Double Bass What D'Addario strings would you choose for free?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I have a student who just texted me to let me know that she is out of state at a function where she is being offered some free D'Addario strings as a promotion and wanting to know what strings I would recommend. I told her that both i and the classical teacher at my school are Thomastik players, but that I would ask around. She plays both arco and pizz styles, but has two separate basses. What would you guys recommend for either or both styles from this company?

 

[Sam Dingle]

Get the Zyex medium and/or light strings. The Hellicore strings I'm not a fan of.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Kaplans for the arco bass. Trust me. Josephine hooked me up with a tester set and they COMPLETELY changed my opinion of their products.

 

[Johnny L]

Doesn't Lynn Seaton use zyex now for his do-it-all strings?

 

[bassmastan]

Zyex are amazing strings, I would also entertain the thought of kaplans for arco. Kaplans are a really good dark arco string, and their pizz sound is a little gutty, you could try helicore hybrids, im not a fan at all

 

[lcpierce]

Zyex and Kaplans are great. I've been really impressed with both of them.

 

[rickwolff]

OK, I'll be the odd man out... I currently have Zyez medium G and D. I still have the Helicore Hybrid Light A which I felt no need to change, it blends well with the Zyez G and D (the HH G and D were getting a bit tired and I wanted to try the Zyex).

I like the Zyez for pizz but I think the HH Lights bow better. I find the Zyez D med to be a little harder to start under the bow and probably not quite as warm sounding as the HH. I'll probably go back the the HH Lights after a while as they seem a better string for combo pizz and arco.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I also like the Zyex string better than the Helicores.

- Steve

 

[Anonymatt]

Seconding Kaplans. Great for arco. Good pizz sound too, but not so loud, at least on my bass.

 

[clclark]

I'm not a huge fan of helicores, but would love to try Zyex or Kaplan. I've heard great things about those two.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I assumed this was for jazz playing. I hear great things about the Kaplan strings for arco. Some would say the heavy version of those.

 

[Mr Ralph]

The set up on my Kay is zyex medium G&D. Hybrid medium on the A, Spiro weich E. Kaplans are by far superior to any of the others for Arco and richness and warmth of sound. They however have very little growl or sustain when played Pizz. I found the Kaplan G to be a good compromise but missed the growl and went back to the Zyex. I know some of the guys I think Eric being one said the Zyex lights bow easier. I have never tried them. If I thought my bass would sound anywhere near as wonderful as yours does Chris I would run out and buy Dominants. But alas I do no think my old
Kay and my skill would produce the same awesome sound as yours.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Kaplans for the arco bass. Trust me. Josephine hooked me up with a tester set and they COMPLETELY changed my opinion of their products.

agreed!
I use Kaplans with gut on my Cleveland and Helicore hybrids on my folding bass, both light gauge. When the Helicores die, Kaplans will go on the Chadwick too.
Go for the Kaplans, they bow beautifully and the pizz is really nice.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Kaplans pizzed, on the old German carved I had them on, were great for dub. I didn't much like them for other styles. Maybe it's just me.

When the Flex 92s on the Solano go, I'll have to think seriously about replacing them with another set, or with Kaplans. That bass is glorious under the stick. But I can't help but wonder if the Kaplan magic will make it even better.

No wonder I don't have any damn money.

 

[ColonelZulu]

Zyex

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Kaplans are the default string at the shop and I've installed them on hundreds of basses. I also use Helicore orchestras on some basses, mainly plywoods and hybrids. The Kaplans are definitely darker with a shorter attack and they are easy to bow. They are dark and lack that certain character that Evah Pirazzis have which sounds more interesting to me. They are a good value.

 

[Ric5]

What D'Addario strings would you choose for free?

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Zyex lights are awesome. Mine are over 4 years old and they are staying until one breaks.

 

[Vertigo Jones]

Whatta lucky girl! Zyex medium gauge if the choice were mine.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the great recommendations, everyone! She's already got a set of Bel Cantos for arco, so I think I'll recommend the Zyex medium for her jazz bass.