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Looking for a balanced tension, smoother round set for 5 string bass

HelpImaRock

HelpImaRock

Jul 1, 2013
5,595
11,147
Capital City
www.fakecanadianisaband.com
#1
I bought an older Squier Jazz 5 and I'm looking at my options for new strings. If you've seen my posts before, I mostly play short scale basses with LaBella LTFs. So I want to keep this one with rounds. It's currently strung with D'Addario XL 45-130. The tension is fine, but they're a little rough. I'd actually like more tension on the E and B strings so I can tune ADADG.

The sets I'm looking at are:
D'Addario NYXL 45-130 - tension is likely to be just as unbalanced as the XL set, but they're a little smoother feeling
Ernie Ball Slinky 45-130 - these will probably have a little more tension on them, but I'm not sure about the B.
Dunlop 45-130 - the only set in this group with an 85 and 105. They tend to be a little lower tension. Don't know about the B.

I'm open to other ideas, but please don't suggest TIs. They cost as much as the bass did. :D

Thanks!

Oh, requisite pic:
IMG_6672.jpeg
 
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#2
HelpImaRock said:
The sets I'm looking at are:
D'Addario NYXL 45-130 - tension is likely to be just as unbalanced as the XL set, but they're a little smoother feeling
Ernie Ball Slinky 45-130 - these will probably have a little more tension on them, but I'm not sure about the B.
Dunlop 45-130 - the only set in this group with an 85 and 105. They tend to be a little lower tension. Don't know about the B.

I'm open to other ideas...
Click to expand...
For smooth-feeling nickel roundwound I like the SIT Power Wound Nickels. They do come in 45-65-85-105-130 and are very reasonably priced. You can even put together your own custom sets from singles for about the same cost as the factory sets.

sitstrings.com

Power Wound Nickel Bass Strings - S.I.T. Strings

The SIT String Company Power Wound nickel bass strings have consistently remained the top choice for bassists worldwide, thanks to their exceptional quality and versatility. With a legacy spanning several decades, these round wound bass strings have earned a well-deserved reputation as the...
sitstrings.com sitstrings.com
 
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#6
Chris Chong said:
off the shelf sets for made for standard tuning. May want to consider buying individual strings for custom tunings.
Click to expand...

You can usually get away with tuning down to D on an E string. But the B strings are so low tension that tuning to A with anything thinner than a railroad tie seems like it won't end well. I'm open to buying a balanced set and adding a 135 as a single, but I'd like to run through my options first.
 
#8
HelpImaRock said:
I bought an older Squier Jazz 5 and I'm looking at my options for new strings. If you've seen my posts before, I mostly play short scale basses with LaBella LTFs. So I want to keep this one with rounds. It's currently strung with D'Addario XL 45-130. The tension is fine, but they're a little rough. I'd actually like more tension on the E and B strings so I can tune ADADG.

The sets I'm looking at are:
D'Addario NYXL 45-130 - tension is likely to be just as unbalanced as the XL set, but they're a little smoother feeling
Ernie Ball Slinky 45-130 - these will probably have a little more tension on them, but I'm not sure about the B.
Dunlop 45-130 - the only set in this group with an 85 and 105. They tend to be a little lower tension. Don't know about the B.

I'm open to other ideas, but please don't suggest TIs. They cost as much as the bass did. :D

Thanks!

Oh, requisite pic:
View attachment 7330119
Click to expand...

Ask Matt @ String by Mail
Custom balance set of NYXL + Tapered 130B .
He always kind and help

1758860499781.png
 
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#10
HelpImaRock said:
I think Dunlop is gonna be my first stop. I started playing them on guitar something like 15 years ago.
Click to expand...
The stainless steel strings have been my go to for years and I really like the consistent great tone. They feel good and for steels they have nice mids and great longevity. I've tried super brights and honestly the original signature series just blow them out of the water.
 
#13
OldManNewBass said:
Labella IMA Super Polished, just give them a good cleaning with rubbing alcohol first...
Click to expand...
HelpImaRock said:
Why, does he play all the strings and get bacon grease on them in the production process?
Click to expand...

Huh, I see you went from fried chicken grease to bacon grease, both tasty choices...! ;^p

They seem to have some residue or whatnot from the manufacturing process that makes them a bit gritty until it is "played off" after a bit, or removed before installation with some rubbing alcohol...
 
#14
Elixir (nickels or ss) are much smoother than most. And last longer.
They sound like week old strings out of the box (less harsh zing), but they stay that way for many months or years depending on how much you play, basically broken in out of the box.
Get 45-105 4 string set and a 130 taper wound (nickel only) or 135 (both ss and nickel) single.
Tension is slightly more than XLs, good for mild downtuning.

Price is half of TIs lol, but they last at least 3 times longer than conventional rounds, so more economical in the long run.

Coating can be felt initially but that feeling goes away after some time.
 
#16
aff said:
Elixir (nickels or ss) are much smoother than most. And last longer.
They sound like week old strings out of the box (less harsh zing), but they stay that way for many months or years depending on how much you play, basically broken in out of the box.
Get 45-105 4 string set and a 130 taper wound (nickel only) or 135 (both ss and nickel) single.
Tension is slightly more than XLs, good for mild downtuning.

Price is half of TIs lol, but they last at least 3 times longer than conventional rounds, so more economical in the long run.

Coating can be felt initially but that feeling goes away after some time.
Click to expand...

I neglected to mention I hate coated strings with the burning intensity of a thousand suns.
 
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#19
“Edit” Sorry OP. I didn’t see your earlier posts about your disdain for coated strings… I can’t stand the coating on DR Black Beauties but Elixirs are QUITE different.


I’m an BIG fan of Ernie Ball Super Slinky 5 string set. However. Absolutely THRILLED with these.
image.jpg
 
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