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"Inexpensive" strings

#41
Curt Mangan and Stringjoy here in Nashville are smaller manufacturers that I believe also have their own string winding machines.

I don't think string making is necessarily rocket surgery black magic wielded only by 2 or 3 evil monopolies ersumjunk.

I DO think there ARE real differences based on engineering, construction, and choice of alloys, etc. While I'm sure there may be some strings that are the same/identical product in different packages, in my experience I don't think it's as common as some might think it is.
 
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#43
FretlessOwl said:
So I decided to see what $14 bass strings were like, and I ordered Warwick Red Labels. With that name, how bad could they be? Well..... they're the roughest-feeling nickels I've ever played, and check out the windings. There was no mention of scale length anywhere. Have you guys seen this before? Is this just what happens when you spend $14 on strings?
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If you check different music houses on the web, you can find much higher quality for just a little more money. I recently bought a set of Dunlop bass strings for $19.00 on sale for example. Enjoy the day!
 
#44
Price of nickel jumped over 100% last week. Steel price is always rising… but these things only happen because the dollar - all currencies - are constantly devalued. That’s only accelerating, so stock up at today’s prices IMO.

Webstrings are $11-$12 / 4-string set.

ELECTRIC BASS

Used them long ago and quite liked them, esp. for the price!

Started a thread about their recent revamp. If anyone this them, please share your opinion. Webstrings 2020
 
#45
FretlessOwl said:
So I decided to see what $14 bass strings were like, and I ordered Warwick Red Labels. With that name, how bad could they be? Well..... they're the roughest-feeling nickels I've ever played, and check out the windings. There was no mention of scale length anywhere. Have you guys seen this before? Is this just what happens when you spend $14 on strings?
Click to expand...

I used to use Warwick red labels when I was a broke-ass college student. They're zingy, lasted a decent amount of time, and were cheap. Not my first choice but a perfectly fine one in the face of financial constraints.
 
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#46
I do notice differences between strings that are of similar specs (type, sizes, and materials) from different brands. I suspect there are some design and manufacturing differences (e.g. winding speed and/or thermal treatments after winding) that might account for that as well as the consistency/quality of the materials/alloys.
 
#47
sotua said:
I used to use Warwick red labels when I was a broke-ass college student. They're zingy, lasted a decent amount of time, and were cheap. Not my first choice but a perfectly fine one in the face of financial constraints.
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Started with Red Labels around 2004-2005, at that time they were pretty inexpensive compared to D'addario and others. It took me a little while to get used with the touch ( supposed to be a common thing regarding SS strings ), but later I started to enjoy the tone, longevity and that "zing" turned out to a more balanced tone closer to a nickel string.

I've played them for around a decade, then I switched to SS offerings from D'addario, Dunlop, Dean Markley and others, and more recently I discovered the DR's ( Hi-Beams, Fat-Beams ) and also returned to the nickel side ( GHS, Darco, and others ).

I would take the Red Labels path again without any questions, especially if they're keeping prices cheaper than competition.
 
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