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NPS String Experimentation
- Thread starter invalidprotocol
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SS but I used them for a while and liked them. This thread started as an exploration of long life NPS strings. Now it's gone off into the weeds for the sake of it, but still sticking with NPS.
My foderas went dead on me and are expensive and hard to find arround here. I have to find a cheaper replacement. 
My foderas went dead on me and are expensive and hard to find arround here. I have to find a cheaper replacement.
They are great strings. What else do you have access to in Spain?
For me foderas are the best I've tried so far. The most common strings arround here are daddario and Ernie ball. I can't stand the feel of Ernie ball and daddario a are ok, but meah.
If D'addario NYXLs make it over there you'd probably find them as a reasonable alternate. They aren't Fodera's but there are some likeable qualities.
Yeah find daddario on every store, not a problem. But are nothing special. And they vibrate a little uncontrolled compared to foderas. And are hex core....I'll try to hold on and buy a set of foderas. Once you tried foderas, there's no turning back.
Still rockin' the GHS Round Core Boomers. They are good strings. Great fundamental and the G string has a bit of a fatter sound than most. They are not super bright but I like the top end character. It is very usable and still hasn't dropped off yet. I think these will last quite a bit of time.
I am experiencing a bit of a problem with the E string on my P bass. It was behaving like it was twisted. I loosed it and straightened it out again but that corrects the issue for only a short period. I then found that when I roll the string in my fingers it feels like the lower end of the wrap is actually loose from the core. I haven't reached out to GHS yet.
I've not experienced any issues with the set on my jazz.
I am experiencing a bit of a problem with the E string on my P bass. It was behaving like it was twisted. I loosed it and straightened it out again but that corrects the issue for only a short period. I then found that when I roll the string in my fingers it feels like the lower end of the wrap is actually loose from the core. I haven't reached out to GHS yet.
I've not experienced any issues with the set on my jazz.
Hey guys, I just dropped a set of Curt Mangan nps 40-60-75-95-125 and I'm really impressed. The tension is lower and vibrate with precision. I think they are round core... I like them more then the foderas for now. Let's see how they go on the long run.
Curt Mangan worked for Ernie Ball strings for almost 20 years so I'm sure he picked up a thing or two and changed a thing or two with his own company.
I don´think I can answer yet…need more time with them. Still like them a lot. Tonewise are close to fodera but they don't seem to have that initial "ping" that accentuated and the harmonics don´t ring that creazy. Very even and controlled sound on the b-string past the 12th fret. If I compare the b strings in the same gauge with fodera I seem to like CM more…it´s more clear up the neck. They do seem to sound a bit scooped but still have enough midrange. Highs are more rounded. The lows seems to sound a little more defined. What I really like about CM is they vibrate accurately and for this reason I could drop the action even more, the strings are so low you have the impression they stay directly on the fb. The slap tone is so great (punchy low with high end crisp)
I could have swore by Fodera as my primary string, but these CM really makes me happy. They are very good priced and can find them easily around here.
Hope it helped.
It does and I appreciate the detail. I was curious since I have a set for this round of experimentation.
The GHS Round Core Boomers have a significant low mid emphasis. This works amazingly well for my P bass fattening the delivery and adding some serious punch. I like the way it sits in the mix.
On my J bass which is already so low mid heavy I end up with a tympanic punch to the point of being overboard and subtlety is difficult to obtain. I blame that on my J but something to keep in mind and consider for your own instruments.
Overall I really like these strings. They have a smooth feel and a nice round core give. There is increased tension in comparison to other round core strings which stabilizes de-tuned notes. Audio profile has emphasis with focus leaning towards the low mids. Even the D string is fat. There is a very tasteful top end that lasts a long time. Life has already ventured beyond all but Fodera at this point but I won't know how it compares to that for a couple of months.
One nit is that the volume of the D string seems slightly louder than the others. I don't know that I would have noticed short of having used Fodera's for a while which are very even.
While I will continue to experiment these may have found a home on my P bass.
One thing I am learning through all of the experimentation is that I prefer to have mid focus at the string rather than a scooped string and dialing it in at the EQ.
On my J bass which is already so low mid heavy I end up with a tympanic punch to the point of being overboard and subtlety is difficult to obtain. I blame that on my J but something to keep in mind and consider for your own instruments.
Overall I really like these strings. They have a smooth feel and a nice round core give. There is increased tension in comparison to other round core strings which stabilizes de-tuned notes. Audio profile has emphasis with focus leaning towards the low mids. Even the D string is fat. There is a very tasteful top end that lasts a long time. Life has already ventured beyond all but Fodera at this point but I won't know how it compares to that for a couple of months.
One nit is that the volume of the D string seems slightly louder than the others. I don't know that I would have noticed short of having used Fodera's for a while which are very even.
While I will continue to experiment these may have found a home on my P bass.
One thing I am learning through all of the experimentation is that I prefer to have mid focus at the string rather than a scooped string and dialing it in at the EQ.
"One thing I am learning through all of the experimentation is that I prefer to have mid focus at the string rather than a scooped string and dialing it in at the EQ."
Amen, my brother...
Just fyi, after much experimentation on my own part, I switched to Fodera nickels (40-60-80-100) around the first of the year and couldn't be happier.
Amen, my brother...
Just fyi, after much experimentation on my own part, I switched to Fodera nickels (40-60-80-100) around the first of the year and couldn't be happier.
I've been wailing on my P bass wearing the GHS Round Core Boomers throughout the week. The top end has dulled a bit. Mids are still pronounced and lows are fat. The poor E string totally gave up though. Almost an envelope filter thing going on.
I have a little down time today and am replacing the strings on both my J and P. I'll be stringing the Curt Mangan's and Galli's for a little USA vs Italy action. The Mangans will be going on the J, Galli's on the P.
I have a little down time today and am replacing the strings on both my J and P. I'll be stringing the Curt Mangan's and Galli's for a little USA vs Italy action. The Mangans will be going on the J, Galli's on the P.
After replacing them both and playing around on each for a little while here are some initial thoughts...
Galli's set me off with a bad initial impression. In subtle ways they remind me of Dean Markley Blue Steel NPS but unfortunately they scream generic and poor quality. Immediate decay in the attack and a bit of dullness overall. Harmonics are only so so. They feel REALLY GOOD and have a good amount of flexibility for a common hex core NPS but that can't save them. Inherent mid scoop and the abrupt decay leans them towards slap but the dull finish is a bad combo for longevity. The dullness also hurts pick attack which just kills me on a P bass. Ferrari red silks do not result in a Ferrari string.
Curt Mangan's leave a good initial impression. Feel is similar to Fodera, tension is also in the same realm and they behave well under the fingers. There is a little bit of mid scoop but the low mids are present and punchy. Top end is warmer and not too zingy, harmonics are ok but leave me wanting a little. Overall voicing is nice and they seem to work well for a jazz.
Galli's set me off with a bad initial impression. In subtle ways they remind me of Dean Markley Blue Steel NPS but unfortunately they scream generic and poor quality. Immediate decay in the attack and a bit of dullness overall. Harmonics are only so so. They feel REALLY GOOD and have a good amount of flexibility for a common hex core NPS but that can't save them. Inherent mid scoop and the abrupt decay leans them towards slap but the dull finish is a bad combo for longevity. The dullness also hurts pick attack which just kills me on a P bass. Ferrari red silks do not result in a Ferrari string.
Curt Mangan's leave a good initial impression. Feel is similar to Fodera, tension is also in the same realm and they behave well under the fingers. There is a little bit of mid scoop but the low mids are present and punchy. Top end is warmer and not too zingy, harmonics are ok but leave me wanting a little. Overall voicing is nice and they seem to work well for a jazz.
