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Stupid question about strings

Kijuer

Kijuer

Jan 23, 2018
1,088
3,495
Trescore Cremasco, Italy
www.oslaviaband.com
#1
I am one that craves for that brand-new-ultra-zingy sound of new strings. I wish it would last forever. My skin disagrees though, I have sweaty hands (very strings-unfriendly sweat apparently) and I tend to "kill" that zing in hours.
Maybe it's typical of strings and not my "fault" but I more often than I wish I read about people having this zing lasting forever and that never occurred to me.
Rotosound, DR, Ernie Ball, none of them ever lasted significantly zing-wise.
So I was wondering: has anybody tried those stupid cheap strings sets sold on AliExpress? If I can make a 10€ set last (read: keep the brand new zingy sound) as long as a 70€ EB set (yes, it's 70€ here) I might even change sets 7 times without losing money and always having that "newish" sound I like so much over the same time span of a single EB set that would otherwise "die" in a seventh of that time.
 
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#2
Kijuer said:
If I can make a 10€ set last (read: keep the brand new zingy sound) as long as a 70€ EB set (yes, it's 70€ here) I might even change sets 7 times without losing money and always having that "newish" sound I like so much over the same time span of a single EB set that would otherwise "die" in a seventh of that time.
Click to expand...

Since you're in Italy, why not try these Harley Benton Valuestrings Bass 45-105, or these Harley Benton HQS Bass 45-105 if you prefer stainless steel strings? In addition, at Thomann, the Ernie Balls are not at 70€: Ernie Ball 2833 Hybrid Slinky ;)
 
#5
Kijuer said:
I am one that craves for that brand-new-ultra-zingy sound of new strings. I wish it would last forever. My skin disagrees though, I have sweaty hands (very strings-unfriendly sweat apparently) and I tend to "kill" that zing in hours.
Maybe it's typical of strings and not my "fault" but I more often than I wish I read about people having this zing lasting forever and that never occurred to me.
Rotosound, DR, Ernie Ball, none of them ever lasted significantly zing-wise.
...
Click to expand...

I have found the best longevity with d'Addario Pro Steels - sure to last more than a few hours, IME. €30 from Thomman
https://www.thomann.de/it/daddario_...dXJyZW5jeSI6MiwibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjExfQ==&reload=1

Bear in mind that it is not only sweat that kills strings, but also work-hardening from being played. Resting your thumb heavily on the E string whilst going hard at the others can kill off the string before you even play a note on it.
 
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#6
Kijuer said:
I have sweaty hands (very strings-unfriendly sweat apparently) and I tend to "kill" that zing in hours.
Click to expand...

I would suggest that it is not your hands or your sweat, but the nature of strings. They sound the way they do when they are new, because it is the first time the metal has been placed under tension. Even if you didn't touch the strings at all, the zing will disappear within a couple of days, at most, as the elasticity of the metal subsides under constant tension.

Incidentally, this is why I never, ever put new strings on an instrument less than 3 days prior to an important gig or recording session. That gives enough time for the zing to disappear, so the strings sounds consistent through the session.

If you like zing, then you probably want to use stainless steel roundwound strings exclusively, as they are the brightest of all, and being stainless steel, will not really be affected by your sweat, at all.
 
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#7
Kijuer said:
I am one that craves for that brand-new-ultra-zingy sound of new strings. I wish it would last forever. My skin disagrees though, I have sweaty hands (very strings-unfriendly sweat apparently) and I tend to "kill" that zing in hours.
Maybe it's typical of strings and not my "fault" but I more often than I wish I read about people having this zing lasting forever and that never occurred to me.
Rotosound, DR, Ernie Ball, none of them ever lasted significantly zing-wise.
So I was wondering: has anybody tried those stupid cheap strings sets sold on AliExpress? If I can make a 10€ set last (read: keep the brand new zingy sound) as long as a 70€ EB set (yes, it's 70€ here) I might even change sets 7 times without losing money and always having that "newish" sound I like so much over the same time span of a single EB set that would otherwise "die" in a seventh of that time.
Click to expand...
Here's my thought. Give the cheapos a try. See how long that set lasts and let us know how they work out for you. My only concern with them is that I worry about getting bad strings and the wrong strings or missing strings especially when you have to buy them all the time. I dont trust the quality control but like i said try them and see. Harley Benton and Warwick red label should be inexpensive to buy in Europe. Rotosound as well. But all 3 have a reputation and people who like them. Ive tried rotos and Warwick red label both. They are honestly just fine. For being cheap strings Warwick red labels aren't bad. They feel pretty stiff and rough but the tone is actually pretty decent especially if you want some grit in your tone. The roughness was good for getting an aggressive sound.
 

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