Strings dying. $400 a year on strings :(

[JonathanD]

Strings I have tried.
Rotosound 77s and 66s
D'addario Half rounds, Chromes, 170s
Elixers nano and poly
DR black b's and many others.
etc...etc...
and many others. I think I will just have to deal with the chromes dying.

Re"Bright": I don't like overly bright strings. But I don't like the stand up thud either.

 

[BassMaster4s]

i second the elixers

 

[kevinmoore73]

The Chromes on my Lakland are two years old and I think they sound great.

 

[strappa]

DR Sunbeams get my vote

I put a set on my Ric a couple weeks ago and they are just starting to sound good

 

[kirkm24]

I'm not sure what to say. If you wash your hands before you play, wipe them off after each time playing and you've tried multiple sets, I just don't think there are any options. Boiling strings or wiping them with alcohol will not give you new string zing they'll sound better than dead but won't sound like they're fresh out of the pack.

I've had Chromes on one of my basses for a month and I love them. I have a set of Pro Steels on my Jazz that have been on there for several months and they still have the new string zing. I don't wipe them down at all and I don't always wash my hands first.

It sounds like you will either need to get content with the way the strings sound or just keep buying new strings and replacing them. I wish there was better news.

Flats are like fine wine to me, the longer they're on, the better they sound. Chromes in particular are a unique flatwound because they still have mids and some high end. They are like the roundwound player's flatwound string.... a bridging the gap kind of string if you will. The Sadowsky flats are very similar except that they are even brighter than Chromes.

 

[madbassplaya]

www.webstrings.com

 

[VroomVroom]

I too would recommend hand washing, and wiping the strings with a microfiber towel right after playing. Beyond that, I'd also recommend Cleartone nickel strings. They're terrific and are VERY durable. The only complaint is that they're so bright they'll make you think you're playing SS strings. Good luck...

 

[Bassman203]

I've changed the strings on each of my basses only once. One I've had 4-1/2 years, another 2-1/2 years, and my most recent 1-1/2 years. I really don't think old strings start sounding bad (at least to my taste) till they change color from overuse where my hands normally are. I could probably even prevent that by wiping them down after playing.

Maybe you should search for some other way to get the tone you want.