Thomastik-Infeld JF344 flats were a game changer for me. I have some basses strung up with the usual suspects (chromes, labella, fender) and had tried D'Addario half-rounds, and they're all great but the TIs immediately gave me the sound and touch that I want. I wish they were cheaper, and I don't know how long they will last, but I love them. They make me want to play bass.
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I could have written the same post
In fact, I used to kind of enjoy trying different strings looking for that magical string but that all ended with Dunlop Super Brights. Darn it Dunlop! SuperBright nickels are the only string I've ever used that sound equally good on any bass. At one time I had six different string sets for six different basses. Now they all just get SuperBright Nickels!
I got really excited when i first strung up TI Flats and started to play, then i got even more excited when I tuned em down to B standard. I love the smooth feel of those babies and the super low tension, which of course is even lower when they're tuned down. They're like an electric equivalent to gut strings. They feel like heaven, the sound is incredible, I'll never change them if i can help it (and i don't see them breaking any time soon)
Hey, Chuck. Thanks, but I was trying to get the Dark Horse phone number from their website so I could call them; but no website meant no phone number.
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Standard Gauge. Stainless Steel .45 .65 .80 .105 on both my Fenders. One Standard tuning and one Drop D.
Kalium Strings .110 balanced set is my go to set.
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110.5, 82, 61, 45 feels really natural. I got really tired of floppy E strings, but the tension is not un-familiar with the 45 on the G. I've got this particular set on almost half of my basses.
Kalium's steel/nickel combination sounds great, resonates well, and the tapering provides no issues with nuts or bridge slots/saddles. The only thing is they're not designed for string-thru use.
After that, I like D'Addario's balanced Nickel XL rounds and Sadowsky Black Label Nickels.
For flats, always used Chromes. However I just got a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats that everyone has been raving about... haven't put them on a bass yet though!
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110.5, 82, 61, 45 feels really natural. I got really tired of floppy E strings, but the tension is not un-familiar with the 45 on the G. I've got this particular set on almost half of my basses.
Kalium's steel/nickel combination sounds great, resonates well, and the tapering provides no issues with nuts or bridge slots/saddles. The only thing is they're not designed for string-thru use.
After that, I like D'Addario's balanced Nickel XL rounds and Sadowsky Black Label Nickels.
For flats, always used Chromes. However I just got a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats that everyone has been raving about... haven't put them on a bass yet though!
okcrum
in your chest
Hey, Chuck. Thanks, but I was trying to get the Dark Horse phone number from their website so I could call them; but no website meant no phone number.
Ah! Looks like the site is totally down from a hack or sometthing.
Here ya go: (610) 682-6644
My goodness! Never thought about string tension in lbs. You play Djent influenced music?
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I use Thomastik flats. If they don't work on a bass, I just get rid of the bass. They mean that much to me.
You guys are bringing many names that I've liked and tried. I almost totally forgot about coated strings. Really liked some Elixirs one time.
Another thing. I've noticed how Dunlop edged in on some of DR's action. I wonder if Dunlop makes their own strings. Wouldn't it be funny if DR made them OEM?
Another thing. I've noticed how Dunlop edged in on some of DR's action. I wonder if Dunlop makes their own strings. Wouldn't it be funny if DR made them OEM?
TI flats are truly something. A medium set comes stock on the Fender Pino Signature. Softest, most even strings maybe in existence!
I can say what I dislike about strings, the cost and variety means it can take forever to find what you like, only to have it change again. You never know how much better another string can be until you try it. Although I think most would agree that the average person will barely notice a difference, enough don't notice the bass anyways.
I tend to stay with mediums. Flats are great for some things. I've got some DR flats on one bass. Trying some cobalts on my 5, they seem pretty twangy even after using them for awhile but they do Play nice.
I tend to stay with mediums. Flats are great for some things. I've got some DR flats on one bass. Trying some cobalts on my 5, they seem pretty twangy even after using them for awhile but they do Play nice.
Dunlop.
None.
Light. I use 40-100 but I would probably try to go lighter if I could get Dunlop Super Bright Nickels in a 35-95 gauge.
Flounds. Rounds that sound like flats. Dead Super Bright Nickels get the closest to it that I've gotten, but I want the sound of flats even though I greatly prefer the feel of rounds.
In the end, you need to pick out the strings that are best for you, and not worry what anyone else likes. I do, however, recommend giving those Super Bright Nickels a shot
DA'ddario is my go to choice. I really like the coated nickels and build my own sets from BSO to emulate the Balanced Tension sets. I will bounce back and forth between coated and uncoated nickels but always go for a balanced set. The 40lb - 42lb range works well for me on my bass (35" scale 5er).
Dunlop indeed does make their own strings right there in their own factory. But their string designer did used to work at DR.
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