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What’s your favorite Stainless string????

#101
Dincrest said:
Sounds like something right up my alley.

I actually have steel Lo-Riders on my LTD D-5 and somehow that bass and string combination imparts a viciously aggressive metal tone that's a little too aggressive for the more multi-faceted playing I do. I'd want to try Dunlop "black box" nickels on that one.

Go figure, the SuperBright steels I have on my LTD F-205 are too timid sounding for me. The dead D'Addario ProSteels it had on it when I purchased it sounded better to me. So it sounds like the Dunlop "black box" steels may suit me and that bass better.
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If you have esp electronics in the f205 and you're sounding too sterile with super brights you'll like the black box Dunlops. Another string that would suit you is dean markley blue steel. They got my Warwick sounding the best I've had since I started trying strings. Some basses do better with neutral strings and some like certain character strings. I love Ken Smith rockmasters but certain basses they just don't hit right with the pickups. Others it brings out the special character of the pickups and it works perfectly.
 
#102
Thanks for the additional insight. My F-205 is an early 2000s one with EMG-HZ pickups and an ESP preamp.

My D-5 has ESP electronics, but has the merbau body so it has characteristics similar to a Warwick I used to own.

I definitely plan to try Dunlop "black box" strings when my basses are due for setups this year.
 
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#105
Root 5 said:
In no particular order: La Bella RX stainless steels
La Bella Stainless Steel Series ( formerly Hard Rockin' Steels )
La Bella Super Steps
GHS Super Steels.
All excellent.
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Hey @Root 5

Happy holidays!

I chanced upon one of your posts in 2019 where you listed some of your favorite Stainless Steels.

I can't help but noticed you listed GHS Super Steels as one of your fav. I feel that it doesn't get enough love here on TalkBass. It's one of my favorite strings - I just loved how they have that warm, low-mid punch without the zingy overtones despite being an SS. I'm curious, how does the LaBella RX Steel compare tonally to it?

One thing I didn't really like about the GHS Super Steels was that it sounded a little bit airy/hollow after awhile - it has this honky characteristic which I am not sure is an SS thing.
 
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#107
gluewithuhu said:
Hey @Root 5

Happy holidays!

I chanced upon one of your posts in 2019 where you listed some of your favorite Stainless Steels.

I can't help but noticed you listed GHS Super Steels as one of your fav. I feel that it doesn't get enough love here on TalkBass. It's one of my favorite strings - I just loved how they have that warm, low-mid punch without the zingy overtones despite being an SS. I'm curious, how does the LaBella RX Steel compare tonally to it?

One thing I didn't really like about the GHS Super Steels was that it sounded a little bit airy/hollow after awhile - it has this honky characteristic which I am not sure is an SS thing.
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Ive played multiple sets of Ken Smith strings which are ghs super steels but custom spec. Also have played RX stainless. The biggest difference i notice is that LaBella rx sound a little bit fatter and have a little bit more flex than the ken smith ghs while those are a bit brighter. Id absolutely recommend either or both and i think they both can be dialed in to do a lot of things. If you want a fatter meaty deep growly string go RX LaBella. If you want more brightness and zingy high end ghs would do better. Caveat here is the ghs will fatten up as they settle in but they still don't get as thick and growly as RX. Hope thats helpful.
 
#108
GTHintz said:
Ive played multiple sets of Ken Smith strings which are ghs super steels but custom spec. Also have played RX stainless. The biggest difference i notice is that LaBella rx sound a little bit fatter and have a little bit more flex than the ken smith ghs while those are a bit brighter. Id absolutely recommend either or both and i think they both can be dialed in to do a lot of things. If you want a fatter meaty deep growly string go RX LaBella. If you want more brightness and zingy high end ghs would do better. Caveat here is the ghs will fatten up as they settle in but they still don't get as thick and growly as RX. Hope thats helpful.
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Thanks for this. Sounds like the RX is exactly what I am looking for tonally.

In terms of feel (texture), how would you describe the RX in comparison to Super Steels. I always thought that the Super Steels were smooth-feeling (which I loved) especially when compared to the Rotosound Swing 66 and D'Addario Prosteels.
 
#109
gluewithuhu said:
Thanks for this. Sounds like the RX is exactly what I am looking for tonally.

In terms of feel (texture), how would you describe the RX in comparison to Super Steels. I always thought that the Super Steels were smooth-feeling (which I loved) especially when compared to the Rotosound Swing 66 and D'Addario Prosteels.
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LaBellas are pretty supple and smooth. Im a bad judge of smoothness because ive never found strings too rough. If you're looking for deep punchy strings i think RX and Dean Markley Blue Steels are the 2 best for that I've found.
 
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#111
eriky4003 said:
@GTHinz, any idea who is making Dean Markley Blue Steels these days)
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Thats a great question! Contrary to some of the complaints about bad qc I've had a couple new sets that were all great. Unless they are building them in house at thier Glendale AZ address I'm really not sure. To me i could see them going through la bella or one of the bigger guy's warehouse or maybe they have a special deal with a lesser known string builder somewhere
 
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#112
GTHintz said:
LaBellas are pretty supple and smooth. Im a bad judge of smoothness because ive never found strings too rough. If you're looking for deep punchy strings i think RX and Dean Markley Blue Steels are the 2 best for that I've found.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help. I ordered a couple of sets and they arrived last night. I’m loving these strings and am a convert! It has the qualities I love from the GHS without that nasally/honky characteristic that I dislike.

Feels supple without being floppy. They feel so easy to play like the GHS but with a more growly bottom end (as per your description!). I LOVE THESE STRINGS - thank you!
 
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#113
Rotosound 66’s since early 70’s for me. I get them on sale and pay around $17.00 USD average . So I use a new set every show and the price is right. Some brands players like here cost a bit more and if I’m changing a lot then…….. happy hunting
 
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#114
gluewithuhu said:
Thanks for your help. I ordered a couple of sets and they arrived last night. I’m loving these strings and am a convert! It has the qualities I love from the GHS without that nasally/honky characteristic that I dislike.

Feels supple without being floppy. They feel so easy to play like the GHS but with a more growly bottom end (as per your description!). I LOVE THESE STRINGS - thank you!
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Im glad you found your string! Right now i have my top 5 and whats great is knowing that these are all a safe bet for me.
 
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