I'm a big fan of D'Add Prosteels - been using them for many years, but I tried (several times) the Dunlop SS Superbrights, and really like them too. They are lower tension than the Prosteels, but the B string seems a bit too loose.
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The perfect strings...have you found yours?
- Thread starter jd56hawk
- Start date
To TRBX504/505 owner, the DR HI beam make the bass sound open and better clarity.
My most recent bass came with SIT Nickel Power Wounds installed on it. I've tried a few other brands since I bought it but I think I'm going to go back to the SIT Nickels on that and all my other basses.
I find experimenting with strings (and various gauges, tunings etc.) just too tempting ^^
In the 1970s, the string of choice to me (as for so many others) seemed Rotosound Swing Bass. Although their finish was coarse, and having to replace them every 2-3 weeks in a way was ridiculous.
I then changed to relatively bright nickel-plated rounds, esp. Ernie Ball Power Slinky 2831 (.055 - .110, preferably in Standard D, though – and on fretless). The only drawback was their less-than-perfect balance (G more taut, E sloppier than D and A). But their high mids and highs nicely complemented an Ampeg SVT stack.
I've at various stages been playing the alas discontinued LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass Roundwounds in various gauges. A very musical string to which I cannot give enough praise.
I've now since long preferring Alembic CX-3 for fretted, and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flatwounds for fretless. The former are great for slapping and double-thumbing (with a snappy attack), as well as touchstyle, and they last a long time (I do not suffer from aggressive sweat on my hands and also otherwise do not mistreat them). The latter is exceptionally flexible, so it works quite well for this purpose.
In the 1970s, the string of choice to me (as for so many others) seemed Rotosound Swing Bass. Although their finish was coarse, and having to replace them every 2-3 weeks in a way was ridiculous.
I then changed to relatively bright nickel-plated rounds, esp. Ernie Ball Power Slinky 2831 (.055 - .110, preferably in Standard D, though – and on fretless). The only drawback was their less-than-perfect balance (G more taut, E sloppier than D and A). But their high mids and highs nicely complemented an Ampeg SVT stack.
I've at various stages been playing the alas discontinued LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass Roundwounds in various gauges. A very musical string to which I cannot give enough praise.
I've now since long preferring Alembic CX-3 for fretted, and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flatwounds for fretless. The former are great for slapping and double-thumbing (with a snappy attack), as well as touchstyle, and they last a long time (I do not suffer from aggressive sweat on my hands and also otherwise do not mistreat them). The latter is exceptionally flexible, so it works quite well for this purpose.
SIT Powerwounds are some of the nicest sounding nickel rounds around. I tried their PowerSteels once, they were a disappointment ... not much brighter than the nickels.
Yeah, I'm harsh on my frets as it is so I use nickels, but was really impressed with the brightness and longevity of the Power Wounds. Converted me from Nickel Lo-Riders, which I'd been using for years.
I've played Elixirs exclusively for at least 15 years. Until I was old enough to give flats a try.
It was kind of obvious that I might like flats when a) I prefered Elixirs to other strings because they are smoother to the touch, b) I don't like zingy highs and c) I keep my rounds on my bass for ages and like them best when they are close to the end.
But as a person of habit, it took a while to figure that out.
Now, it's all wide open again. Flats take ages. By the time a roundwound string might be replaced by those that like a bright sound, the flats loose their sticky feel and just start maturing. It takes months to figure out what they'll be like. I have two sets sitting in the cupboard and a third on the way, which should have me experimenting for the entire year.
It was kind of obvious that I might like flats when a) I prefered Elixirs to other strings because they are smoother to the touch, b) I don't like zingy highs and c) I keep my rounds on my bass for ages and like them best when they are close to the end.
But as a person of habit, it took a while to figure that out.
Now, it's all wide open again. Flats take ages. By the time a roundwound string might be replaced by those that like a bright sound, the flats loose their sticky feel and just start maturing. It takes months to figure out what they'll be like. I have two sets sitting in the cupboard and a third on the way, which should have me experimenting for the entire year.
Kalium hybrids for a 5 string Jazz or a longer scale bass, TI flats for a P.
DR Pure Blues for 5 string, or Fender Nickel 7250 pure nickel for a 4 string.
DR Pure Blues for 5 string, or Fender Nickel 7250 pure nickel for a 4 string.
I have used D’Addarios exclusively for the past 7+years. I’m thinking of changing one of my basses to the tuning of BEAD. I want a super light gauge string & I noticed DR makes a couple of different sets that have the B string that’s 120. Of course, the other strings are lighter gauge as well. The lighter gauges for BEAD just sound appealing to me. I’m looking at the Sunbeams or maybe the Black Beauties. (because the bass is black & I think it would look cool) Just thinking out loud, y’all. Hope everyone is doing well!
Absolutely! GHS Round Core Boomers 95-40 for my Marcus Miller bass*. Once broken in they sound fat, but still keep the treble ping for some time; Black Diamond black coated round wounds 105-45 for my fretless maple necked Jazz bass )so I can see the lines in night clubs (close enough to Jaco:s Rotosounds for me); LaBella 760 black tape wounds for my fretless 5 string Jazz bass (e-c) 115--43, close enough to an upright sound to do justice to traditional jazz standards. GHS Boomers (hexcore) slinky 85-20 gauge (e--c) for my Ibanez Mikro 28.6" scale bass to get some Stanley Clarke effects, but an amazingly versstile all purpose bass.
* Great thing about GHS is that the small gauge G strings have double outer windings like the lower ones. The G strings integrate far better than the Hibeams I used to use
* Great thing about GHS is that the small gauge G strings have double outer windings like the lower ones. The G strings integrate far better than the Hibeams I used to use
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Are Sunbeams flat wound? I was considering getting those. I don’t have anything against flats at all, but I was just wondering.
No, they are round. I liked the G and D but hated the E and A. They had a harmonics i could not stand.
Sunbeams are roundwounds (I believe, everybody correct me if I'm wrong). I believe they are nickelwound.
Thanks for the response. They have a super light gauge 5 string set I as considering trying out.
