What bass strings are you using and why?

[lokikallas]

Hi beams and sunbeams. That round core FTW

 

[Rib 13]

Roundwounds ---- Brand: Whatever is on sale ( I change them when newness starts to go away which means I change them very often)

Reasoning: I can tone down zingy brightness on new rounds if needed but I cant dial in zingy brightness on broken-in flatwounds if needed

 

[comatosedragon]

Sunbeams.
Why? The amazing supple feel and warm yet aggressive punch.

The feel / texture / tension of Sunbeams (100-40) is unmatched IMHO.

 

[factory presets]

Currently

My first BEAD. Wasn't sure how the neck would go. So I went for a low tension set. Probably go low riders next change.

Used halfrounds for the sound about since they came out. Always found the swing bass a bit bright for my taste. Halfs were a good GP alternative. Used Dads until I discovered Low Riders. Then I became a fanboy. Nowadays the halfs are going out of fashion. Gone completely from the DR range. Might be a good idea to have a plan b against the day I can't get anymore. After reading this thread I'm thinking flats on one bass and low riders on another. Always been a 1 bass type of guy. Might've developed some thinking habits. But I could choose a bass to suit the gig and probably sound better than my one bass fits all approach.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Currently GHS Pressurewounds on my #1 atm (classic stingray). They aren’t tough on the fingers and have a great growl to them. Once the D’addarios go dull in my SR2605, I’ll probably but a set on that too.

 

[40Hz]

I have different strings on everything I own. I try to match the strings to the bass to get what I consider is the best from each.

Perennial favorites are:

Rotosound Swing Bass
DR Sunbeams
TI Jazz Flats
GHS Pressurewounds
LaBella Copper White Nylon
D’Addario EXL280 Piccolo Bass

 

[Mili]

Elixir stainless steel. Because it's like Terminator.

 

[IamJohn]

Kalium Hybrid balanced sets at ~35lbs tension on all of my basses.

• Balanced tension is comfortable to me and makes playing horizontally across the fretboard feel even.
• Tapered
• They last a while

 

[steveinohio]

Boomers. They were cheap and I bought a ton.

 

[flatrat]

La Bella's Deep Talkin' flats. I like the feel of flats and don't like the string noise of rounds.

 

[Deleted member 261632]

Ernie Balls cobalts: smooth feel, tighest b-string (outside of steel strings or steel cables), and they have a nice top-mid grind to them that makes them sit quite nicely in the mix (metal)

 

[Leo Thunder]

I buy unused stock Fender that people have replaced with something fancier. I get them cheap and they make bass sounds.

 

[project_c]

Love DR HiBeams on a jazz, I’m about to try the short scale version on my Atelier Z shortie, hopefully they’ll work just as well on that. Reason: perfect tension and tone, they last long and they sound good when they’re dead too.

Also love D’Addario tapes on a P or PJ, they’re the nicest strings I’ve ever played, but they’re not for everyone. They have a very particular sound. I also want to try the short scale version of those on the Atelier Z, if the HiBeams are too bright I’m getting the tapes on there for sure.
The Atelier Z short scale rounds are also nice, but I don’t think they’ll be easy to get hold of once the current set dies.

 

[BassoSaku]

Rotosounds, mainly RS66LD Swing bass (Gauges: 045", 065", 080", 105") and D'Addario XL Chromes for flats.

 

[amphlett7]

I've tried a bunch but my favourites are both the Round and Flat version of the Sadowsky blue label strings.

 

[Lagado]

I like lower tension strings, I've always liked the modulation on some synth bass lines so I try and replicate that. Plus I use a much lighter slap technique these days, trying to play on the thumb what I play with the fingers. That means working the thumb and index on the same string quite a bit of the time. I've used Bass Centre Elites Stadium S/S 40-100 for about 25 years. Every pack has been as consistent as the last, never had a duff string. Not bad on life either.

 

[bassliner50]

They are still available: Blue Steel™ Bass Strings

These were unavailable for some time. They were no longer manufactured. (They last a long time. I used #2676 mediums) So they are back again?

 

[crucislancer]

Here's the string type for each of my basses at the moment:

Geddy Lee Jazz - Rotosound RS66LF rounds
Nate Mendel Precision - Fender 9050L flats
Precision Deluxe - Fender 7250M NPS rounds
Am. Performer Jazz - GHS Balanced Nickels 4M-NB rounds
FrankenFender Jazz - Fender 7250M NPS rounds

I have a new set of Fender 9050L flats that will most likely go on the FrankenFender, but thinking about seeing how they sound on the Am. Performer Jazz. Up until a couple of months ago I was using bulk NPS rounds from Juststrings.com. They sounded good for the most part, but after about a year of those I decided to test out other options. I had a set of Ernie Ball Slinky rounds on the Am. Performer Jazz for a bit, might go back to those at some point as well.

 

[Angus Walker]

Have been using this brand for a good couple of years now.

 

[Vinny_G]

These were unavailable for some time. They were no longer manufactured. (They last a long time. I used #2676 mediums) So they are back again?

Yes, but some say their quality has decreased. I can't confirm or deny this because I haven't tried them in a long time.
More info here:
Dean Markley SR2000 QC issues?
what happpened to Dean Markley bass strings. Blue Steel?