Questions about long lasting strings

[micguy]

Pressurewounds are wound with windings that have been somewhat flattened by passing the winding between rollers at high pressure - not round, but not a ribbon like flats use. They are literally in between rounds and flats geometrically and sonically.

 

[Hounddog409]

They all last for me.
I play what feels good. Change them once a year, maybe less. When ever i get the itch to clean the bass, or if the neck needs oiled for rosewood

Maple? Havent changed them yet.

 

[GlennRH]

@Arthur U. Poon:

Having played roundwounds of various brands since 1984, I find that two things cause short string life:
1. They're brittle strings doomed from day one. One of 'em breaks mere days after installation.
2. I installed them improperly, causing them to go dead from wrap loosening around the core.

Two things make roundwounds of various brands last for years:
1. I install them properly, preventing wrap from loosening around the core.
2. I always keep 'em clean.

YMMV

 

[michael_t]

Aren't pressurewounds sort of halfrounds, ie. "in between rounds and flats"?

Pressurewounds are wound with windings that have been somewhat flattened by passing the winding between rollers at high pressure - not round, but not a ribbon like flats use. They are literally in between rounds and flats geometrically and sonically.

GHS Pressurewounds are what's termed "rollerwound". They're different from so-called half-rounds or groundwound.

Their tonal character is more roundwound than flatwound, while half-rounds are more flatwound both in tone and feel.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Does anyone have any theories why one brand of strings has a longer lifespan than another brand?

Can it be that they use superior materials? Can it be that their manufacturing processes are superior?

Personally, I assume there’s very little differences in materials used from one brand to another, and I also assume that there’s very little differences in the manufacturing process from one brand to another, but I’m very interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts.

In my experience, GHS Pressurewounds and Infeld Superalloys kept their tone longer than any other brands that I’ve tried. IMO both brands kept their tone for well over a year. I’m not saying that their sound didn’t mellow slightly, but they maintained a tone, that for me was very useable in a live setting. I’ve since become a loyal Pressurewounds user. Even if they had a shorter lifespan, I like their tone so much, I’d still use them.

Two brands that I regularly read about here having the longest lifespan are DRs and TIs.

The only DR strings that I’ve tried are a set of DR Pure Blues. IMO they certainly are excellent sounding strings. They’re still on the bass that I put them on. However, I haven’t put a ton of playing time on them.

My nickel rounds last a solid 8 months to a year. I use elixirs. They're coated. They have a perfect mid range to them, and are smooth as hell.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

GHS Pressurewounds are what's termed "rollerwound". They're different from so-called half-rounds or groundwound.

View attachment 4686803

Their tonal character is more roundwound than flatwound, while half-rounds are more flatwound both in tone and feel.

Yes.

Pressurewounds sounds like dull round wounds.

Silencers sound like bright flats.

 

[michael_t]

Pressurewounds sounds like dull round wounds.

"Dull" as in well broken-in nickel rounds.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

"Dull" as in well broken-in nickel rounds.

Exactly.

 

[coy garcia]

I like the sound of Broken in Chromes...only takes a few days to break in and then they sound the same for 20 more years. If I must have rounds I like the DR black beauties.. they also last a long time.

 

[Hawk256]

Rotosounds used to be my go to strings but never seemed to stay bright for long. I have found that the DR Dragon Skin strings (while not quite as bright) keep a good sound for an extremely long time. In this case I think the coating really does something.

 

[Deleted member 368008]

Does anyone have any theories why one brand of strings has a longer lifespan than another brand?

Can it be that they use superior materials? Can it be that their manufacturing processes are superior?

All of them. Everything matters. Today's cutthroat knife edge competition leaves the manufacturing process out of the equation mostly. I've learned one thing though. If there's one thing that doesn't benefit at all of being hand wound it is bass/guitar strings. Plain guitar strings are even wash but it's in wound string that differences starting to happen. Material, sourcing, storing, manufacturing. However.... there's an anomaly in your question, which manufacturers usually takes use of and obfuscates a lot.

Lifespan of what?
Tone?
Longevity physically before they actually snap or break? Regardless of that they sound dead as a doornail?

Like Ernie Ball strings. They do LAST long physically, but my experience so far, is that their wound strings, and bass strings sounds the best, and are among the best, for a couple of days, then after that they sound like they've been on there for decades. Dead as a doornail. They may be outlasting my lifetime though, but with poor intonation, tone and not snapping/breaking ever.

Other manufacturers, sounds great and brilliant at the start, and wane with longer span. But may snap sooner. Pure nickels sounds the same after half a year. Doesn't snap too often either. Actually never did on my basses. Others experience may be the totally opposite. Round core strings lasts a little longer (string design manufacturing process). Alloy and the ratio of nickel/steel and gauge is paramount for lifespan. Not to speak of FLAT WOUNDS which has the longest lifespan in both tone, and physical longevity.

Coated strings "lasts" longer in tone only. The do snap as often as other strings. But anyway, their tone isn't too my liking from the start on, neither the feel.

I do yet have to come across any string manufacturer that lasts as long in tone (like sounding brand new after half a year) as they do physically lasts from breaking/snapping. It's the wrap up at the ball ends mostly they have to take care of and do it right, to keep that longevity.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I'm willing to bet it has more to do with the end user than anything.

Between what they consider "keeping the tone" and body oils and chicken grease.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

All of them. Everything matters. Today's cutthroat knife edge competition leaves the manufacturing process out of the equation mostly. I've learned one thing though. If there's one thing that doesn't benefit at all of being hand wound it is bass/guitar strings. Plain guitar strings are even wash but it's in wound string that differences starting to happen. Material, sourcing, storing, manufacturing. However.... there's an anomaly in your question, which manufacturers usually takes use of and obfuscates a lot.

Lifespan of what?
Tone?
Longevity physically before they actually snap or break? Regardless of that they sound dead as a doornail?

Like Ernie Ball strings. They do LAST long physically, but my experience so far, is that their wound strings, and bass strings sounds the best, and are among the best, for a couple of days, then after that they sound like they've been on there for decades. Dead as a doornail. They may be outlasting my lifetime though, but with poor intonation, tone and not snapping/breaking ever.

Other manufacturers, sounds great and brilliant at the start, and wane with longer span. But may snap sooner. Pure nickels sounds the same after half a year. Doesn't snap too often either. Actually never did on my basses. Others experience may be the totally opposite. Round core strings lasts a little longer (string design manufacturing process). Alloy and the ratio of nickel/steel and gauge is paramount for lifespan. Not to speak of FLAT WOUNDS which has the longest lifespan in both tone, and physical longevity.

Coated strings "lasts" longer in tone only. The do snap as often as other strings. But anyway, their tone isn't too my liking from the start on, neither the feel.

I do yet have to come across any string manufacturer that lasts as long in tone (like sounding brand new after half a year) as they do physically lasts from breaking/snapping. It's the wrap up at the ball ends mostly they have to take care of and do it right, to keep that longevity.

For me, lifespan is the period of time that the string produces a useable tone.

Up until 15 years ago, I desired a bright sound from my strings. So I replaced them every 3 to 4 weeks. Then, I started experimenting with a slightly darker tone, and I found that it worked really well for me.

And since I changed my sound, it’s not necessary for me to restring as often.

 

[Eric Lester]

So, uh, you guys change your strings?

 

[Snarf]

I'm not concerned with string longevity because during peak season with 3 gigs a week, I'm changing the strings every week. Strings just aren't going to last getting beaten up like that, at least in terms of tone.

Structurally, the strings are fine. So I suspend the strings in a PVC tube filled with denatured alcohol for 12 hours, remove and let them dry, and put them back in their package to be reused. I get 3-4 uses out of each set of strings using this method. This is the superior method to boiling, as when you heat and cool the strings, the string becomes more brittle and susceptible to breaking.

 

[Aaron D]

Once MJC Ironworks gets their issues straightened out thats the only string you'll need, I swear their "tour grade" strings last forever,I've had the same set for 2 years now and they sound just as bright and twangy as the day I opened them. I used to be a huge fan of Rotos and Dr strings but MJC..WOW they use old school hand made string manufacturing techniques and add some kind of anticorrosive coating on their strings..which is why they even look different than most..in a good way. When I started playing 20some years back I pondered what makes strings different so I tried EVERY string I found from cheap no names found on ebay and other similar sites(which I've found some awesome cheapies might I add) now its either MJC..which is down at the moment because the founder died(R.I.P ) and their still settling his estate..or the tried and true Ernie Ball super slinky because their really the only strings o find any difference in

 

[Pilgrim]

I like the sound of Broken in Chromes...only takes a few days to break in and then they sound the same for 20 more years. If I must have rounds I like the DR black beauties.. they also last a long time.

I should have added Chromes to my list of flats. I have also found that they last well.

So, uh, you guys change your strings?

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. Sounds expensive.

 

[bassrique]

Yes.

Pressurewounds sounds like dull round wounds.

Silencers sound like bright flats.

Do Silencers sound about as bright as bright as Cobalts?

-- How do Chromes compare to Cobalts in terms of brightness?

Once MJC Ironworks gets their issues straightened out thats the only string you'll need, I swear their "tour grade" strings last forever,I've had the same set for 2 years now and they sound just as bright and twangy as the day I opened them. I used to be a huge fan of Rotos and Dr strings but MJC..WOW they use old school hand made string manufacturing techniques and add some kind of anticorrosive coating on their strings..which is why they even look different than most..in a good way. When I started playing 20some years back I pondered what makes strings different so I tried EVERY string I found from cheap no names found on ebay and other similar sites(which I've found some awesome cheapies might I add) now its either MJC..which is down at the moment because the founder died(R.I.P ) and their still settling his estate..or the tried and true Ernie Ball super slinky because their really the only strings o find any difference in

MJC? I never heard of them. Where are they? I will have to do a search.

I'm not clear on your EB Slinky opinion.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Does anyone have any theories why one brand of strings has a longer lifespan than another brand?

Can it be that they use superior materials? Can it be that their manufacturing processes are superior?

Personally, I assume there’s very little differences in materials used from one brand to another, and I also assume that there’s very little differences in the manufacturing process from one brand to another, but I’m very interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts.

In my experience, GHS Pressurewounds and Infeld Superalloys kept their tone longer than any other brands that I’ve tried. IMO both brands kept their tone for well over a year. I’m not saying that their sound didn’t mellow slightly, but they maintained a tone, that for me was very useable in a live setting. I’ve since become a loyal Pressurewounds user. Even if they had a shorter lifespan, I like their tone so much, I’d still use them.

Two brands that I regularly read about here having the longest lifespan are DRs and TIs.

The only DR strings that I’ve tried are a set of DR Pure Blues. IMO they certainly are excellent sounding strings. They’re still on the bass that I put them on. However, I haven’t put a ton of playing time on them.

I use DR Low Riders and get about 50-75 hours of playing time out of a set. @75 hours they still sound great, but they get kind of clunky. I would imagine one with a lighter plucking technique might get get more life out of them.

I also use GHS Bass Boomers and average about 10-15 more hours out of a set, but IMO they don’t sound as refined as Lo Riders. They are less expensive too.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I’ve also gotten great lifespan from Prosteels. I had a set on my P-Bass for a really long time.

At 4 months in, they settled in a very nice rounded mellow version of themselves, its easy to imagine them now staying like this for a good long while ....

....which unfortunately isn't really what I want on the bass they're on. I'm wondering if I could get into a habit of shifting them from the rowdy bass to another one at 3 months old.....