Popular Strings You’ve Never Tried

[icefly]

DR
Elixir
Ernie Ball
Thomastik Infeld
Fender (just ordered set of flats, waiting delivery)

 

[JACKSON JS1XM]

Dunlop short scale strings fit 28.6” and while their flatwounds can get somewhat pricey their roundwounds are generally inexpensive, though that may vary around the world.

They're just unaffordable really. For Sweetwater to discount the strings from $ 49 & change = > $ 19.99, even at their own website they're $ 34.49. They need to revisit their pricing strategy, really surprises me they can sell strings to anyone for those prices. Stringjoy is another string brand that's just out of touch with the consumer. I don't have $ 35-50 to try them even once, And the $ 19.99 sale, like I said, D'Addario & Ernie Ball are that price all day every day, to get a $ 4 sale, it's just a no brainer. If Musician's Gear $ 11, 5 string sets fit a 4 string 28.6 scale bass, I'd buy those, accumulate the 130 strings and resell those on ebay as singles. I did find MG's on ebay for 4 string bass, probably longer scale though, they seem to be un-search-ably discontinued at MF's (Musician's Friend). Another option is Silvertone bass strings, those are $ 9.99 at Amazon.

 

[jamro217]

I never felt a need to explore different strings once I found what I was looking for. If there are competing items from different manufacturers that are similar, I wouldn't mind trying them, but once the need is sufficiently filled, I'd rather spend my time and energy elsewhere. Like here, irritating people who disagree with my opinions.

 

[roller]

It would be fun for all us TB'ers to do an extended blind test (sound and feel only... say for a month) with all the brands/models listed in this thread to see what our true, unbiased thoughts would be.

Wonder if we'd still loathe certain strings... or if we'd discover some new favorites???

TalkBass seems to loathe Slinkies and love DRs, and I feel precisely the opposite. Slinkies are my “default” strings, and while I usually have something else on at least a few instruments at any time, I generally end up going back to Slinkies. @michael_t I didn’t care for the stainless steel Slinkies either, but I think that just comes down to my strong distaste for the feel of steel roundwounds generally (again, quite possibly a neurodivergent thing).

 

[jamro217]

It would be fun for all us TB'ers to do an extended blind test (sound and feel only... say for a month) with all the brands/models listed in this thread to see what our true, unbiased thoughts would be.

Wonder if we'd still loathe certain strings... or if we'd discover some new favorites???

Maybe in retirement (if it will be affordable then).

 

[roller]

TI Jazz Flats will ruin you for trying any other flatwound string... they're that awesome.

i have yet to try flats...... i know, i know!......But i love my rotosound66

 

[/\/\3phist0]

After trying a set of D’Adderio XL’s for the first time in well over a decade and seeing another thread on Roto’s, got me thinking. What common stalwart brand of strings have you never tried? For me it’s rotosound, I’ve never bought a set and to my knowledge, never played a bass with a set on them. I’ve always wanted to try them, but fear they maybe overly stiff.

Optima gold

 

[jamro217]

I agree with Low8 on TIs spoiling you for flats. Pricey, but you only have to buy them once. They last a looooooooong time.

 

[Element Zero]

I’ve never purchased Fender or Rotosound strings though I know I’ve played basses with them on. Pretty much all of the common brands I’ve spend some coin on. I’ve wanted to try MTD strings and Kalium for awhile now, but I’m pretty happy with Elixirs on one and Power Slinkies on another so we’ll see.

FYI, if any of you haven’t tried Fodera strings, I HIGHLY recommend them.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Ernie Ball. Not sure why; I just have this perception in my head that garden variety Slinkys must be on par with garden variety D’Addario XLs, and D’Addario XLs I consider minimally acceptable. So why would I go out of my way to try Slinkys?

I should probably stop being so closed minded….

Never liked slinky, all spank no meat.
Now Cobalt on the other hand.. those are something different (flat and round)
Just got my first set of Rotos. Meh.

 

[GreyBeard]

The only strings I've ever used are Ernie Ball, D'Addario, and RotoSound so pretty much everything else.

 

[Bobbadfinger]

Boomers. Oddly enough it's probably the most available set down here.
Although i dislike roundwounds, wouldn't mind to try them, being a dark/die in minutes string (as i heard).
Besides I love GHS consistency, and how Pressurewounds and Precision flats sound great right of the package. (can't stand strings that takes "months" to have acceptable tone)

 

[MIMike]

Ernie Ball..never used any of their strings before. Technically I’ve used TI’s as I have Spirocore’s on my upright, but never had a set of Jazz Flats before. Someday maybe….when my Precision flats wear out on my P-Bass.

 

[r_bnks]

I have only tried one set of Labella Rx stainless and a set of Spector strigs. I'm only using Rotosound Swingbass66 stainless rounds ever since I started playing.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

DR. I’ve tried, and really liked, their guitar strings. I just change my bass strings so rarely that I never take chances on brands/sets that I haven’t already tried and liked.

 

[SoulReflection]

The only strings I have ever needed are LB DTF's because they are used in the only music I play. No need to mess with perfection !

 

[J Wilson]

Over time I've tried everything from Black Diamonds (a shame I can't buy them at the drug store anymore, but they were better than I thought they'd be) to T-I's (oh great, strings that wear out just as fast but cost as much as a good dinner at a nice restaurant), and I'm through test-driving strings.

The only thing I'm sure of is I'd rather pay less for strings and change them more often. Nickel-Rounds are my 3 Bears choice, just right for me, and GHS Bassics, D'Ad XL's, or Fender 8250's are on the list, with the Bassics my first choice. If they don't last that long, cheap to replace.

That I like.

 

[bwildt]

I agree with Low8 on TIs spoiling you for flats. Pricey, but you only have to buy them once. They last a looooooooong time.

I have TI flats on a majority of my basses. One set is 21 years old. They still sound great and intonate just fine. I've pretty much settled in on TI for flats and DR Stainless LoRiders for rounds. I like both and they both are long-lasting. Since I don't have the need to change strings very often, it gets a little harder to experiment with other strings.

 

[legalbass]

In fifteen years of playing bass, I’ve played RotoSound Swing Bass, TI Jazz flats, TI nickel rounds, DR Lo Riders and Optima Golds. That’s been it. I’m sold on Optima and don’t feel much need to ever play anything else

 

[HelpImaRock]

I like what I like. I might try something different if I have a need. But I mostly stick with what I know works for me.