Yeah, pretty much that. When I do decide to try something new string wise, I commit at least 4 -5 months, give them a chance for their true voice to be heard.
Guitar Showcase in San Jose?
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How do you test strings???
- Thread starter Anemic_SluG
- Start date
Yeah, pretty much that. When I do decide to try something new string wise, I commit at least 4 -5 months, give them a chance for their true voice to be heard.
Guitar Showcase in San Jose?
- Jan 26, 2014
- 768
- 1,555
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist;DNA Amplification, GHS strings
yes in San Jose, it's where I got my first bass (83 Fender USA Jazz), and a badass ii bridge and my peavey megabass in 1983!! And still have them all today.
Cool, born and raised in SJ. I bought a Peavey MK lV head new in '79 and still have it. It was my main amp for many-a-year.
^^^^^^
This, except even if they’re not all that great I’ll live with them for awhile so I’m not wasting my money.
Yes I was actually in Milpitas most of my life, but work and the Seattle scene took me north. But Showcase was my go to but man I wanted a BC Rich Mockingbird at K&K
Wow, forgot about K&K. They had some pretty cool stuff too.
I try out strings by putting them on and playing them. If I like them at home, I will take them to the next gig. If I like them after the gig, then I'll do another one. By then I've usually made up my mind one way or the other. At any point in the process, though, I will bail if I'm not feeling them. Most at least make it through a couple gigs. But no more will I keep a set on for months that I don't like. I hated TI Jazz Flats the second I put them on, but they have a lot of fans who love them and they kept telling me, "You have to give them time and then they're great." After 4 months I wished I had those 4 months back 
Not my thang.
Not my thang.
I dislike the sound of new strings, so the process takes me weeks if not months. I need to hear the broken-in sound to decide. In the meantime, I make sure I tweak my setup to bring out the best in the string. I typically listen/look for deficiencies in sound, feel, and durability. Each string has its unique qualities, so I just seek to overcome their weaknesses.
For flats, I usually buy used ones, let someone else break them in for me (and take the $$ hit). The rest is the same.
For flats, I usually buy used ones, let someone else break them in for me (and take the $$ hit). The rest is the same.
I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I’ve been out of the testing phase for over 30 years. I found a really good custom set of stainless steel roundwounds, and in 30 years have never received a bad one, nor has their overall quality changed or diminished.
I went through a period where I was buying strings, different brands for a year and a half. Depends if you want flats, rounds, steel, nickel, cobalt. More low end, more high end or mids.if you play with fingers or a pick or slap or all of the above.I tried Dunlop, Daddario, GHS, Rotosound, Dr Highbeams, Fender, EB cobalts, EB hybrids, EB super slinky, DR black beauties. All round wounds mind you.I basically left them break in enough so that " brand new " brightness was gone and would play it for a week or so. Unfortunately it costs some money. I knew what I wanted tone wise out of my strings and I didn't stop until I found it. Some people aren't as picky and they'll buy whatever. For me it came down to 2 which are very much the same difference for me. I use EB super slinky or DR Highbeams. Either one of those will do as they do the same tone wise for me.
I bought several basses, as close to identical as possible ... this allowed me to keep the flats mounted as they aged (for as long as needed) … when one was eliminated, another brand/gauge took its place … over a couple year period I thoroughly evaluated probably 8-10 brands of flats, in a variety of gauges … the last few sets mounted have become my 'go to' ...
Sad Black Label Light, Labella 760FL, and a very old set of Dean Markley ML (50-100) … still have a set of GHS and several sets of Chromes on hand, just in case something new comes through here … for reference, passive Fender Jazz 4's …
Flats aren’t my thing!I try out strings by putting them on and playing them. If I like them at home, I will take them to the next gig. If I like them after the gig, then I'll do another one. By then I've usually made up my mind one way or the other. At any point in the process, though, I will bail if I'm not feeling them. Most at least make it through a couple gigs. But no more will I keep a set on for months that I don't like. I hated TI Jazz Flats the second I put them on, but they have a lot of fans who love them and they kept telling me, "You have to give them time and then they're great." After 4 months I wished I had those 4 months back
I usually go by distribution. I change strings monthly, and D’Addario are always readily available.
If I can find a set of Ernie Balls, I’ll throw them on, but honestly, I’m not that picky about strings.
