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String sets comparable to Fodera Ultra light 6 Nickel

Blockrocker

Blockrocker

Dec 21, 2007
6
1
Basel, Switzerland
#1
Hello dear Talk Bass community

according to my Profile I haven't posted anything in thirteen years (not getting any younger I guess) and have been a passive reader ever since, however, I am a bit at a loss and am appreciative of any kind of Input. I also checked the forum rules and used the search engine to see if this has been asked before and didn't find anything, so if it has been I sincerely apologize.

I was about to order a couple of sets of "Fodera Ultra Light 6 Nickel" off of Thomann the other day, and they didn't have any in stock. After I checked the Fodera Website and noticed they did not list that particular set on there I sent them an E-Mail asking about it and they did, in fact, confirm that they do not offer this set anymore.

As they have been my absolute favorite brand of strings ever since my former bass instructor recommended them to me, and I don't see Fodera offering single strings (although I have wrote them about it today, so fingers crossed) I'm already looking for alternatives that sound and feel and have a tension even close to this marvelous set of strings, but I honestly didn't plan to use any different kind of set on my Mayones and Sandberg any time soon.

I play pizzicato almost exclusively on both my Mayones Caledonius 6 and my Sandberg S1, and aim for a modern Jazz Sound (Love Hadrien Feraud, Felix Pastorius, but also classic six string Skúli Sverrisson), while also trying to be as versatile as possible and use my bass in all different settings (again, Hadrien Feraud). I switch Pick ups a lot, and use all possible combinations (Bridge, Bridge/Neck, Bridge).

I've already did some digging myself and would probably give them a go: Magma Electric Bass Strings Extra Light - Nickel Plated Steel Round Wound - Long Scale 34

Does anybody have any experience with this set, or could recommend any set that is close in gauge and qualities?
Thank you so much for your time, I hope this thread is in accordance with the rules for this forum!
 
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#2
I'm not familiar with that Fodera set, but I wouldn't think they'd be massively different from other strings of similar gauges and construction. I could well be wrong, but I doubt that Fodera ever made the strings themselves; more likely, they had a dedicated string maker manufacture them to their specs. I don't know who that would have been, though.

Anyway, since you're in Europe, perhaps Thomastik Infeld, Pyramid, Galli, or Dogal might be worth a look, and perhaps easier to obtain? Also, Newtone Strings in England will do a custom set for you in any gauges you like.

In the US, another option to try would be Kalium. Full disclosure: some people have reported problems ordering from Kalium. I never have, however (aside from one package lost by the US Postal Service), and I've been using Kaliums for years. FWIW.
 
#3
Thank you for your input! I already checked the Thomastik Infeld Webpage, and they don't offer strings that light.
Newtone Strings looks very promising, I might give them a try, thank you!

Also a quick update: Fodera replied to me today about my inquiry whether or not it would be possible in the future to order an ultra light 5 string set plus a C-String and they said it would be possible! So there might be a happy end after all :-) Having that said, it would probably be a good idea to still be on the lookout for alternatives, just in case.
 
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#4
Richard Lindsey said:
I'm not familiar with that Fodera set, but I wouldn't think they'd be massively different from other strings of similar gauges and construction. I could well be wrong, but I doubt that Fodera ever made the strings themselves; more likely, they had a dedicated string maker manufacture them to their specs. I don't know who that would have been, though.
Click to expand...

Fodera DOES make their own strings in their own little string-winding "shack". That's the way it's always been.

 
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#8
I would look into some of the light gauge DR Sunbeam, Nickel Lo Riders, if they make em light enough for you. Also, Kalium Hybrids in light gauge are reminiscent (to me) of the Fodera Nickels.

IMO/IME, the TI Jazz rounds are pretty different feeling/sounding than Fodera nickels, gauge notwithstanding
 

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