New Markbass Strings?

[Snibborwocky]

So first off, I get it. You have to sell the new product somehow but after watching this about a quarter of the way through, it already seemed like a way over-done marketing video for bass strings. Maybe it's just me at my age but, this video was really hard to sit through all the way through and be taken seriously. Markbass is a good company, Jeff Berlin is a great bassist and MB endorser for years now but, was an (almost 11 minute) explanation and demo really needed for these? I'm pretty sure they've been making bass strings for years now so is it because they haven't sold very well in the past? I'm genuinely curious if anyone watched this entire video and actually got a spark of excitement needing to try these strings.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I skipped through large chunks, even as a JB fan. Also, I will never sound like Jeff, no matter the bass or the strings.

 

[tindrum]

I made it about 3/4 through and tapped out. I’m sure they are fine enough strings but I’m not seeing or hearing anything there that is unique regardless of Jeff’s hyperbole. Maybe I’m pessimistic but a guy who’s had that many signature basses saying he only endorses gear that speaks to him blah, blah, blah just makes me cringe a little.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Jeff's remarks could have convinced me to own his signature MB Combo too, until I saw one IRL. "You expect me to carry that?" Personally hauling gear has not been one of Jeff's worries for a long time, I suspect. I am willing to believe Jeff changes his own strings.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Not a review found for these, yet (anywhere that I could see).

So, here is one:
Markbass Energy - Round Wound Stainless Steel

Try these for yourself, but just absolutely perfect imo. Tension is Med+. Punchy, slightly boomy lows--slightly dark. Mids sit perfectly transitioned between the lows and highs... also slightly brighter in the highs, but not too bright. A little smoother on the touch, than say, High Beams. Very little, if no clank on the frets, with a slightly raised action.

Not sure if it gets any better, for a roundwound. These remind me of the first time installing Dogal Flats on my Jazz bass----I played it for a few songs, unplugged, turned everything off--- sat down, in my chair, quietly (in total amazement & satisfaction) for a few minutes----then...made a gin cocktail. It is the same feeling today.

Tested on Fender Amer. Pro II Precision bass.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

My G String often gets tightly wound... even more so if I'm wearing it backwards...
However, I digress.... well actually Jeff does..

 

[maturanesa]

Jeff always use that soapbar just a militer from the bridge, any string he puts on that Dean would sound about the same... They sound clear and lots of highs anyway..seems to be good ..

 

[Zarniwoop]

Unfortunately i have very bad experience with those. First i bought Balanced and at half of the first gig low B and E started to sound dull and almost without any sustain. I had few backup EB slinky sets because i was at the start of the summer tour last year and putted them immediately after the gig on my main bass, and they lasted till the end of the summer, 15-20 gigs without any problem.

I sent MarkBass email next morning with the explanation and proof of bad sounded strings, and they reaction was surprisingly polite, they sent me 5 new sets all of them was different labels (Balanced, Energy, LongEvo, Groove, Ultimate) but with my favourite gauge and it took only few days until they arrived because they sent them me with DHL. Anyway, one year after i tried all of them i can say that 2 out of 5 worked well, and it was Groove and Energy. Other ones had that same problem i had with first set except Ultimate where only low B was gone dead same day i installed it.

Just to mention that i play bass since 1992. and i'm pretty familiar with restringing and basic guitar setup, every time i put new strings i use crimp and cut method. And most important thing is as i mentioned before, i tried other brands like EB, DR, RS, DA and every single one of them is working flawlessly. Of course that they also lost crisp and clear sound after some time, depending on numbers of gigs and rehearsals i have. I play Fender jazz, Fernandes APB and Esh basses, and never had any similar problem with any other brand besides Mark Strings.

That's too bad, because i really like the sound and feel that i got from those two sets (groove and energy) that worked for me. I might give them another chance someday, especially because they were way beyond nice for sending me all their string models to check after first fail, but for now i'll stick to more reliable manufacturer.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I firmly believe, you cannot put any string on any bass. The bass chooses the string.

Been using a bunch of the Markbass strings. The regular energy stainless rounds, sound great on my P bass. I tried the soft touch Markbass stainless, but the D had a weird sound--so, they came off and have been sticking with the Energy stainless--they work, end of that story.

On my Jazz fretless, I just put on the 45-105 Markbass vintage flats. They work. I like them and coming from Dogal flats, they are very similar. They will stay on a while, i think.

I won't bother with any of the other Markbass offerings---nickel, coated etc.

 

[Zarniwoop]

That could be the reason, but as i said before, it happened only with MB strings, never in my life had any issue with other brands. I'm more than happy with other equipment from MarkBass, been using their amps, straps, cables for years, and never have any reason to complain.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

That could be the reason, but as i said before, it happened only with MB strings, never in my life had any issue with other brands. I'm more than happy with other equipment from MarkBass, been using their amps, straps, cables for years, and never have any reason to complain.

I agree on the inconsistency. Stick with what works. I am in the process of returning the advanced soft touch strings for a refund etc.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

I strung my P with a set of Balanced "studio tuned strings" (045/105) about two months ago to track a few parts.

They do sound balanced and ready (slightly worn in) from the get go, not overly bright. Good for recording.

They also seem to get duller quite soon compared to other brands, but there might be other factors involved and so far I haven't double checked with another set. Almost like Rotosound (to me, they have a short lifespan), although they are way smoother and warmer when fresh.

 

[GTHintz]

Interesting thread. I have a set of energy stainless steels I'm going to be trying out. I've already tried a couple other new strings and haven't found anything that I'm satisfied with but I'll definitely be posting when I try them.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

Just curious: how much is a set of MB in the US, roughly speaking? Here it's a domestic product and I paid €25 (retail, local store) for the aforementioned 4-string set. The current € to $ exchange rate is roughly on par, technically speaking.

 

[GTHintz]

I paid about 30$ for the 5 string set of energy series. They were advertised at 35$ but they threw me a nice discount. I bought it on eBay. Don't remember the seller

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I paid about 30$ for the 5 string set of energy series. They were advertised at 35$ but they threw me a nice discount. I bought it on eBay. Don't remember the seller

Musicians Friend and Music And Arts will throw you offers on ebay, if you stick stuff in your cart.

 

[Mete Efe]

I had the same problem as @Zarniwoop. Bought two sets in February because they were on a discount and I like to try new stuff, experiment with strings and the balanced ones seemed interesting. Put the first ones is May. Great balanced sound, they were a bit tighter but there were all the frequencies you needed. I was really enjoying them until one day the E suddenly started sounding dead. No harmonics, no sustian, all rubber band sounds. Thought it was my mistake and something got between the windinds as I was working on the neck.

I used Rotosounds for 2 months and decided to give the other set a go and these did not even last a single day. Put the strings around noon, enjoyed the zingy new string sound. It was around 10 pm when I gave a break from playing and came back to pick up the bass the E was dead again. I double checked every contact point, made the sure there was clear break angles and both of the sets were installed with a kink to prevent core slippage. I gave the sets an ultrasonic IPA bath to make sure nothing got stuck between the windings but that didn't help. It feels like a layer of winding or the core slipping because there would be no other explanation for such quick changes in sound.

I played with Dunlops, NYXL's and Rotosounds mostly and with some other brands as well and something like this didn't happen. Markbass themselves hold a special return policy for these sets. Altough I filled the form, there was no reply probably because it wasn't within 3 months of purchase. I guess it was two sets, their money and the joy of new strings gone for nothing.

 

[chadhargis]

I firmly believe, you cannot put any string on any bass. The bass chooses the string.

Correct!

I have basses that are naturally dark, or naturally bright. You can hear it when you play them unplugged. I have one particularly bright bass that sounds fantastic with flats on it. I have a darker bass that sounds great with stainless steel strings.

My go to string has been StringJoy for a number of years. They sound great on most of my basses, but a few of them have particular strings I've found that sound great on them.