Riders, just a bit more expensive but do have a more refined sound and I get a few more hours out of them.
 
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#50
I've been using Ernie Ball Slinky's since the 80's. When we toured we could even find EB's in most local Radio Shacks.

eb-ex-slinky.png

A friend recommended Hartke Transient Attack Ex Lights and I've used them also for years. You can get them in three-packs relatively inexpensively.

hartke strings.jpg


When we toured for six months at a time I was living in Seattle (when Seattle had half a dozen GC's and American Music) and I bypassed the more expensive strings because I liked the new bright sound and only traveled with two basses. Now that I'm older I have half a dozen usable basses (different voicings) so changing strings is not such an issue, especially with the lack of public gigs. I'm a creature of habit. I tend to stick what works well for me.

Both my SR500L and SR1200 VNF Premium came with Elixers and I tried to like them. Didn't have as crisp a sound as I would have liked. Changed both of them over to Slinky's.
 
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#51
My Inquiry was for the round wound. Not flats, Nylon or others. But Common strings roundwound not cheap, as major diffusing label are less durable, loose in tone and bright than more affirmed and expensive label that cost twice?
 
#52
gigetto said:
My Inquiry was for the round wound. Not flats, Nylon or others. But Common strings roundwound not cheap, as major diffusing label are less durable, loose in tone and bright than more affirmed and expensive label that cost twice?
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Sometimes yes, sometimes no. You can't make assumptions like that.
 
#53
Dragan said:
If one spend 30% percent more on a mtd/elixir/dr/sansone and then enjoy their tone for at least double time than with d'addario/dunlop/ernie ball/roto, would you consider that a worthwhile?
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Dear Dragan no is not a crime to spend 30% more if more expensive strigs are better.

For example in the first group in America you have the Dunlop, Italian's in the second and not for a little bit more...and the reverse with Dogal Sansone, probably others tat in Italy are cheaper. Only the ernesto Palla and D'Addario are similar to price in UE- US.

And the second answer is A Dr last longer than D'Addarioìs? Mine on Jazz are long lasting, double than others....
 
#54
gigetto said:
Dear Dragan no is not a crime to spend 30% more if more expensive strigs are better.

For example in the first group in America you have the Dunlop, Italian's in the second and not for a little bit more...and the reverse with Dogal Sansone, probably others tat in Italy are cheaper. Only the ernesto Palla and D'Addario are similar to price in UE- US.

And the second answer is A Dr last longer than D'Addarioìs? Mine on Jazz are long lasting, double than others....
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Not sure that I've followed you on your point here. However, my point being - yes, more expensive strings are good investment, because in my experience they last much longer and I am more satisfied with them.

EDIT: I see you are from Italy, well, why bother when you got Sansone on your disposal? For me, they are best stings in the world!
 
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#57
As example Dunlop some years ago were priced like Sansone, Dogal, little bit more than EB or D'Addario's similar to Cocco or BCRick. Now are same level of price like the Tomastick, La Bella,

Galli are good strings for example not heavy priced here in Italy...and Mark Bass cost same in Usa than in Italy....
 

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