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So, what are your favorite strings to use??

gregmon79

gregmon79

Dec 20, 2012
27,397
19,561
46
Chicago IL
#1
Hello to all,
I'm curious to know what all you think are the best strings. I've never been a huge fan of one particular string or the other, favored a couple though. I'm, at the moment, using DR NEONS (green). But I'd like to find a really good, bright yet hard string with some warmth to it. What about y'all??
 
#2
I jump around a lot and never really stick with a brand for longer than half a year. My last stink was with DR strings, but lately I've moved back to Ernie Balls (the first strings I ever used on a regular basis). I might try Elixer's next, or maybe some weird like grounds or halfwounds.
 
#5
I've gone through quite a few, but I always come back to DR nickels. I have the green Neons on one bass and the nickel Lo-Riders on another. I got Elixirs after hearing all of the hype, but I was very disappointed because they certainly did not live up to it. They introduced this really weird chorus affect that always bothered me. Maybe that makes it sound "fuller" and better to some people, I don't know. It sure wasn't for me, though.
 
#6
Wow rook, what bass strings are you referring to?! A hundo!? This is true for guitar strings because I do play a little guitar myself. Bass strings will last quite awhile. I've sometimes boiled mine in hot water to prlong their life. It works quite well.

Jmatt, I used to use Ernie balls quite regularly as well but wanted a change. I'm still searchumg for a keeper though. I used to love boomers but grew tired of them after not too long. Maybe I'll try them again soon. I'd like to try the DR black beauties too. I've heard good things. Still want a regular I can't live without and am awaitint testimniols.
 
#11
It is all a matter of opinion and what you are looking for in your bass sound and the overall feel of it when you play. The best thing I can suggest is if you have major influences from bassists you listen to and absolutely love their sound then you can see what they use, not saying you have to replicate them exactly, but just incorporating your likes and influences into your sound and playing.

My strings I use are:
-Ernie Ball Nickelwound Slinkys 55-75-90-110-135 on my Stingray 5
-Same gauges of the Ernie Ball Slinkys on my Fender P (minus the B string of course)
-Rotosound Flats 50-75-95-110 also on my Fender P (Steve Harris signature or regular 77s)

And Elixir nickels in the largest gauges I can get on either bass when I am recording because I like my strings brand spanking new out of the box not broken in yet, and Elixirs last so long and keep that brand new zing brightness that I have no other choice but to use them because I can't afford to change strings every other day just to record, lol. I certainly don't prefer the sound of Elixirs over the Ernie Balls I use though.
 
#12
I somewhat agree with you. I suppose I said somewhat because I still haven't found mine. I guess I'd choose the EB Slinkys if I had to choose. I suppose the reason I started the thread in the first place was to get others opinions about THEIR regulars to see if they would perk my ears at all. I'm liking the DR nickels at the moment. I've recently tried the DR brand with the neons and really dig them. I'd like to see what they sound like without the coating though.
 
#14
gregmon79 said:
Never tried the nickels though, I'll have to look into those for sure, thanks.
Click to expand...

The DR Neons are nickel, that's what I meant. The reason I got the lo-riders was because I liked the sound of the Neons so much, and I assumed they would be the same except without the coating. I can't really say if they sound the same or not since the other bass has such a different tone, but I love both.
 
#16
I have tried many...Ernie Ball, DR, Elixir, GHS etc....but I keep coming back to the Fender 7250's on Jazz Bass and
Thomastik PowerBass on Alembic Persuader

Different feel and different sound for different styles of songs. But, thinking about putting the 7250's on my Alembic.
 
#17
I'm surprised nobody's said D'Addario ProSteels yet...

Anyway, they catch my vote! I was blown away when I first started using them. They provide for a great extremely-bright, punchy, metallic tone. I always string my ADJ bass with the Regular Light guage ProSteels. Really, very excellent strings.
 
#19
I used DR Marcus Miller Fat Beams for years but now have a deal with Curt Mangan so that's what I have been using for the last few years. Nickel roundwounds. I like a heavy gauge 55 - 110.
 

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