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Something Like Kalium, but available in europe?

vbchaos

vbchaos

Sep 5, 2011
774
130
Groningen, The Netherlands
www.breakpointnine.com
Disclosures
Uncompensated endorsing user: fEARful
#1
I didn't play for about 2-3 years and recently started playing again. First thing, new set of strings. I had a spare set of Kalium strings left, put em on and was instantly happy with it. Only thing is, the set was already used and I tried to get new sets. But they are absolutely unaffordable over here in Europe. 40$ shipping? No way

But, I am totally out of this whole world - I once had quite good knowledge of strings and what they sound like, how they feel... But not anymore, unfortunately.

I play 5 string basses, standard tuning BEADG. I like smooth, relatively thin strings. I play with my fingers, plug relatively hard... If I remember correctly, the last set I ordered from Kalium was a hybrid 130-ish (maybe 125 or 136, but I guess 130).

Does anyone know something similar (or better) that can be bought in Europe without buying the shipping company as well?

Thanks in advance
 
#2
I love Kalium hybrid metal balanced tension roundwounds, but even in the USA the company has become
somewhat erratic about fulfilling orders.
I’ve found a reasonable replacement in DR Pure Blues set,which have a similar feel and sound.
I prefer the 45-100 gauge.
I’m presuming DR, being a big company, has strings available in Europe.
 
#5
Thanks guys - luckily, not 100 responses wityh 200 different suggestions

I guess I'll try them all... I actually have 2 different basses I'd like to re-string - Dingwall NG2 and Ibanez SR605. With Kalium strings it was nice to have the same strings on all basses. Newtone would allow for the same, which is really a pre!
On the other hand, novadays the Dingwall strings are also available around here, so I will give them a try, too.

And the DR Pure Blues are new to me, I'll have a look as well.

Dang, what an expensive hobby :-)
 
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#6
vbchaos said:
Thanks guys - luckily, not 100 responses wityh 200 different suggestions

I guess I'll try them all... I actually have 2 different basses I'd like to re-string - Dingwall NG2 and Ibanez SR605. With Kalium strings it was nice to have the same strings on all basses. Newtone would allow for the same, which is really a pre!
On the other hand, novadays the Dingwall strings are also available around here, so I will give them a try, too.

And the DR Pure Blues are new to me, I'll have a look as well.

Dang, what an expensive hobby :)
Click to expand...
I tune real low so unfortunately dingwall strings don't go low enough even on my 37" scale. I have a feeling they are sourced from kalium? They refer you to kalium for bigger sizes if I remember correctly. Newtone takes about same time for custom strings as kalium except they are 100% more communicative.
 
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#7
Long Long time ago I knew what brand actually manufactures Dingwall strings - gutfeeling was GHS... They refer to Kalium because Dingwall only provide standard gauges and Kalium was the only manufacturer of thick, low-tuning strings when Dingwall started this. I guess they just never removed that link again...

I have to browse through the Newtone options to make a choice there, gonna take some time to get all the details tomorrow
 
#11
vbchaos said:
Update from my side:
I have tested DR Pure Blues now. I really, REALLY like them soundwise. I'd like them to have a tiny bit less tension, though. I have a feeling that these strings die pretty quick, unfortunately.

So, I guess I will have a look at Newtone now.
Click to expand...

I play daily, and I can report that Pure Blues last a long time. Of course, your body chemistry might affect them differently. I put my last set on my StingRay back in January and they’re only now starting to die down more than what happens after their initial break in.

I can’t recommend anything with even less tension. I always found PB’s with their round core to be one of the comfiest round wound strings tension-wise.
 
#13
vbchaos said:
Update from my side:
I have tested DR Pure Blues now. I really, REALLY like them soundwise. I'd like them to have a tiny bit less tension, though. I have a feeling that these strings die pretty quick, unfortunately.

So, I guess I will have a look at Newtone now.
Click to expand...

I will say newtones last forever for me. Like a year or more so far.
 
#15
vbchaos said:
Thanks guys - luckily, not 100 responses wityh 200 different suggestions

I guess I'll try them all... I actually have 2 different basses I'd like to re-string - Dingwall NG2 and Ibanez SR605. With Kalium strings it was nice to have the same strings on all basses. Newtone would allow for the same, which is really a pre!
On the other hand, novadays the Dingwall strings are also available around here, so I will give them a try, too.

And the DR Pure Blues are new to me, I'll have a look as well.

Dang, what an expensive hobby :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hear you. It can be very expensive, if you have 24 basses - like I do. The expense is just one of the many reasons I prefer flats over rounds. And have, for many, many years. If I had to keep them all in rounds, I'd be broke, and living in a cardboard box...:whistle:
 
#16
Update:
While I haven't received the Newtone strings yet, they already have 2 downsides.
First: Availability/ TimeToMarket (buzzword): I ordered on May third, 27 days later still haven't have my strings in hands. I had to contact them after 16 days myself because they didn't follow their "produced/shipped within 4 days" policy. Set is shipped, but since GB is no part of the EU anymore I have to pay 13 euro additional tax, which makes these strings simply unaffordable (unless of course these are the bloody best strings in the world).

Keep you posted
 
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#17
Update 2:
OK, never again. It is 5 weeks ago that I ordered a set of bloody bass strings, and I still don't have them. Now they are stuck in customs.
Payson, Newtone, whoever you are: Find someone to import your strings to the EU, or go to hell. I know it is not Newtone's fault that dutch customs is slow, but still you lost me as a customer.
 
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#18
vbchaos said:
Update 2:
OK, never again. It is 5 weeks ago that I ordered a set of bloody bass strings, and I still don't have them. Now they are stuck in customs.
Payson, Newtone, whoever you are: Find someone to import your strings to the EU, or go to hell. I know it is not Newtone's fault that dutch customs is slow, but still you lost me as a customer.
Click to expand...

Bloody Hell, I stand corrected.
I finally had these strings in my mailbox today, and these might be the best string I have ever played.
First impression was: A bit stiff, rough, and a bit more tension than I fancy, but after 5 minutes of playing these strings really start to shine. They allow for crazy bends and play ever so smooth. As if you just have to warm 'em up.
Tonally they have something going on that I really enjoy. Fat, warm, controlled, and with a nice zzzzing on the frets. I am very very curious what they sound like in the band context.
But compared to the Pure Blues: not even worth the comparison, the Newtone strings really stand out.

I hope these strings last a long time so they'd be worth the extra hazzle to actually get them
 

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