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I was a DR Sunbeam 40-95 user for ages.I tried a lot of strings trying to find something that worked better for me that wasn't going to be too expensive.I switched to Kallium a year ago and don't see my self going back to DRs anytime soon.the Kallium hybrid strings feel better,sound great and cost less than the ol sunbeams.
I have DDT's right now and they survived my 20 degree F gig the other day without going out of tune. I checked them earlier today and they were only off a hair.
I like DR hi beams and SS lo riders 50-110 + 135. I've had DDT's for a few days and I like them, so far.
I like trying new strings, but I recently came to the the conclusion that my favorite brands are Rotosound and D'Adarrio. I probably won't bother spending time and money on others, I've tried plenty and I'm very satisfied with those brands.
WRT strings:
Favorite brand: Ken Smith. I use steels, but I've used nickels for long periods of time. I find them easier on the frets, but the brightness goes out faster. I have a new set of Fodera strings that I'm interested in trying, when the current stings wear out on one of the basses.
Gauge: 45-105. B string is .125 on 35" basses and 130 on 34"s. Note: I use taper core on all my B stings, which cuts down available brands. This is why my go to is Ken Smith. Currently experimenting with Smith's lighter gauge A and E strings. Kinda fun!
Discontinued set? Not that I can think of.
Favorite thing about strings? A new set can totally change my creative mood. Just did two weeks of recording and gigging with new strings and really noticed a difference in my playing due to the inspiring sound.
Two other notes wrt strings: I still use Rotosound swing bass on my Rick 4003. Just seems to fit. I also use Rotos on my 8 string. Same story.
I use phosphor bronze strings on the ABG.
I don't use flats. Ever. Not even on a fretless. Can't abide.
Favorite brand: Ken Smith. I use steels, but I've used nickels for long periods of time. I find them easier on the frets, but the brightness goes out faster. I have a new set of Fodera strings that I'm interested in trying, when the current stings wear out on one of the basses.
Gauge: 45-105. B string is .125 on 35" basses and 130 on 34"s. Note: I use taper core on all my B stings, which cuts down available brands. This is why my go to is Ken Smith. Currently experimenting with Smith's lighter gauge A and E strings. Kinda fun!
Discontinued set? Not that I can think of.
Favorite thing about strings? A new set can totally change my creative mood. Just did two weeks of recording and gigging with new strings and really noticed a difference in my playing due to the inspiring sound.
Two other notes wrt strings: I still use Rotosound swing bass on my Rick 4003. Just seems to fit. I also use Rotos on my 8 string. Same story.
I use phosphor bronze strings on the ABG.
I don't use flats. Ever. Not even on a fretless. Can't abide.
For me yeah, it was a very deep overwhelming tone. Although, when the bridge pickup was favored, the tone down there was fantastic. Just when the neck pickup was used it was boom city
I have tried a lot of different brands over the years. In my formative years i was playing Dean Markley Blue Steels. Then eventually I went to DR, who I have been playing ever since.
in the past 2 years I did experiment with flats, TI, then DR, then D'addario, then back to TI. Right now I have 4 basses, one strung with GHS pressurewounds, 2 with TI Jazz Flats (one fretted, one fretless) and one strung with DR Blue Steels. The bass with DRs gets about 90% of my gigs.
in the past 2 years I did experiment with flats, TI, then DR, then D'addario, then back to TI. Right now I have 4 basses, one strung with GHS pressurewounds, 2 with TI Jazz Flats (one fretted, one fretless) and one strung with DR Blue Steels. The bass with DRs gets about 90% of my gigs.
Fender nickel-plated rounds so that my bass always reminds me why I bought it in the first place. 45-65-85-105 to help achieve a more balanced string volume on my flat-pole pickups.
I guess it would be Rotosound, since I've used them the longest (16 years so far) though they aren't the only string company that I like or use. All three of my basses have different brands and types of strings. Right now I am using Rotosound RS66LF SS roundwounds (45-105 gauge with a 85 A string), D'Addario XL165 Nickel roundwounds (45-105), and Optima Nickel Flatwounds (45-100).
I use 45-65-85-105 as my go-to gauges. Some manufacturers call that medium, others medium light, and still others regular. The only set of strings that I have that aren't that size are the set of Optima flatwounds I have on one of my Jazz basses, they only offer 45-100 for their flatwound.
That's a good question, one that I actually haven't thought about too often. I'm usually pretty happy with what I'm using, especially Rotosound, though they certainly aren't perfect. As long as I get the tone I want, I don't really have much to complain about. If a string doesn't perform for me the way I want it, I won't go back to it.
Changing strings is an easy, quick and inexpensive way to profoundly transform the sound of any bass and I enjoy that. I like the light gauge DR strings very much but I try all sorts of brands and makes because I can
This right here. I can't really spend money on new basses, new electronics or new amplifiers, but a $20-$40 pack of strings can change EVERYTHING. And if I don't like it, it's as easy as switching to something new or something I like.
After a long love affair with flats, I've come back to rounds. I just had a set of Dunlop Super Bright Nickel 40-100 on my Schecter Raiden Special-4 which were marvelous. Two days ago I put a set of Super Bright Stainless Steel 40-100 on that bass and I'm really enjoying those, too.
With all of the different materials, wrap varieties, gauges, tensions, etc there is just so much available to sample. No other piece of equipment excites me more than a new set of strings and I suspect it will stay that way for a long time.
D’Addario XL165’s 45-65-85-105 been using them for years and i have tried many different but always come back to XL's
Yes, a small english company called Newtone Strings. Which can make customized sets without turning too expensive. They can mix Hex Core and Round Core within set, to even out tension balance and tone balance. And make different lengths of double ball end strings.
But they're only over the internet. Otherwise, Frankly any major company will do. Actually. If push comes to shove. The right gauge and alloy is more important than the actual brand.
None. Actually. On guitar there is, but it's more a "model" than brand.
Depends completely. One can't say that as a rule becuase the wrap-to-core ratio is almost just as important. I e the total gauge tells me nothing. And it is dependent too on what scale the bass is made of, and what purpose. General bass (bread and butter) at 34 " scale, is like 045-105. On thick E I don't want to go above 110, and not below 100 but it all depends on a number of factors. By and large I want the core to be thicker too, as you go along the strings gauges. On funky things I would go lower in gauge, light gauge, and if 60's motown's needen with flatwounds I don't mind going thicker or heavy gauge.
There's such a jungle already out there, that I find it incredible that a beginner can make the right choice as it is now. It's a fluke if you hit a home run with a string set that suits all of your tastes as well as longevity. There's roundwound, halfwound, flatwound, on hex core/round core, coated, plated, taper wound, open core, on top of this different alloys, pure nickel, stainless steel, nickel plated, unobtanium, gold plating (maxima)...you name it. As not to speak of "even tension" where the core is of different thickness. It's a major feat to try to combine all these factors into a set that suits you fine. And I've probably forgot to mention just as many other variables*. So no. I would love to that there be no more additional options to any bass strings. I don't want to waste wallet in the neverending quest for some perfect string.
Well, ok then, you asked for it. A string that never ever breaks or wears. And retains their clarity. for MY lifetime.
... that'll be the day...* yes, tapewound, nylon black ones, pressurewound, cryogenic freeze, Dean Markley elliptic wound...let's list all variants in a post or thread.
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The one thing I would like to see is every company putting out tension charts so we can choose more wisely. Only D'Addario, Thomastik, and GHS publish this for all of their sets. I wish LaBella, DR, Dunlop, and others would jump on board.
Nothing excites me about strings.
I do have a favourite string company-Newtonestrings.
They wind custom sets ,which I like.
I like open core round core steel strings.
