After Many Many years. I tried a P-Bass(G&L LB-100) and then stuck some TI JF344's on it. It is by far the best experience to date for me. They also sound fantastic on my Ric 4003 but I felt they were a bit floppy. Now I have removed the Chrome cover so I will be trying them again and Picking closer to the Bridge.
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Most positive string surprise ever - whats yours?
- Thread starter KF2B
- Start date
Several basses. Both E and A strings. Happened on 4 and 5 string basses. I would put on a set of Slinky Lights (which is what I used back then) and get several weeks worth of 3 or 4 gigs per week out of them. First or second set into the Mangan strings and *pop*. It happened half a dozen times at least before I gave up. And they sounded fine. Just couldn't trust them.
Thank you. I have the Light set, and I'm not a working musician now, so maybe I will fare better. I appreciate the heads up.
Thrice I've been pleasantly surprised by strings:
1. Chromes, specifically on my P-Bass. I was surprised because I'd used them before on a couple of fretless basses, but didn't like them. Turns out I prefer the sound of a round on fretless, but the sound of a flat on a fretted. Go figure. I keep flats on my P-Bass and my Yamaha TRB-5ii.
2. Dean Markley Blue Steels. The strings never seemed to dull down. I was especially happy because I have an allergy-like reaction to Nickel-wound strings (makes my eyes itch and my skin turn red). I've had the same set on my Daion Powermark XX-B for over six years, and they still sound fantastic.
3. DR's accoustic guitar strings. The only brand I'll ever buy for my acoustic...when I have the money/time to change strings every three weeks. Sadly, as much as I love a fresh set of these, I can't keep restringing the Larrivee that often, so I keep a set of coated strings on there until I want to record something.
1. Chromes, specifically on my P-Bass. I was surprised because I'd used them before on a couple of fretless basses, but didn't like them. Turns out I prefer the sound of a round on fretless, but the sound of a flat on a fretted. Go figure. I keep flats on my P-Bass and my Yamaha TRB-5ii.
2. Dean Markley Blue Steels. The strings never seemed to dull down. I was especially happy because I have an allergy-like reaction to Nickel-wound strings (makes my eyes itch and my skin turn red). I've had the same set on my Daion Powermark XX-B for over six years, and they still sound fantastic.
3. DR's accoustic guitar strings. The only brand I'll ever buy for my acoustic...when I have the money/time to change strings every three weeks. Sadly, as much as I love a fresh set of these, I can't keep restringing the Larrivee that often, so I keep a set of coated strings on there until I want to record something.
For me it's D'Addario nylons. Initially, I didn't like them. I was used to higher tension rounds with a little fret grip and found I was gently bending notes with the much softer and smoother nylons. I adapted and now I absolutely love them.
D'addario nickels .. I keep coming back .. Time after time. Love them broken too. A great versatile multipurpose string at a great price. I always think I need this and that.... But after the first week I'm back.
For me there are two string sets that became "lightbulb moment" sets. The first was GHS P Flats. I first discovered them back in 1996 after buying my first fretless, a new Fender P Bass. I loved the sound and feel of them immediately and they fit the styles I played.
The next "lightbulb" set that was the Fender 9120 nylon strings. They had a lighter tension than the brand I was playing at the time and sounded delicious on my ABG. Interestingly, I love them on fretless basses but can't stand them on fretteds. I currently use them on my Carvin AC40 fretless. I'd love to have a 5 string set for my 5 string fretless, but since they don't I use a 5 string set of GHS tapes, and they are pretty good.
To a lesser degree, I used the original Fender 7250s (Mexican made) on most my basses while they were being made, and lamented the day when they switched manufacturers. The new American made ones sound okay but a little thinner and not so long lasting. Still miss the originals. I now use GHS Pressurewounds in their place, which are uber cool.
The next "lightbulb" set that was the Fender 9120 nylon strings. They had a lighter tension than the brand I was playing at the time and sounded delicious on my ABG. Interestingly, I love them on fretless basses but can't stand them on fretteds. I currently use them on my Carvin AC40 fretless. I'd love to have a 5 string set for my 5 string fretless, but since they don't I use a 5 string set of GHS tapes, and they are pretty good.
To a lesser degree, I used the original Fender 7250s (Mexican made) on most my basses while they were being made, and lamented the day when they switched manufacturers. The new American made ones sound okay but a little thinner and not so long lasting. Still miss the originals. I now use GHS Pressurewounds in their place, which are uber cool.
Most recently, I'd probably say the EB Cobalt Flats. I Had a bad experience with the regular Cobalts back when they first came out and I wasn't expecting much from the new flats but they are great. I love the feel and tone. Time will tell on the long-term playability...
Rotosound Nickel Swingbass 66.
These are over 8 months old and still have some clank on the abused E string. Having a Ric probably doesn't hurt. (Or a B3K)
And they are way smoother than the S.S. version.
Dropbox - 81415.mp3
These are over 8 months old and still have some clank on the abused E string. Having a Ric probably doesn't hurt. (Or a B3K)
And they are way smoother than the S.S. version.
Dropbox - 81415.mp3
How amazingly deep, woody, and LOUD this old Korean Rogue VB-100 is, with 65-115 Roto 88 tapes on it. They turned this old thing into a monster...
DR Sunbeams. Really warm and has nice tension for the finger (45-105). I have tried many nickel brands but these have something extra. They remind me of the old fender nickels ( before d'addario came in).
So now i have 2 go-to strings, XLs and the Sunbeams.
So now i have 2 go-to strings, XLs and the Sunbeams.
Dunlop SuperBrights of course! Was totally shocked by the crispness and clarity of these, especially after using the regular Dunlops a few times. I've never used a more musical sounding string, so thankful I tried them. Every one of my basses wears them now. Normal strings are boring an uninspiring to me now
Thanks mmbongo for spreading the word about these awesome stings.
My most positive strings surprise ever was probably when I tried D'Addario tapewounds. Almost a tie between those and light gauge Rotosound 66s, at least when I put them on my Jazz. I never expected to like either of those strings.
It's GHS'so Pressure Wound's for me. I actually got them on accident to start with. I had intended to get Precision Flats for my Jazz because is was going to trade it to my sister for my old Dano back. She only plays on flats but really didn't have a brand preference, so I intended to put the PF's on it. Apparently, I wasn't paying attention to what I was putting in my cart. When I got the strings in, I was really disappointed because I got the Pressure Wounds in. I actually thought it was a shipping error, but I checked online, and sure enough, it was my mistake. But I strung the Jazz with it anyway and plugged it in. I immediately loved them. They had the right tone, right feel....everything I needed and wanted in a string. I've since ordered a set for all my basses, except the Jazz, which as irony would have it, I currently have the Precision Flats on.
Pyramid Gold pure nickel flats... (the so called dead E is how they are supposed to sound) but after breaking several of my custom G and D strings the hassle and cost wore me down.
Did you crimp them before installing? Pyramid strings MUST be crimped or they'll die and give the user headaches.
Sadowsky Black Label Flats on my P-bass. I went through A LOT of flats and ended up disappointed. When I tried these, they ticked almost all the boxes in my criteria. I love how they feel, sound great whether I'm playing with fingers or a pick, and with my rig, they cut through when playing live. I had to adjust my amp settings slightly (as well as on my B7K), but they sound great with my band. I didn't think they would work out since I play in a crust (punk) band and run distortion/overdrive pedals, but when you really dig into them, they're bright enough to give me the sound I need!
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't classify them as "bright" strings, but they're not as deep/bassy as LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats. They certainly work for motown/reggae, but if you have a hard pick attack and the right settings, they'll certainly give you some growl!
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't classify them as "bright" strings, but they're not as deep/bassy as LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats. They certainly work for motown/reggae, but if you have a hard pick attack and the right settings, they'll certainly give you some growl!
As it stands, these are my number one strings. I love everything about them. The only problem I had was when I had a real long band practice, they started to get rough on my index finger. That specific band had songs with fast parts that utilize slides. Still didn't bother me as much as Rotosounds. Those can be a disaster if playing that style of music.
