I never was one to think much about strings. I started with DR (Stainless Steel rounds, but don't know which ones - probably Hi-Beams from the look of the package) and then Sadowsky black labels. That was about 10 years ago though, and my teacher was able to get those cheaper, so I never questioned that a lot. I always used 45-65-85-105 sets.
After that, I bought a MM Bongo, and strung it with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkies Stainless Steels. I played that for years, until I bought a Gibson Ripper which I want to string through the body, and until I discovered BSO, and that I could buy strings there for more than half the price than locally... but Ernie Ball can't be purchased outside of the country due to dealing policies. Bummer.
As you see all those strings are hex cores, so I am looking for hex core strings. I also discovered that a 110 E string was so much better for drop-tuning to D. So I am now playing 45-65-85-110. I play rather aggressively with a pick, often playing "chords" on the D and G strings
So, looking for long enough strings to string through the b0dy, I tried:
- DR Lo-Riders (45-65-85-110): hated them. Played them 3 weeks, I really disliked them. Definitely not stiff enough for me compared to Ernie Ball. It really felt like they were slowing my playing down.
- Ken Smith Stainless Steel Roundwounds (45-65-85-110): I liked them. But I don't think I loved them. They felt definitely much better in my hands than the Lo-Riders. But it isn't what I love either. A bit too "neutral" sounding maybe? At least they were stiffer than the Lo-Riders, but I think still a little less than the Ernie Ball. OTOH, it has now been so long that I played EBs that I am not sure either. And also the purple-pink silk wrap is definitely NOT rock-n-roll at all!
- La Bella Steels (45-65-85-110): My favorite ones from the 3 from a playing point of view. However, they seem more darker sounding, especially the G string. I have had them on for about a week. They're fine when playing with a pick, but finger-style the G is really a bit weak and less bright than expected. I haven't tried re-EQing properly since changing to those though, and they haven't settled in yet.
So, soundwise I think for now I did prefer the Ken Smith but the playability (and looks
) is putting me a bit off compared to the playability of the La Bellas. Another advantage from the KS is that those gauges are always in stock, whereas the La Bellas need to be custom ordered which takes several weeks.
Any opinions out there regarding those, stiffness, etc?
Things I might try next:
D'Addario Pro Steels (available in super long scale and 45-65-85-110)
GHS Super Steels (in 44-63-84-106); according to GHS they have bigger cores than other strings, so the 106 might do it for me in drop D.
Would using a higher gauge G string on the La Bella set change anything to it soundwise? Maybe this is just the problem. I have no idea about this though.
Suggestions welcome! And sorry for a post much longer than originally intended..
After that, I bought a MM Bongo, and strung it with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkies Stainless Steels. I played that for years, until I bought a Gibson Ripper which I want to string through the body, and until I discovered BSO, and that I could buy strings there for more than half the price than locally... but Ernie Ball can't be purchased outside of the country due to dealing policies. Bummer.
As you see all those strings are hex cores, so I am looking for hex core strings. I also discovered that a 110 E string was so much better for drop-tuning to D. So I am now playing 45-65-85-110. I play rather aggressively with a pick, often playing "chords" on the D and G strings
So, looking for long enough strings to string through the b0dy, I tried:
- DR Lo-Riders (45-65-85-110): hated them. Played them 3 weeks, I really disliked them. Definitely not stiff enough for me compared to Ernie Ball. It really felt like they were slowing my playing down.
- Ken Smith Stainless Steel Roundwounds (45-65-85-110): I liked them. But I don't think I loved them. They felt definitely much better in my hands than the Lo-Riders. But it isn't what I love either. A bit too "neutral" sounding maybe? At least they were stiffer than the Lo-Riders, but I think still a little less than the Ernie Ball. OTOH, it has now been so long that I played EBs that I am not sure either. And also the purple-pink silk wrap is definitely NOT rock-n-roll at all!
- La Bella Steels (45-65-85-110): My favorite ones from the 3 from a playing point of view. However, they seem more darker sounding, especially the G string. I have had them on for about a week. They're fine when playing with a pick, but finger-style the G is really a bit weak and less bright than expected. I haven't tried re-EQing properly since changing to those though, and they haven't settled in yet.
So, soundwise I think for now I did prefer the Ken Smith but the playability (and looks
) is putting me a bit off compared to the playability of the La Bellas. Another advantage from the KS is that those gauges are always in stock, whereas the La Bellas need to be custom ordered which takes several weeks.Any opinions out there regarding those, stiffness, etc?
Things I might try next:
D'Addario Pro Steels (available in super long scale and 45-65-85-110)
GHS Super Steels (in 44-63-84-106); according to GHS they have bigger cores than other strings, so the 106 might do it for me in drop D.
Would using a higher gauge G string on the La Bella set change anything to it soundwise? Maybe this is just the problem. I have no idea about this though.
Suggestions welcome! And sorry for a post much longer than originally intended..
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THere are the GHS Progressives. They are a stiff feeling string. Not sure about a 110 E. They feel smooth have a really nice even tone. They do have purple silk, but hey who will notice besides you.
