• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Types of Bass String you use and why

What types of bass string do you use? (Multiple choice)

  • Total voters
    449
#61
I used to use DR Drangon Skins because my hands sweat, but I play with a pick and the coating wears off after a few weeks of playing and they go dead.

Recently, my local shop was out of them so I tried nickel Elixir's. They've still got the fresh zing after 2 months and a few live shows. They're my new go to string.
 
#62
I started on EB regular slinkys about 22 years ago. I've tried quite a few brands over the years. Dunlop super brites were nice, but went dead quickly. Same with my EB slinkys be it regulars or supers. I liked the Dr hi beams but the E went dull rather quick. D'addario XLs seemed to be very hit or miss on brightness and longevity. I keep flats on a few at home and my fretless but they don't get played live. Then I tried EB cobalt slinkys. They stay bright for such a long time. I play a very gainy grindy style in the band im in (ska/punk/hardcore, Working Class Stiffs if ya wanna try it out) and there's just no match for em. Only downside is over the years I've broke a few playing live. But they are killer on any pick up configuration I've used.
 
#64
I've been using D'addario XL nickels for quite a while now, but as I move to 30" scale, I'm looking for other options. I've got a set of cut down XLs on my Mustang and they work, but lack the zing they have at 34. Once I work out my control configuration and pickups, I'll start looking for strings made for 30" scale top load basses.
 
#65
I use nickel rounds, 45-105.

I like rounds because flats sound too muffled, and feel too sticky and stiff.

I like nickel because stainless sounds too harsh.

I like 45-105 because a thicker set doesn't have enough snap on the high strings and thinner gauges lack the bass on lower strings.

I have no experience with pressure-balanced sets (or whatever they're called) yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dust2Dust and Vinny_G
#66
Jazz Bass - Fender Flatwounds, my g is a chrome however because of a stupid mistake of my when changing them. I also have some stored DR High Beams which I love. I also have my old chromes still for another bass one day, I plan to buy Nylon Tapewounds for some type of fretless bass that is expensive because why not? :)
 
#68
Rolling Thunder said:
I go for flats that if you painted them red could be used on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Click to expand...
Golden Gate Bridge cables are rounds :p

0a3e3cd460d3117126c88dd54085e3b3.jpg


They probably inspired this set :smug:

81ktEucnyEL._AC_SX425_.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MYLOWFREQ, Rolling Thunder, Green Hornet and 1 other person
#69
TI Flats on my P-Bass (I probably don't need to be another person to preach the gospel of this combination)

Apex Traditional Cryos Stainless Steel on my Stingray5. I tried these strings on a whim, and they turned out to be great on a Stingray. The Stingray already has a massive mid-presence, so the stainless steel really gave it an awesome low boost and high boost. On top of that, these strings keep that "nearly-new tone" about twice as long as DR Hi Beams (which surprised me).
 
#71
Vinny_G said:
If you're talking about Balanced Tension strings, you should try them, I'm sure you'd be thrilled. These tick all your boxes (and mine if only they were stainless steel):
[This invalid link has been removed]
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! Is there a nickel version of this? I should give it a try either way.
 
#76
I started with D'Addario EXL165 at the recommendation of my friend's dad who is also a bassist. These strings did me well for a long time, until one day I bought a Prosteel set, EPS165, on a whim. The bass sounded so much better in my opinion, it was a bit more aggressive sounding and overall I liked the brighter sound. The only difference these days is that I spend most of my time with a five string so I have the EPS165-5. Overall, I like a brighter string because it's far easier to warm up a bright string than it is to brighten up a warmer sounding string. I can be as aggressive or as mellow sounding as I want by changing from my pick to fingers and adjusting the tone knob, making my bass a one size fits all situations solution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1960jbass, Dust2Dust and Vinny_G
#77
I use DR's for roundwounds, Sun Beams are my favorite (though I use Pure Blues and Hi-Beams sometimes as well). Always medium gauge. When I started playing rounds I would just buy strings I hadn't used before until I came across the DR Sun Beams and never looked back. No in-depth reason, Just simply love the feel and tone.

For my flats, I use La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass. My first bass was a 1977 Fender P that my uncle handed down to me and those are are the strings he had on it (along with killer Lollar vintage P Pups). I learned to play on that bass, on those strings, and wouldn't dare even try anything else haha.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back