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The perfect strings...have you found yours?
- Thread starter jd56hawk
- Start date
Yes,but they stopped making them years ago!
I started on Ernie Ball Slinky, 'cause hey, cheap. Dreamed of the day I'd get fancier strings.
Having now tried a few other brands and types, I've been shockingly unthrilled by all of them. Starting to wonder whether I didn't find my perfect strings accidentally right out of the gate!
Having now tried a few other brands and types, I've been shockingly unthrilled by all of them. Starting to wonder whether I didn't find my perfect strings accidentally right out of the gate!
Last edited:
Yup.
Since '13, it's been GHS light gauge Boomers, 40-95. Set L3045.
Have tried other set, but I always go back to the Boomers.
Since '13, it's been GHS light gauge Boomers, 40-95. Set L3045.
Have tried other set, but I always go back to the Boomers.
For acoustics, yes, GHS pressurewound bronze. Still like DR Hi Beams on electric, though am swayed by the Dunlop ss too...
Yes. Roto 77's! They're a slightly lighter gauge than the Fender flats I've used, which gives them a subtle nudge toward a brighter sound. I can get "round-ish" highs out of them without tearing up my fingers. I tried a set on my Jazz, and liked them so much, I put them on my Kingman acoustic as well. They're fantastic in both places, and likely to remain my go-to strings overall. 
Pressurewounds for J bass and Chromes for P.
This is probably a very un-TB thing to say but, honestly, I'm just not all that picky (no pun intended) about strings. I've used a wide variety of flats, rounds, and other variants over the years and have rarely come across any that I really didn't like, and I've been pretty happy with almost everything I've tried. I seem to just adapt to whatever strings I happen to be using at the time. But if I had to pick one that seems to suit me best overall, I think it would be TI flats.
I like D'Addario NYXLs in light and light top/medium bottom gauges.
wmhill
Inactive
- Aug 20, 2012
- 4,054
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I’ve tried an embarrassing amount of strings, but for me the light gauge cobalt flats were finally the perfect mix of flat smoothness, little closer to roundwound sound, and a bit less floppiness that TIJF’s. The jazz flats are me second fave, but I really have to pay attention to a light touch with those.
TI Jazz Flats for most basses. TI Jazz Rounds for the jazz bass.
Still settling on a set of strings for the acoustic. Liked Labella tapes but kept having outer wrap separation. Currently using GHS Pressurewound Bronze and finding that while these are the best bronze strings I have tried, I really do not like bronze.
Still settling on a set of strings for the acoustic. Liked Labella tapes but kept having outer wrap separation. Currently using GHS Pressurewound Bronze and finding that while these are the best bronze strings I have tried, I really do not like bronze.
I like Elixir Nanoweb. I understand why some don’t like coated strings but for me I like the feel and can EQ to a taste I like....
For my fretted 5 (35" scale):
For my fretless 5 (35" scale length):
For my various 4 string basses (34" scale length):
For my fretless 5 (35" scale length):
For my various 4 string basses (34" scale length):
