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The TalkBass String Comparison Sound Clip Thread!
- Thread starter IconBasser
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- comparison sound string talkbass
Switching from XLs to Boomers, you should hear an immediate improvement in the lower mids. I haven't tried the Zikos. People complain about Boomers dying quickly. It's not a real concern to me because I'm only in it for the lower mids. They don't seem to me to go dead any quicker than any other nickels anyway. They're my favorite rounds.
I spotted this thread and wonder... has anyone of you ever tested the Killer City strings? I saw them on Amazon at pretty cheap prices, 10 bucks or even less.
Always good to hear something different, I've done recording different strings. For now at least. Still got my rotos on my stingray
I'm used with SS strings from Warwick, Daddario and Dunlop. Also tried others like SIT, Power Steel, GHS Super Steels.
Never bothered about the rough feel, it's a matter of few days to get used to them, and the benefits of lifespan and tone worth the whole thing.
Recently, i tried the Martin's Darco 5-string set and found it, to my taste and feel, pretty decent and cheap ( Paid 12 and some odd dollars, plus taxes and shipment, about 17-18 total ).
Never bothered about the rough feel, it's a matter of few days to get used to them, and the benefits of lifespan and tone worth the whole thing.
Recently, i tried the Martin's Darco 5-string set and found it, to my taste and feel, pretty decent and cheap ( Paid 12 and some odd dollars, plus taxes and shipment, about 17-18 total ).
I recently raged war on my wallet and did a string shootout. Here are photos of all the strings I tried. I realize this is an extremely subjective test however I always look for the strings which just stick out in the mix the most and I do favor low mids. I will reveal the winner shortly. Any thoughts?
Between all the Stainless Stells strings, which one is your favorite about tone, feel and lifespan?
Like i was saying before, i'm big fan of SS strings, but like everyone else, always looking for the best options, especially for the money.
I purchased the DR Hi-Beam and Dean Markley SR2000, but i'm not going to use them right now, at least for the next three months or so. But i wonder about what others may have found about them.
Like i was saying before, i'm big fan of SS strings, but like everyone else, always looking for the best options, especially for the money.
I purchased the DR Hi-Beam and Dean Markley SR2000, but i'm not going to use them right now, at least for the next three months or so. But i wonder about what others may have found about them.
From all the strings sets you've posted, i would say the SR2000 and the NYXL will be, tone wise, the best options.
Matter of fact, i purchased the SR2000 based on numerous reviews where the guys were giving it highly positive opinions about tone. Ed Friedland was one of them, and because him i was looking for the Helix SS strings but i guess they just ceased production of these strings.
Matter of fact, i purchased the SR2000 based on numerous reviews where the guys were giving it highly positive opinions about tone. Ed Friedland was one of them, and because him i was looking for the Helix SS strings but i guess they just ceased production of these strings.
SR2000 is a great string but because of the taper-core of all the strings its a very bright string. Out of all of these string to my surprise, the GHS B52 was the loudest most aggressive string of the bunch and won my vote.
In total honesty, all of these strings were pretty darn good and I could live with any of these strings. There were some standouts. B52's, FatBeams, Dunlop and Daddario XL's but of these standouts the B52s won it for me. High Beams were nice too. Least favorite was the Fender strings.
I tried the Fender before, and actually i did liked them. The ones with black silk. But was a different time, different bass and so on... Based from what i saw recently, i guess i would have a different opinion now.
An interesting options in string are the Maruszczyk stainless/nickel. I've tried stainless on first equipment on my Elwood 4 L they are not hard, but not so light (100-40) round wound but not so soft as others like GHS Boomers. The strings are well balanced exceptional long running and decade progressively.
A small bump to this thread: I'm going to grab a 5-pack of Ziko's 6-strings set, same as IconBasser posted here.
The single pack is pretty cheap, but buying a 5-pack makes the whole thing even more cheaper!
Hope i will be able to reinstall my interface and record some stuff to demonstrate how Zikos will sound. Wish me luck!
The single pack is pretty cheap, but buying a 5-pack makes the whole thing even more cheaper!
Hope i will be able to reinstall my interface and record some stuff to demonstrate how Zikos will sound. Wish me luck!
OK now, the deal is done... Managed to get the 5-pack, 6-string set for less than 50 dollars, about 9 dollars per set. Hope I'll be completely satisfied with its tone. By hearing the sound clips, can't go wrong with them.
I forgot to ask you guys... The short winding issue only affect string-thru-body basses or will affect the regular bridge-thru as well?
regular bridge as well, but only if you have a 35" scale bass. The windings are long enough for a 34" bass.
Reviving the thread!
Apex Cryos! About $25 for a four string set with shipping.
Hey Guys,
So the Apex Cryos arrived a few days ago. I just put them on and did a quick recording. Please excuse the terrible playing!
If memory serves, these feel very much like Dean Markley Blue Steels. Gauge 45-105. I've read some of the staff of Dean Markley started the company? They definitely feel rougher on my fingers than the DR Hi Beams which wasn't surprising.I find Hi Beams to be very smooth for a stainless steel string. The Apex strings while rougher are not horribly so. Close to the feel of Dunlop Super Bright stainless, maybe? I'm glad to report they don't feel "sticky" or "grabby" as I used to find Dean Markley Blue Steels. They are stiffer than the Hi Beams and I will need to adjust the truss rod just a smidge on my Spector Euro to compensate but I want to wait a day. They feel somewhat flexible. Not as flexible as the Hi Beams which is fine. Sometimes I feel the DR's can be too flexible when I'm digging in. The Apex seem to have more mid content than the Hi Beams and sound grittier or growlier to my ears. More lower mids and mid mids not hi mids like the Hi Beams with less treble extension. The Apex do have a nice "new string" twang to them.
I did have a slight problem trying to find a flat setting on my Euro but I think I'm close. I didn't use any compression or additional EQ or processing, so you are hearing just the bass and the strings. I do a little slap, finger style and some pitiful pick playing. Again this is just a quick, rough recording so be merciful!
Happy New Years all!
Brent
Apex Cryos! About $25 for a four string set with shipping.
Hey Guys,
So the Apex Cryos arrived a few days ago. I just put them on and did a quick recording. Please excuse the terrible playing!
If memory serves, these feel very much like Dean Markley Blue Steels. Gauge 45-105. I've read some of the staff of Dean Markley started the company? They definitely feel rougher on my fingers than the DR Hi Beams which wasn't surprising.I find Hi Beams to be very smooth for a stainless steel string. The Apex strings while rougher are not horribly so. Close to the feel of Dunlop Super Bright stainless, maybe? I'm glad to report they don't feel "sticky" or "grabby" as I used to find Dean Markley Blue Steels. They are stiffer than the Hi Beams and I will need to adjust the truss rod just a smidge on my Spector Euro to compensate but I want to wait a day. They feel somewhat flexible. Not as flexible as the Hi Beams which is fine. Sometimes I feel the DR's can be too flexible when I'm digging in. The Apex seem to have more mid content than the Hi Beams and sound grittier or growlier to my ears. More lower mids and mid mids not hi mids like the Hi Beams with less treble extension. The Apex do have a nice "new string" twang to them.
I did have a slight problem trying to find a flat setting on my Euro but I think I'm close. I didn't use any compression or additional EQ or processing, so you are hearing just the bass and the strings. I do a little slap, finger style and some pitiful pick playing. Again this is just a quick, rough recording so be merciful!
Happy New Years all!
Brent
Brent, nice string review, bro! I downloaded the mp3 okay, but I'm having trouble playing it on the phone. Maybe just me?
