Steve Harris strings

Hey Welcome to TalkBass!!!!

What metal is on the outside of those strings? How about tension? Do they feel tighter than you last set of rounds?

 

Ah. What does the package say about what they are made of?

Hope you enjoy them.

 

FWIW, The Roto Steve Harris set are the highest tension flats I've ever used.

 

Monel is a Nickel-Copper alloy. I'm sure I wouldn't like these strings.

Monel is widely used when dealing with caustic chemicals, as it's very corrosion resistant.
I used to buy & sell valves & piping made out of it & it's not cheap or widely stocked.

These little 1/4" Monel needle valves are around $100/ea.:

 

Yes I read this on Wikipedia earlier today

 

Advantage: string is high tension, which you may like because it doesn’t move around a bunch when you hit it.

Disadvantage: string is high tension, which you may dislike because you have to hit it a lot harder to get it to sound the way you want it.

There’s no real benefit or disbenefit. Just whether or not you like it.

 

I lived it
Monel can be heavier than Bronze, so taking a delivery of large Monel valves was a feat.

 

It also puts more stress on the neck and will likely require a truss rod adjustment.

 

I just ordered a set of these, as I'm always trying different strings. I've been using a set of chromes on a certain P bass that just has a killer sound. I play tuned down a half step with this bass, so I thought I'd try a set of heavier gauge flats to see how the tension and sound compares to the chromes.

I like the fact they seem to be very slick and have a brighter sound (based on what I remember from Harris' sound he gets.

I've not tried Rotosound flats, so this will be a new experience for me.

Does anyone have anything to add regarding these strings?

 

Monel 400. It's 67% pure nickel, ~ 23% copper and other good stuff. Great material.

 

I love these strings, they stay bright a long time, they were my introduction to flats and a good choice for those not sure if they’d like the change from rounds.
I like the super-smooth feel and the high tension.
They have a great “clank” to them you wouldn’t expect from flats.

 

Those strings sounds great. Just make sure your neck is adjusted properly for them.

 

I'm using the regular "Jazz Bass 77" model for the first time. Very good strings. My usual strings are D'Addarios EXL roundwound and these Rotosound sound better IMO.

I've only noticed that output is a bit weaker (not a bad thing) than with the EXLs on the same bass. With the EXL while practicing at home (headphones) I had to turn volume down to play along my MP3s. If not, I was louder than the music. With the Rotosounds I have to turn volume full open.

May this variation be caused by string's alloy?

 

These strings are very high tension, beautiful sound when new but they age badly, they lose presence and just go dead unlike other flats which are better with age. And they are very low output strings, great with fingerstyle bad for pick.

 

I mounted them a few days ago on my precision and I think it's the major key the Steve Harris sound.

Then you have to adjust the relief of the neck back and lower the action because of the higher tension.