Optima 24k gold

[Tpi]

There are some mentions of these strings strewn across several threads, but no single thread devoted to the topic that my search revealed.

Well, I bought a set for the aesthetic match to my SR4-EGL. The bass is going to the shop tomorrow with its current DR Black Beauties for a setup. The new strings will be here by the time my bass comes back next week.

From my research, the premise seems to be the Optimas have bright highs, mid-warms, carry a heavy low with good sustain and increased lifespan.

There are a number of so-so videos out there of the Optimas alone and compared, but the following video of a guitarist that covers a half dozen string comparison shows off all the strings very well and can be translated into the bass string equivalent

Id' say skip to 5:30 of this 8:30 min video for the actual sound tests.



Optima sounds the best to me overall after the DRs. But I guess it depends on personal tone one is going for as well. There is a place for tingly brights to muddy flats and all sorts of tonal preferences in this wonderful wide world of ours.

How do folks here like their Optimas? 4 or 5 string? Light or heavy gauge?
Thanks!

 

[tom-g]

So how do you like them?

 

[Tpi]

My bass is ready at the shop but I can't get it until tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I'm gonna try the Optima 24K Golds on my Rickenbacker. Sounds like it would be a good match. These would likely sound damn good on a P/J equipped bass, too.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I love Optima Chromes flatwounds but I didn't like the 24k Gold roundwounds AT ALL. In my opinion they were too stiff/unarticulate. The tone was also too bright in the extreme highs for my taste ("zing") but still lacking clarity in the upper mids. They somehow managed to be too bright and lacking in clarity at the same time. One of the worst roundwounds I've ever played, for MY taste. Quite a disappointment after the lovely Optima Chromes.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I added some Optima 24k rounds to my Rickenbacker. Agree with previous post... strings are stiff, but that doesn't bother me, since I'm used to playing with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats which are stiffer than most rounds. They sound a lot like Dunlop Super Bright Stainless Steel and Ernie Ball Slinky roundwounds. Same growl and zing.

 

[Tpi]

July 13 was my last post. There's another thread detailing problems encountered with the new bass these strings are going on, so my set of strings will be sitting weeks to months while the warranty is honored and my bass made whole. While I have other basses around, I only want to sling these $60 strings once on their final bass. My experience with them will have to wait.

That gold Rick is gorgeous with the strings!