What about Optima?

[Fynn]

I've been thinking about these gold strings for a while. From what I could gather, these were the ones that Entwistle used towards the end of his life. I first took an interest in them because of him, but now I'm just kinda fascinated by the looks.

I wanted to hear some more recent opinions on them. I know I can look at old posts and such, but I have no idea if they ever changed the manufacutering or such in the past 20 something years. And I didn't find many people talk about them recently.
So, is anybody using them?

I've read that some people complained the gold color going away after a short time already. If that is true and a common problem, that would definitely be a deal breaker for me, since I'm not looking to spend 50€ every couple weeks for new Optima strings.

If some of you have some interesting insight from years ago, then I wouldn't mind that either, but I'd like to know more about the quality right now!

 

[HaphAsSard]

I've been thinking about these gold strings for a while. From what I could gather, these were the ones that Entwistle used towards the end of his life. I first took an interest in them because of him, but now I'm just kinda fascinated by the looks.

I wanted to hear some more recent opinions on them. I know I can look at old posts and such, but I have no idea if they ever changed the manufacutering or such in the past 20 something years. And I didn't find many people talk about them recently.
So, is anybody using them?

I've read that some people complained the gold color going away after a short time already. If that is true and a common problem, that would definitely be a deal breaker for me, since I'm not looking to spend 50€ every couple weeks for new Optima strings.

If some of you have some interesting insight from years ago, then I wouldn't mind that either, but I'd like to know more about the quality right now!

The significant event is the introduction of two other lines of Optima Golds.

The problem is it's not easy to figure out what differences there are between the three, and why one should consider one over the others...
(Well, I assume finding German-language reviews of all three lines, by Optima fans with a completist streak, will be less of a problem for you).

For the standard, Optima Gold bass strings, this is what the website has to say:
"Glasklar, stark und knackig im Sound. [...] GOLD STRINGS zeichnen sich durch ein brillantes Klangbild und den typischen SOUND OF GOLD aus, den unter anderem auch John Entwistle liebte."
Which (to whomever else, German-challenged as I am, may concern) machine-translates as
"Crystal clear, strong and crisp in the sound. [...] GOLD STRINGS are characterized by a brilliant sound and the typical SOUND OF GOLD, which John Entwistle also loved."
The corresponding English-language product page adds that
"They carry a wider spectrum of overtones and dynamic range".

Regarding the Unique Studio Bass Gold (offered in a narrower variety of gauges), they mention how
"Der glasklare Ton, das weiche Spielgefühl sowie die warmen prägnanten Obertöne bei lang anhaltendem Sustain vor allem noch in den obersten Lagen, machen diese Saite wirklich einzigartig. Das Optimum für Ihren Basston, ob nun live oder im Studio."
i.e. (more or less)
"The crystal-clear tone, the soft playing feeling and the warm, expressive overtones with long-lasting sustain especially in the upper positions, make this string truly unique. The optimum for your bass sound, whether live or in the studio."

Finally, about the Maxiflex Gold (also with a smaller available selection of sets), they simply state that
"Maximum Sound bei Maximum Flexibilität, die MAXIFLEX GOLD sind flexibler eingestellt."
That is to say
"Maximum sound with maximum flexibility, the MAXIFLEX GOLD are designed to be more flexible."

Crystal-clear...as mud?

 

[Fynn]

The significant event is the introduction of two other lines of Optima Golds.

The problem is it's not easy to figure out what differences there are between the three, and why one should consider one over the others...
(Well, I assume finding German-language reviews of all three lines, by Optima fans with a completist streak, will be less of a problem for you).

For the standard, Optima Gold bass strings, this is what the website has to say:
"Glasklar, stark und knackig im Sound. [...] GOLD STRINGS zeichnen sich durch ein brillantes Klangbild und den typischen SOUND OF GOLD aus, den unter anderem auch John Entwistle liebte."
Which (to whomever else, German-challenged as I am, may concern) machine-translates as
"Crystal clear, strong and crisp in the sound. [...] GOLD STRINGS are characterized by a brilliant sound and the typical SOUND OF GOLD, which John Entwistle also loved."
The corresponding English-language product page adds that
"They carry a wider spectrum of overtones and dynamic range".

Regarding the Unique Studio Bass Gold (offered in a narrower variety of gauges), they mention how
"Der glasklare Ton, das weiche Spielgefühl sowie die warmen prägnanten Obertöne bei lang anhaltendem Sustain vor allem noch in den obersten Lagen, machen diese Saite wirklich einzigartig. Das Optimum für Ihren Basston, ob nun live oder im Studio."
i.e. (more or less)
"The crystal-clear tone, the soft playing feeling and the warm, expressive overtones with long-lasting sustain especially in the upper positions, make this string truly unique. The optimum for your bass sound, whether live or in the studio."

Finally, about the Maxiflex Gold (also with a smaller available selection of sets), they simply state that
"Maximum Sound bei Maximum Flexibilität, die MAXIFLEX GOLD sind flexibler eingestellt."
That is to say
"Maximum sound with maximum flexibility, the MAXIFLEX GOLD are designed to be more flexible."

Crystal-clear...as mud?

I still feel like these marketing product descriptions only make me want to stay away from the respective products. But then I remember that almost any bigger brand does this sort of stuff, and I feel like I shouldn't let my purchasing decision be influenced by them.

On a more interesting note, I just learned that these strings are a good 38% more expensive on the Optima website, compared to Thomann. 52€ on Thomann, but 72€ in the Optima shop. Incredible... Though on the website the selection is way bigger.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I still feel like these marketing product descriptions only make me want to stay away from the respective products. But then I remember that almost any bigger brand does this sort of stuff, and I feel like I shouldn't let my purchasing decision be influenced by them.

On a more interesting note, I just learned that these strings are a good 38% more expensive on the Optima website, compared to Thomann. 52€ on Thomann, but 72€ in the Optima shop. Incredible... Though on the website the selection is way bigger.

Also check SaitenMarkt and Lord of the Strings
Basssaiten Trends und Top-Marken - jetzt günstig bestellen
Lord of the Strings
though SchneiderMusik is the most obvious choice (I believe they own the Optima company, or did, last I checked)
4-string sets

 

[iiipopes]

My only experience with Optima is with the RB set, the spiritual successor to the OEM Maxima flats that were supplied to Rickenbacker. That set nails that tone exactly. Then again, Sir Macca is why I play bass.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I absolutely love the Optima Chromes (flats). I also love the high-end quality of the Optima RBs, even though the gauges turned out to be slightly too light/floppy for my playing style.

But the Optima Gold roundwounds... I found them stiff, inarticulate and rather muddy sounding. I didn't hear that "glasklare ton" they talk about AT ALL. These Golds somehow managed to sound both muddy in the lower frequency range and kinda harsh in the higher frequencies at the same time. They were so bad that I almost suspected I had gotten a faulty set. But with ALL the strings sounding that way? That seems very unlikely. Probably the worst set of roundwounds I've ever played. At least for MY taste and anywhere near this price range!

FWIW, I tested them on an Ibanez Premium SR2600 with Nordstrand Big Singles. This is not my favorite bass/pickups, which may be part of the picture, but I've never found this bass muddy or inarticulate with any other strings. I didn't even bother trying the strings on a different bass. They were so far off my idea of a good tone/feel that they went straight into the thrash. A total waste of money. Which was very surprising after my good experiences with Optima's flats.

I tested the "standard" Optima Golds btw. But I won't be trying any of the others anytime soon.

Keep in mind that we all have different taste. I'm sure there's someone out there who will love these Optima Golds.

 

[Fynn]

I absolutely love the Optima Chromes (flats). I also love the high-end quality of the Optima RBs, even though the gauges turned out to be slightly too light/floppy for my playing style.

But the Optima Gold roundwounds... I found them stiff, inarticulate and rather muddy sounding. I didn't hear that "glasklare ton" they talk about AT ALL. These Golds somehow managed to sound both muddy in the lower frequency range and kinda harsh in the higher frequencies at the same time. They were so bad that I almost suspected I had gotten a faulty set. But with ALL the strings sounding that way? That seems very unlikely. Probably the worst set of roundwounds I've ever played. At least for MY taste and anywhere near this price range!

FWIW, I tested them on an Ibanez Premium SR2600 with Nordstrand Big Singles. This is not my favorite bass/pickups, which may be part of the picture, but I've never found this bass muddy or inarticulate with any other strings. I didn't even bother trying the strings on a different bass. They were so far off my idea of a good tone/feel that they went straight into the thrash. A total waste of money. Which was very surprising after my good experiences with Optima's flats.

I tested the "standard" Optima Golds btw. But I won't be trying any of the others anytime soon.

Keep in mind that we all have different taste. I'm sure there's someone out there who will love these Optima Golds.

My tolerance for strings is quite big. I mostly choose strings based on feel. But I've heard people complain about the gold guitar strings too.
Maybe you really have to have a bass that compliments the strings, or they just sound so out of the ordinary, that it's not pleasant in most situations.
Now I'm wondering if the gold strings of Entwistles time were just different. Though I must say that I'm not a huge fan of his tone from that era either. But I never thought that it sounded actually bad.

 

[tom-g]

I’ve been using Optima Gold for years. I don’t hear anything near what was described before. To me Optima Gold strings sound similar to Ernie Ball with better feel and articulation.

 

[Fynn]

I’ve been using Optima Gold for years. I don’t hear anything near what was described before. To me Optima Gold strings sound similar to Ernie Ball with better feel and articulation.

Do you use exclusively golds, or just on some basses? And on what kind of basses do you use them, if you don't mind me asking

 

[tom-g]

On all. A Squier Contemporary 5 (heavily modded), Ibanez EHB 1505 MS and my main bass Fame Baphomet 5 (built by Mayones).