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I wish I didn't swap string brands like socks!...

#21
Geri O said:
Arrghhh...

Seems like every few months I'm changing string types.

At the beginning of the year, I was into the D'addario Pro Steels. However, I got interested in a more-in-the-middle between steels and nickels brought me to the NYXLs again (tried a couple of years ago).
So I got the NYXLs and started using them. Pretty much achieved what I was hoping for and I really like their long life.

However, early this week, I was playing a week-old set of the NYXLs and realized (through the headphones, then my small 210 combo kickback amp) that the B and E strings weren't, well, what I was used to. Not dead, but not very lively, especially with slap-style playing. Admittedly, I hardly play slap at all on gigs, but I still practice it because, well, I just like to.

This made me go "hmm...", then think back that I still had two sets of Pro Steels that I was about to give away (except that I can hardly give away new un-used strings because they are a little heavier than my other bass buddies use). So I put them on and yeah, there we go. Pro Steels are bright, but I seem to hear a little more warmth to them than other stainless steel strings I've tried. And yes, I'm loving the B and E strings with these strings. I put them on both my Jazz-style Lull and my Precision-style Lull. Same characteristics, much happier with the B and E strings.

All that to get to this point. I've been around the world with DRs, Dunlops, Ernie Balls, and other brands. Either the gauges were funky-feeling (how descriptive, I know!) or just didn't care for them. And Pro Steels come standard on Mike Lull basses. So hopefully, I'll stick with these for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...
I’ve done the same thing with my Lull basses. lol

Fact: Lulls sound best with ProSteels. Although, the IMA4 came with Dunlop Superbright Nickels. Had the feel of nickel but the sound of steels. If I can find a single XL B-string, I may give them a try on my M5.
 
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#23
Geri O said:
Arrghhh...

Seems like every few months I'm changing string types.

At the beginning of the year, I was into the D'addario Pro Steels. However, I got interested in a more-in-the-middle between steels and nickels brought me to the NYXLs again (tried a couple of years ago).
So I got the NYXLs and started using them. Pretty much achieved what I was hoping for and I really like their long life.

However, early this week, I was playing a week-old set of the NYXLs and realized (through the headphones, then my small 210 combo kickback amp) that the B and E strings weren't, well, what I was used to. Not dead, but not very lively, especially with slap-style playing. Admittedly, I hardly play slap at all on gigs, but I still practice it because, well, I just like to.

This made me go "hmm...", then think back that I still had two sets of Pro Steels that I was about to give away (except that I can hardly give away new un-used strings because they are a little heavier than my other bass buddies use). So I put them on and yeah, there we go. Pro Steels are bright, but I seem to hear a little more warmth to them than other stainless steel strings I've tried. And yes, I'm loving the B and E strings with these strings. I put them on both my Jazz-style Lull and my Precision-style Lull. Same characteristics, much happier with the B and E strings.

All that to get to this point. I've been around the world with DRs, Dunlops, Ernie Balls, and other brands. Either the gauges were funky-feeling (how descriptive, I know!) or just didn't care for them. And Pro Steels come standard on Mike Lull basses. So hopefully, I'll stick with these for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...
Get a Dingwall. Then all kinds of string options will go away.
 
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#24
The grass is always greener with strings. It honestly gives me a degree of anxiety.
  • I’ll buy a set of strings based on reviews, video sound clips, etc.
  • String them up, and…idk, not sure if I like them or not.
  • Then have to play them in and wait a few weeks to see if they settle into something I like.
  • If they do, Great!….but how long before they change again, and no longer sound how I’ll like?
  • Did they actually change, or did my preferences just change? Am I just looking for something to be dissatisfied with?
  • Idk, let’s try a new string! And the cycle repeats…..

This is part of why I like flats. I force myself to use them for at least 3 years. Also why I’m afraid to try LaBellas or TIs. I don’t want to drop that kind of money to find that I hate them lol.
 
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#25
I have been using D'Addario EXL for as long as I can remember. My latest bass was made with these strings in mind so that was another reason to keep using them. I tried a set of steel strings that chewed up my fretless fingerboard once. I liked the extra zing but they felt like sandpaper.
 
#30
tb-player said:
If I can find a single XL B-string, I may give them a try on my M5.
Click to expand...
If a string maker makes an XL (extra long?) single string, FretNation is pretty good about carrying them, or at least can get them.
With the Pro Steels, I was (or will be) ordering the 4-set and ordering a single extra-long B string to go through the body (35” scales).

(I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble, but the string-through debate can rage on without me. I like string-through and it shuts me up. What else could be better….:roflmao:)
 
#31
I've settled on S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel round wounds on my short scale six. Still amazingly bright and zingy and punchy after many years on original set. I have Foderas on the Fodera. S.I.T. has excellent customer service too. I've tried DR, D'Addario (my 2nd favorite nickels) on my Fretless Medulla Hex. I need bass(es) that can cover any situation for recording so have stayed with what works on those basses.
 
#34
It's enough to drive you MAD. In the back of my mind I am always thinking about changing p-bass strings.. back to a string I have already had on the bass! Right now I have La Bellas LTFs and think they are the most musical strings the bass has worn but I don't think they are very rock and roll (I play in a classic Rock band).

I love string discussions..
 
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#35
My issue with changing strings is that if I try out a new type on a bass that has worn out strings (unless something is terribly wrong with the ones on it, this is the only time I ever change them anyway) I am comparing a fresh set of X type strings to a dead set of Y type strings. Hardly a fair comparison. That always skews my perception a bit.
 
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#36
That frequency of changes is not really that bad. Maybe even normal. If you are spending 200 or let say changing 2 to 4 times a month on one bass... Then yeah. DR has many stainless steel models. You should at least try Rotosounds as they started using that material and for more kick GHS Super Steels and try Dunlop as well so you really understand what bright means. Then when you have contenders, you go down the gauge rabbit hole and you have to also look for rare ones like Dean Markley. And then there are always exotic European brands waiting for you . Don't forget SIT
 
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#40
I don't know what strings were coming with Lulls in 2012 (when I bought mine) but I really like 40-120 Pure Blues on my M5V (though I'm currently using Hi-Beams - which I still like - because I have a stack of them here and I've run out of Pure Blues).
 

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