School me on strings!

[H13]

YO!

I am new-ish to bass playing. I have not experimented with strings 'cos...jesus Bass Strings are expensive.

However I have run out of my current supply so it's time to try something new! But I have no idea what strings do what.

Looking for sets of 4 string roundwounds. Tried flats. Hated 'em. I like zing!

I've used the D'Addario and they didn't light me up. I've been using Rotos for a while and I found they were deeper and zingier than the D'Addarios.

But that's the extent of my string experience. Ergo I turn to the internet.

What do LaBella sound like compared to Rotos? Ernie Ball? Fender? Any other brand I should consider? I would assume that <X> brand has <X> character so...give me some ideas about what to try next

But don't get poopy if I stick with Rotos . I'm not experimenting due to dislike of Rotos, but due to a lack of experience and not knowing what's out there.

 

[JimmyM]

They all make stainless steel rounds, which are generally much brighter than nickel plated strings. You can get into the weeds of this and that, but to me it sounds like you’d prefer steels. And Rotos are about as bright as it gets.

 

[H13]

They all make stainless steel rounds, which are generally much brighter than nickel plated strings. You can get into the weeds of this and that, but to me it sounds like you’d prefer steels. And Rotos are about as bright as it gets.

Cheers!

I was using the Nickel Rotos for the record. Those are bright enough so I think I'll stick with Nickel?

 

[Dlew919]

If you like them stick with them.

 

[H13]

If you like them stick with them.

Definitely inclined to.

However since I have no spare sets left, before I order anything, it's worth asking around to see if there's anything worth considering as an alternative

 

[Dlew919]

If you like them stick with the

Definitely inclined to.

However since I have no spare sets left, before I order anything, it's worth asking around to see if there's anything worth considering as an alternative

Oh for sure. But really do your research before you commit. Bass strings last a long time. lol. And good luck with it all. You may find your sound. Or you may have found it.

 

[Stan_da_man]

I would give SIT Powerwounds or Foundations a go. Great strings.

 

[tb-player]

Strings don’t matter… especially if you’re new to the bass. Play what you’ve been playing and focus on technique/skills. Experimentation with strings will just distract from what really matters.

 

[One Way]

@H13 The good new about bass strings is they don’t need to be changed monthly like guitar strings. I find my round wound bass strings typically last 6 months to a year prior to changing. Flat wound strings last years. As mentioned above SIT strings are economical relative to others and you might really like the Foundations as they have a slightly thinner core wire and play with a lighter touch.

 

[Swift713]

Strings don’t matter… especially if you’re new to the bass. Play what you’ve been playing and focus on technique/skills. Experimentation with strings will just distract from what really matters.

I'm not sure that trying out different strings would be much of a distraction once they're on, unless you order 37 different sets and try them all out in one sitting. Strings can make a pretty big difference but your technique makes a bigger difference. Once that's reasonably consistent you will appreciate the relative subtlety of different rounds more. FWIW I used to play Ernie Balls but now I'm using DR Sunbeams for rounds and La Bella low tension flats.

 

[smtp4me]

If you like nickel Rotosounds, you might want to try DR strings. Full disclosure... I am heavily biased towards DR strings, but with good reason. DR Pure Blues are made up of a nickel alloy (no idea what else is in there besides nickel) and they sound very bright without being too much so. And DR uses round cores in many of their strings which makes them a little more flexible than hex cores (such a Rotos). And... they're about $25 per set, which is a great price even among bass strings.

 

[manbass]

After 35 years of making notes with Bass Strings, this thread is most beneficial ---------> (Gauges).

As for me, primarily performing Rock, Jazz, Pop, Funk on Rounds I prefer Nickel extra light gauges or super extra light (35-95) either D'A or EB.

 

[DanAdams]

I like Dunlop super brights. they have 'super bright' right in the name.
They also seem to cost a bit less than other respectable strings.
Different brands of nickel / round have not made a noticeable difference in my 30+ years of playing.
Just avoid the super cheapies.

 

[evanrunyon]

The older I get, the more I notice that I sound like “myself” on pretty much whatever equipment I’m using, so I’d say whatever hits that “good enough” sound, doesn’t break the bank and feels good on the hands is what you should go with. For me (a twenty year professional musician with 100+ performances annually), it’s Ernie Ball Super Slinkies.

 

[dune]

I was a diehard Rotosound RS66 guy for the majority of my playing career, and probably hung with them a couple of years longer than I should have, after it became clear that their quality control was lacking. I switched to DR Hi-Beams and didn't really look back. Recently, I've experimented with Sunbeams and Pure Blues. When I was on the road, I always felt like I got several more nights out of stainless than nickel (occasionally I couldn't get Rotos and had to go with Boomers) but playing for myself I don't wear them out very quickly. Based on some threads here, I had been considering giving Rotos another shot, but many of the reviews at Sweetwater sounded like the same issues that caused me to switch to begin with, so for now I'm sticking with DR. Of course, the audience never gave a rat's about my string choices.

 

[cyclealt]

This is a rabbit hole with no concise answer. I really like bright too. Even after almost 20 years of playing off and on. I used to use Blue Steel by Dean Markley but the QC went down and I don't even know who owns that brand anymore. It's a weird rabbit hole. Lately I've been really liking DR Hi-Beams.

You're gonna hear a lot of people tell you warnings about stainless steel strings but as someone who's entire run playing bass has been primarily stainless steel strings I've never had an issue with them. If you're looking for brighter than what you're getting now I would recommend that. If not just keep at it with the brand you already know.

 

[Element Zero]

You’ll get a ton of responses and recommendations for every brand out there.

After years and years of spending absurd amount on trying strings, brands, material, gauges… I’m quite happy with

Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and Elixir Stainless Steel Mediums.

 

[GwenOnBass]

There are three reasons to change bass strings:

They don't sound good.
They are broken.
They are hurting you.

 

[Brandon Shea]

What style(s) of music are you playing, and how long are the Rotos lasting?

Some quick thoughts from my time experimenting with strings, emphasizing stuff with plenty of top end:

• DR Hi-Beams sound amazing when new, easy to find and worth a shot. I kill them very quickly, so I stopped buying them.
• DR Dragon Skins capture most of the sound I like from Hi-Beams, but they're coated so they sound good for months instead of weeks. I haven't tried the newest version of these yet. Some people dislike the texture; I don't personally notice it after using the strings for an afternoon.
• Dean Markley Blue Steels were an old favorite, but apparently new sets aren't as good as the old ones. I've heard Apex Strings make some strings which are very similar to the originals, I just haven't tried them yet. For me, Blue Steels were the ultimate P-Bass with rounds tone.
• Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats might be the best of both worlds, and if nothing else, I think you'd have fun experimenting with them. They really are flatwounds, and they really do have a zing like roundwounds. I tried them for the first time earlier this year, and I wish I had checked them out sooner. The sustain is particularly surprising for a flat.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If you like nickel Rotosounds, you might want to try DR strings. Full disclosure... I am heavily biased towards DR strings, but with good reason... they're about $25 per set, which is a great price even among bass strings.

...I switched to DR Hi-Beams and didn't really look back. Recently, I've experimented with Sunbeams and Pure Blues. When I was on the road, I always felt like I got several more nights out of stainless than nickel...

...Lately I've been really liking DR Hi-Beams.

Jumping on this train with absolute joy, OP...

I hear a lot of D'Addario getting suggested for SS around Talkbass, but theirs sound incredibly weak and lifeless to me. Everything from DR has sounded great to me and they've been the most long-lasting strings I've used by far. There are some other strings that sound good, but I've yet to play anything that matches DR in tone, longevity, and price for roundwounds.

Stainless Lo-Riders are great, since their hex core makes them stiffer and good for downtuning. They also have the DDT (Drop Down Tuning) series made specifically for that. I like the Hi Beams as well, they have a great tone for basses I play with a pick. I'd give the Stainless Steel Lo-Riders a shot, or Hi Beams if you want something REALLY bright.