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The Most "Under-rated" Strings

#5
Thudstaff said:
Roto Swingbass
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I have to agree. I had been using D'addarios for the longest time. I would switch out to try DR or even Thomastic. Most recent switch to the rotos for my fretless acoustic gave me exactly the sound i was looking for. The are sounding even better now that i have been playing on them for a month.
Using roto monel flatwounds.

As far as tapewounds go, i still like the D'addario's.

Play that groove string!
 
#7
I used to like EXL170's too (before they made me itchy). D'Addario "pinks" we used to call them lol. I especially liked them new, as they had that zing and then mellowed out into a thump as a show would progress.

I've been leaning toward's Ken Smith (balanced) Stainless Steels nowadays tho. :)
 
#10
GHS pressurewound, nice hybrid string really hits the sweet spot for me. Ken Smith make a very similar string, love to try it some day. Optima chrome flatwounds, low tension and great harmonics.
 
#13
Fender4Me said:
Which strings do you feel are the most under-rated? I have to say the D'addario EXL-170's. They're cheap, last a long time, feel great, and sound really good to me. Proof that you dont have to pay big bucks for a good set of strings. What do you guys think?
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agreed.

SIT's are also good, but I prefer the sound of D'Addario.
 
#16
twbassman said:
Everyone I have ever told mocks my Hartke strings. They are about $10 a pack (4 string). I like the tone! I play the mediums or HSB405! Round wound with a hex core!

They last a while with maintenance.
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I have used the hartke's before. They aren't bad strings, but they didn't last very long for me. Also, I hate the guages they come in. But for the price, it's hard to argue with.
 
#17
yellofury said:
I usually use Rotos or DRs but interstingly I do remember loving some regular ol Fender nickelwounds that came on a MIM jazz that I got in a trade
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The entire fender bass string line was recently revamped and retooled by Mr. Roger Hart (HASBEEN) and his team. They are amazing now and they're all I use on my standard-tuned 5-strings.

pedroims said:
S.I.T.
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YUCK. 2 out of 3 sets I've tried (purchased or came strung on a new instrument) the B string went dead in a matter of days and sounded a month old right out of the box.... YMMV

Rotos are their own breed.... totally different from everything else out there.... but you gotta stretch the heck out of them when first stringing up!!
 
#19
I like GHS Precision Flats and Dean Markley Blue Steels, which I don't see mentioned as often as many others. The GHS provide amazing old school tone, with satisfying thickness on the D and G strings. The Dean Markleys have lots of zing when new, but mellow nicely, and the low stiffness/long excursion provides surprisingly good thump with a P-bass. Now that I've found DR Fat Beams, however, I doubt I'll use the Blue Steels anymore.
 

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