• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Preffered strings?

M

miltong565

Oct 14, 2011
100
0
Toomebridge, Northern Ireland
#1
Hey guys, was just wondering if yous had any particular preference in strings? ive not been playing very long, but im due a new set of strings. these ones i have a D'Addario prosteels, i was advised by my bass teacher to get them. i mainly play rock (nothing too heavy). my bass is a OLP musicman stingray HH copy. Any ideas? i would appreciate your advice, as i assume most of you have alot more experience with basses than i do. thanks :)
 
#2
it took me quite a few sets to find my likes and dislikes.

First you need to figure out what kind of tone you are after...

Rounds of Nickel or Stainless... coated or uncoated...
Flats of Nickel or Stainless or plastic tape...
then there are Ground wounds... pressure wounds... it's endless.

Prosteels are on my list of preferred strings. I'd take DR High Beams over them, but Circle K are my current string of choice.
 
#4
Here's a member who can give you some great advice and sell you the strings through his company at a TB members price. He's a player and I doubt you'd find anyone more knowledgeable about the various types and brands of strings than Jason.

Tell him what instrument and amp you play, what kind of music and what you're looking for tonewise and he'll make several good suggestion to you. Costs nothing to ask. :)

BassStringsOnline.com

Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop...
 
#5
We - and these various other resources - can help point you in the right direction. But ultimately you'll have to make your own choices, based on your personal preferences and circumstances. And to do so meaningfully requires experience.

Ultimately, there is no substitute for personal experience - no workarounds, no shortcuts. Just as it has always been - pre-Internet as well as now... :hmm:

MM
 
#12
Hopkins said:
I personally use D'Addario EXL230s. Would you like them, maybe, but maybe not.
Click to expand...

im not entirely sure what all the letters and numbers mean. i have a set of D'Addarios prosteels on now, and they are ok, they were £15, and they have lasted 6 months,, but im looking for something with a bit more tone that really makes people think that i have a great sounding bass.
 
#15
miltong565 said:
im not entirely sure what all the letters and numbers mean. i have a set of D'Addarios prosteels on now, and they are ok, they were £15, and they have lasted 6 months,, but im looking for something with a bit more tone that really makes people think that i have a great sounding bass.
Click to expand...

Numbers indicate thickness of the string. Thicker strings are generally used to maintain string tension for downtuning (I'm sure they provide other benefits but that's the main one in my mind)

As for letters, unless I am mistaken about what youre referring to, those are the different strings contained in a pack.

I like GHS Boomers, they give my bass a nice punchy sound but as others have said, it's all a function of preference.
 
#17
MetalDisciple12 said:
Numbers indicate thickness of the string. Thicker strings are generally used to maintain string tension for downtuning (I'm sure they provide other benefits but that's the main one in my mind)

As for letters, unless I am mistaken about what youre referring to, those are the different strings contained in a pack.

I like GHS Boomers, they give my bass a nice punchy sound but as others have said, it's all a function of preference.
Click to expand...

what i was reffering to when i wrote that was another member said he used D'Addario ELS260's (or something along those lines) i know about different guages and all. im currently running 45-105 guage, but when i got this bass, the guy had something like 27-80 on it, which i thought was a bit ridiculous.
 
#18
miltong565 said:
what i was reffering to when i wrote that was another member said he used D'Addario ELS260's (or something along those lines) i know about different guages and all. im currently running 45-105 guage, but when i got this bass, the guy had something like 27-80 on it, which i thought was a bit ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Oh ok. That's just like the specific kind of D'Addarios, like a model number.

And that is ridiculous. But c'est la vie.
 
#19
soulman969 said:
Here's a member who can give you some great advice and sell you the strings through his company at a TB members price. He's a player and I doubt you'd find anyone more knowledgeable about the various types and brands of strings than Jason.

Tell him what instrument and amp you play, what kind of music and what you're looking for tonewise and he'll make several good suggestion to you. Costs nothing to ask. :)

BassStringsOnline.com

Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop...
Click to expand...

Plus 1

I have an SR5 HH and I use DR Sunbeams. I get them at bassstringsonline.com.

Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop...

Remember to sign up as a VIP (open to all tb members).
 
#20
miltong565 said:
im not entirely sure what all the letters and numbers mean. i have a set of D'Addarios prosteels on now, and they are ok, they were £15, and they have lasted 6 months,, but im looking for something with a bit more tone that really makes people think that i have a great sounding bass.
Click to expand...

Sorry for being so vague, they are .055 to .110 nickel round wounds. They are not as bright sounding as the prosteels. I don't use them for down tuning, I just prefer a higher tension string.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back