Something new?

[madbassplaya]

Here's what I've used/am using.

Currently have D'Addario XL's on my bass. These are good strings but I just feel something is missing. They don't have that full sound that I'm wanting. They tend to be kind of nasally as well. Again, not a bad string just not what I'm wanting.

DR Nickel Lo Riders:
Too dull sounding.

DR Sunbeams:
I remember liking these a lot but the round core made them clacky. I should work on my technique.

Dunlop Nickels:
LOVED these strings for the longest time. Nice tension and I really liked the sound. I don't remember the B string being memorable though. Got a few sets with dead strings and switched brands.

Circle Ks:
Great string. Too bright and shimmery for me.

Slinkys:
A lot like D'Addarios from what I remember.

Elixir's:
Used these a LONG time ago.

Sadowsky Blues:
Nice but a little bright for me.

GHS Boomers:
I liked these pretty well. B string was underwhelming though.

So...If I were looking for a fuller sounding round wound with a great B string for a 35 inch scale Jazz 5 what would you suggest?

 

[mmbongo]

You know I'm still liking the Fodera strings!

 

[madbassplaya]

You know I'm still liking the Fodera strings!

I don't own a Fodera. Lol

I just got a Hartke 215 cab and it has much less of a high mid spike than the neo cabs that I've been using. The D'Addarios don't seem as nasally now.

 

[Gorn]

Daddario exp reds. Very full sounding. Rich and clear with a surprisingly awesome slap tone. I don't know about the b string, but the others sound great.

 

[markanini]

Fodera Diamond FTW

 

[mmbongo]

I don't own a Fodera. Lol

They still sound great on my Lakland!

I say try the Foderas. To me, other than DR or Circle K, everything is is 'just another hex core string'

 

[madbassplaya]

They still sound great on my Lakland!

I say try the Foderas. To me, other than DR or Circle K, everything is is 'just another hex core string'

Fair enough.

I've been playing nickel long enough that I think I'm gonna give steels a try.

DR Steel Lo Riders have been ordered!

 

[Jon Moody]

Since you're in the trial mode, hunt down our Rene Martinez Tapercore set (which is being rebranded as the Big Core Bass, because they downtune nicely). They're basically a hybrid of stainless steel and Alloy 52 wraps for a good, tight feel without a lot of tension on the neck. The E and B string are tapered. The B string is fairly decent; it's not Progressives good, but I'll play it with good results past the 5th fret.

They come in one set: 45-65-85-105-130.

 

[nukes_da_bass]

LaBella Jamerson Flats original 1954. If they dont snap the neck of your bass, you'll love em!

 

[tylerwylie]

Grab some R Cocco strings out of Jason's bass string bin and give those a try too imo.

 

[madbassplaya]

Grab some R Cocco strings out of Jason's bass string bin and give those a try too imo.

How do they compare to DR?

 

[tylerwylie]

How do they compare to DR?

IMO, they're in another world. I'm using .125 .100 .080 .60 .040 and they are the best nickel strings IMO. They might not last as long, but they last longer than most non-DR's.

 

[bassboysam]

I just put on a set of R Cocco's on my Jazz bass a few days ago. the same bass has had DR Nickel Lo-Riders, Circle K's, La Bella Nickels, Roto Nickels and D'addario Nickels. the gauge a I use for C# standard tuning is around .120, .90, .70, .50.

So far i find the R Cocco's warmer than the Circle K's, D'addarios and La Bellas. They don't have that clang. Tension wise, they are lower tension than the Circle K's which I found too stiff. They have a similar vibe to the Nickel Lo-Riders and Rotos, a bit brighter at the very top. The midrange really jumps out at you but not in a bad "boxy" kind of way, and the low end is amazing. i really like how the .120 sounds, even tuned down to B, it is punchy and articulate but still more than enough deep bass. I'm curious to see if they have the longevity of the DRs and how well they maintain the nice top end. My only complaint about the DRs was that they do get pretty dark after they break-in and they don't have a .50 or .70 so I have to use .45 and .65 which is a bit too loose for my tuning.

Even if the R Coccos lose some of that top end they still have one up on the DRs for me because I can get them in a .50 and .70.

 

[pacojas]

i just went back to Dunlop SS. now i realize how great they are. the B-string is awesome, BTW! (maybe they deserve another go)

 

[madbassplaya]

i just went back to Dunlop SS. now i realize how great they are. the B-string is awesome, BTW! (maybe they deserve another go)

Never used the Dunlop steels but wouldn't mind giving them a go.

Got the DR Lo Rider Stainless on and with just a couple of times playing them, I really like them. Steels lose that honky midrange and have such authority.