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Giving Pro Steels a try...
- Thread starter BrentSimons
- Start date
Mulling over the Pro Steels' slightly lower tension than what I'm used to in hexcore rounds, I've realised that, since they're easily available as single strings, this is an opportunity for me to try moving from 45-65-85-105 to 50-65-85-110.
When I tried Chromes I built a 45-60-80-105 set, and really liked the even feel across the strings (it turned out I don't like flats, but that's another story) On both Boomers and 7250s, the looseness of their 105 E strings relative to the A and D is my least favourite thing.
When I tried Chromes I built a 45-60-80-105 set, and really liked the even feel across the strings (it turned out I don't like flats, but that's another story) On both Boomers and 7250s, the looseness of their 105 E strings relative to the A and D is my least favourite thing.
Good idea on the single strings, Daddario do a set with a .110 E but sadly the D and G are .75 and .55 which are crazy gauges for a D and G
This tension talk has me considering trying the Pro Steels set in the gauges 50/70/85/105/135 (I think that’s the gauges). I’ve been enjoying the 45 to 130 sets, and while I’m trying my best to play lighter, I do tend to dig in a bit
I don’t know what will be better…the lighter set with a slightly higher action or the heavier set with a lower action. I can’t see really big differences either way. I tried the EXL Nickeks in the heavier gauge and they’ve gotten harder to play at my old age.
So we’ll see. I’m not gonna look at tension charts and compare numbers. I’m just gonna play the things and see how they feel.
(Corrected the string game in bold and italics. Thanx, @Ricky Rioli !)
I don’t know what will be better…the lighter set with a slightly higher action or the heavier set with a lower action. I can’t see really big differences either way. I tried the EXL Nickeks in the heavier gauge and they’ve gotten harder to play at my old age.
So we’ll see. I’m not gonna look at tension charts and compare numbers. I’m just gonna play the things and see how they feel.
(Corrected the string game in bold and italics. Thanx, @Ricky Rioli !)
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Thanx, Ricky! That's the set.
Actually, I have a thing about wanting to run the B string through the body (that's the only string provided for string-through on the Mike Lulls). Not gonna debate the virtue or lack of it for string-through here, I just wanna. That's the only reason I need....
. So in the habit of my ordering strings for these basses, I ordered (from FretNation) the 4-string set of the Pro Steels, then I order the single extra-long .135 strings. Should be here by the end of next week.
This, btw, is even more wise than you might realise: if you trying looking into this, you discover there's a mind-melting difference between Daddario's tension chart and what they print on the back of the packets. I wish I had kept well away
This, btw, is even more wise than you might realise: if you trying looking into this, you discover there's a mind-melting difference between Daddario's tension chart and what they print on the back of the packets. I wish I had kept well away
Individual Pro Steels are in short supply in the UK at the moment, it seems the only decent option is Daddario themselves. Guess which is cheaper – me buying them retail, or me paying my tech to buy them trade and fit them for me? 
But never mind, my 2 balanced tension sets of 50-65-85-110 are on their way. I'll report back once I've been able to get my bass to the tech.
The tensions given on the chart are 49 / 47 / 45 / 44. That adds up the same as a 45-105 set of Boomers or Swing Bass — and the tensions on the chart are about 7% higher than what's printed on the backs of the sets
— so there should be a nice even feel, and overall I shouldn't find it too hard work.
But never mind, my 2 balanced tension sets of 50-65-85-110 are on their way. I'll report back once I've been able to get my bass to the tech.
The tensions given on the chart are 49 / 47 / 45 / 44. That adds up the same as a 45-105 set of Boomers or Swing Bass — and the tensions on the chart are about 7% higher than what's printed on the backs of the sets
— so there should be a nice even feel, and overall I shouldn't find it too hard work.
That checks out. Something I noticed from trying many different strings and still trying new sets out is that when you're tuned up to pitch I haven't noticed a huge difference in stiffness from string to string. Of course they are a little different due to different machines and external factors but a 105 feels like a 105 almost to a point if being standardized. Sure the wrap is different and it definitely changes the vibration and tone as well as how grabby a string can be but in most cases the tension difference is fairly negligible. And I'm talking about roundwounds vs roundwounds BTW.Individual Pro Steels are in short supply in the UK at the moment, it seems the only decent option is Daddario themselves. Guess which is cheaper – me buying them retail, or me paying my tech to buy them trade and fit them for me?
But never mind, my 2 balanced tension sets of 50-65-85-110 are on their way. I'll report back once I've been able to get my bass to the tech.
The tensions given on the chart are 49 / 47 / 45 / 44. That adds up the same as a 45-105 set of Boomers or Swing Bass — and the tensions on the chart are about 7% higher than what's printed on the backs of the sets
I would go with the tensions on the website (select the relevant gauge and click on the learn more section) as the tension chart Daddario published was years and years ago so is not the most reliable chart and the Daddario changed the way they calculate tension a couple of years ago so if the packet you are looking at is a few years old the tension info on the back of the packet might not be accurateIndividual Pro Steels are in short supply in the UK at the moment, it seems the only decent option is Daddario themselves. Guess which is cheaper – me buying them retail, or me paying my tech to buy them trade and fit them for me?
But never mind, my 2 balanced tension sets of 50-65-85-110 are on their way. I'll report back once I've been able to get my bass to the tech.
The tensions given on the chart are 49 / 47 / 45 / 44. That adds up the same as a 45-105 set of Boomers or Swing Bass — and the tensions on the chart are about 7% higher than what's printed on the backs of the sets
So I did that, and have done my sums:
Pro Steels 45–65–85–105
41 + 47 + 44 + 37 = 169 lbs
(image of back of pack on website: 159.95 lbs. Whatever.)
Pro Steels 50–65–85–110
49 + 47 + 44 + 40 = 180 lbs
Rotosound RB45 45–65–85–105
48 + 51 + 47 + 39 = 185 lbs
GHS Boomers 45–65–85–105
45 + 50 + 49 + 42 = 186 lbs
With a spread from 40 to 49 for each string, I don't think I can really claim to have put together a "balanced tension" set, but hopefully they'll make my fingers and ears happy
(and I don't think I'm about to give the fingers of my left hand a fright)PS forgot to say: these will be going on my Squier Matt Freeman, which I've fitted with a Dimarzio Model P. The nut and bridge aren't stock either, but I forget those details.
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Yeah, I remember someone on one of the forums queried this and they said that they had changed there formula for calculating tension which had changed the tension data results a little, I keep a couple of spare sets of strings and I have a pack of 105-45 that says 169ibs and another that says 159ibs, I use there website for the tension inform
Just put them on and play them?
If you're coming from 7250s 45-105 then the PS in the same gauge will be very similar, tiny bit more flexible, a little more coarse on the fingers but much brighter overall with a huge top and low end.
If you're coming from 7250s 45-105 then the PS in the same gauge will be very similar, tiny bit more flexible, a little more coarse on the fingers but much brighter overall with a huge top and low end.
Hey Guys,
Made a quick clip of the Pro Steels on my lovely Peacock Blue Peavey Cirrus. Too bad my playing isn't as lovely but you will get the drift. Fingerstyle then with a pick. To me they sound more gritty than growly? Maybe?
All settings are flat. Bass into my Bass Pod Xt with everything bypassed.
Stay healthy y'all,
Brent
Made a quick clip of the Pro Steels on my lovely Peacock Blue Peavey Cirrus. Too bad my playing isn't as lovely but you will get the drift. Fingerstyle then with a pick. To me they sound more gritty than growly? Maybe?
All settings are flat. Bass into my Bass Pod Xt with everything bypassed.
Stay healthy y'all,
Brent
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To me, both, that's what I love about these strings. Good playing, by the way
Very kind. Thank you!To me, both, that's what I love about these strings. Good playing, by the way
The 50-65-85-110 Pro Steels are now chattering away happily with the Dimarzio Model P on my Matt Freeman, and I'm really pleased with them. I don't have a sense of having changed the character of the bass, but rather having brought the existing character into nice clear focus.
My only previous experience of pure steel rounds was a set of Swing Bass 66, so I've been pleasantly surprised by how un-rough the Pro Steels are.
My only previous experience of pure steel rounds was a set of Swing Bass 66, so I've been pleasantly surprised by how un-rough the Pro Steels are.
The EPS165 set I ordered came in today. Just finished putting them on.
My FGN Mighty Jazz sounds so much better now!
The XT's (nickel) that I'd put on 2 weeks ago were driving me bonkers - really didn't like the sound or the feel.
Stainless is the thing for me. There's also some Swing 66's on the way to try later.
My FGN Mighty Jazz sounds so much better now!
The XT's (nickel) that I'd put on 2 weeks ago were driving me bonkers - really didn't like the sound or the feel.
Stainless is the thing for me. There's also some Swing 66's on the way to try later.
