As opposed to standard sets, or making your own gauge mix. (Or making your own if you have the equipment). Elaborate in the comments, and tell us what types you l8ke.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Signature strings. Do you use them?
- Thread starter Dlew919
- Start date
I'll consider signature sets the same way as signature amp/bass/pedal/whatever: if the product seems right and does what I'm after, I don't care about the name of the endorser except I'm gratefull someone cared about launching said product based on their specification.
I might use a signature product from a musician I'm not found of or don't even know. I might NOT use signature stuff from a player I particularily enjoy.
I might use a signature product from a musician I'm not found of or don't even know. I might NOT use signature stuff from a player I particularily enjoy.
Same as Sven, I’ll use signature strings if they are the specs I want; don’t care about the signature.
I've used Marcus Miller Dunlop rounds and Ernie Ball Pino Palladino flats.
I'd like to try out the Robert Trujillo Dunlops.
I'd like to try out the Robert Trujillo Dunlops.
I'm quite sure there are some jazz cats who love their "Geezers " and country honks who swear by their "Geddy".
Signature stuff is mostly.... marketing .
Signature stuff is mostly.... marketing .
The DR Pure Blues Victor Wooten set is sweet, and the lightest they offer. And reasonably priced. On sale at FretNation.com!
I’m usually looking for lighter sets, more in the .030 or .035 range, but I know I can use the Pure Blue VW on any of my basses.
I tried the DR Hellborgs, but they were too stiff.
Endorsement don’t make much difference.
I’m usually looking for lighter sets, more in the .030 or .035 range, but I know I can use the Pure Blue VW on any of my basses.
I tried the DR Hellborgs, but they were too stiff.
Endorsement don’t make much difference.
This x10000 ^
I will admit that a heavily-advertised name on the product does irritate me though. I like Marcus Miller a lot and hear excellent things about the Sire basses...but I really don't want a headstock with "MARCUS MILLER" slapped on it. I get it, this is likely part of a well-cemented endorsement deal, but to me it just feels tacky in my lineup.
If the name isn't visible or is small, all that matters is it does what I need it to do.
I don't play signature basses or even try to emulate my bass heroes. No way I'm going to gravitate toward signature strings.
I'm in no way trying to emulate Billy Sheehan, and I couldn't even if I wanted to, but his signature Rotos (BS66) are just about perfect. I already loved steel Rotos anyway in terms of feel and sound, Billy just got the gauges I wanted into a single package.
Last edited:
Signature gear is marketing guff, but sometimes works for me so I voted "sometimes".
Best example for me would be the Fender Roscoe Beck five string bass. I respect Roscoe as a player, but he's not why I bought the bass.
Best example for me would be the Fender Roscoe Beck five string bass. I respect Roscoe as a player, but he's not why I bought the bass.
The Ian Martin Allison strings by Labella are great.
Sometimes you go into a thread with an idea your head of what you want to say and someone has not only said it, but said it better than what was in your head.
This is one of those.
I've used the Steve Harris set because I wanted heavy 77s and that's what was available. If the shoe fits, I'll wear it. Mostly I'm misusing strings for odd tuning adventures so it seldom lines up because I do think most signature sets (Flea) are just marketing. I mention Flea because I like boomers.
i really like billy sheehan's signature string set.
slightly lighter G with the .110 e, all in stainless, it's a good set.
slightly lighter G with the .110 e, all in stainless, it's a good set.
If they offer a unique spec not found in non-signature sets, sure. Why not?
It's not like anyone looking at them will see or hear they are signature strings.
It's not like anyone looking at them will see or hear they are signature strings.
