If I like D'Addario XLs, what will I REALLY like?

[JimmyM]

D'addarios are awesome. I say why change if you're happy? I've tried a lot of strings and always went back to D'addarios.

 

[two fingers]

Slinkys, nickel lo riders, dunlop nickels, and XLs are very similar to me but each have a slightly different vibe. Id try all of those and settle in with what you like best. Could also try sadowsy and fender nickels, those are more distinct from the others. There really is no better in this range, just different.

Funny thing. I used Slinkys for years. I'm not a string snob at all. Whatever is on the shelf is what I grabbed (and in most places, that's Slinkys). But when I got my bass (Fender Roscoe Beck Signature V) I put a fresh set on, and it was terrible. I can't explain it. I almost sold the bass before I even got used to it thinking the problem was the bass. Tried another set of Slinkys. Horrible. And then as a last ditch effort I slapped a set of XLs on it and it came to life. I have played (and liked) Slinkys on a dozen basses with no problems. But for whatever reason, they don't get along with those pickups. But I hadn't thought about Fender nickels either.

 

[two fingers]

D'addarios are awesome. I say why change if you're happy? I've tried a lot of strings and always went back to D'addarios.

The same reason I haven't owned a rig for more then 3 or 4 years in the last couple of decades. I just like trying stuff out. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. I'll probably come running home as well. But it's something cheap I can try just for fun. My last few purchases have been a bass, a V4, a 70's B40 cab, a GB Shuttle, a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15" stack in custom shop color, a couple of mics, and a couple of nice DIs. I gotta go with some less expensive experiments for a while. I ain't broke. But I mainly do fill-ins these days while I am back in school. It's hard to justify (even to myself) more big gear purchases. So I think a "string journey" will hold me over for a little while......... (hopefully).

 

[pickles]

Ive found each bass prefers a specific set of nickels.

 

[Gibbsalot]

Dunlops! and not the belly kind either

 

[JimmyM]

The same reason I haven't owned a rig for more then 3 or 4 years in the last couple of decades. I just like trying stuff out. I'm sure you know exactly what I mean. I'll probably come running home as well. But it's something cheap I can try just for fun. My last few purchases have been a bass, a V4, a 70's B40 cab, a GB Shuttle, a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15" stack in custom shop color, a couple of mics, and a couple of nice DIs. I gotta go with some less expensive experiments for a while. I ain't broke. But I mainly do fill-ins these days while I am back in school. It's hard to justify (even to myself) more big gear purchases. So I think a "string journey" will hold me over for a little while......... (hopefully).

Cheaper than amps or basses, I suppose

 

[two fingers]

Cheaper than amps or basses, I suppose

Eeeeeeeeeeeexactly. This will be a cheap way to try some different things. If I buy an amp and hate it when I get it home, I'm pissed. If I buy some strings and hate them, I chunk them in the trash and go get another set. No biggie.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Try DR's. Sunbeams or Nickel Lo Riders. Sunbeams a little lower tension but both have great sound and feel.

D'Addario EXLs are my favorite string as well, but sometimes I'll also get a wild hair to try something else. I tried the DR Lo Riders on my Jazz V and hated them. They were too honky in the midrange and I just couldn't dial in a sound I liked. Back to EXLs. I've also tried EB Slinky, SIT Power Wound, Dunlop nickels, Elixirs, Fender 8250's and a set of Dean Markley. I always come back to the EXL's though. Next time I get a the itch to try something different, I'm probably going to try www.nakedstrings.com. I'm a little worried about longevity, but for $35 for three 6-string sets, I'll probably bite just to see.

Being a D'Addario fan like me, you'd probably like the SITs and/or the Dunlops. Those were the only other sets that have impressed me so far. But like others have said... If it ain't broke, why fix it?

5sg.

 

[two fingers]

But like others have said... If it ain't broke, why fix it?

5sg.

Cuz if I don't buy strings, I'll go out and buy another stinking amp or bass!

Thanks for your input though.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Yeah, I read your reasoning after I posted. Lol I went through a pick phase a while back. Tried like 34 different weights, materials, etc, so I can understand strings vs. amps and basses.

5sg.

 

[madbassplaya]

I've been on a D'Addario hiatus for a while now but I recently tried their balanced tension sets and have really enjoyed them!

 

[Joe Louvar]

I've played D'Addario XLs for many years. From time to time I have tried DR and other brands but always go back to the XLs.

+1 ^^^ me too. I use EXL170s.

 

[groovaholic]

The last set I got felt like the G and A were normal, the D was a lot stiffer than the rest and the E was a noodle.

Yup - if you read the string tensions, you are observing exactly the differences that got me away from prepackaged sets several years ago.

The typical 45-65-85-105 sets had ~40 lbs of tension on the G and A, ~55 lbs on the D, and ~35 on the E.

So, I'm REALLY anxious to see the balanced tension sets become the norm -- they play a lot better and I have to wonder if the even tension won't be easier on necks too...