"Nylon strings" are tapewounds. There are a handful of companies that make those. They're like flatwounds, but a nylon ribbon winding instead of a metal one.
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What got me excited recently was discovering Ernie Ball Slinky (Cobalt) flatwounds. I've never been a fan of flats but these changed my mind. They're great on my P-bass and should be even better on my upcoming fretless.
Rotosound BS66's for my stereo Precision, DR Highbeams for my Jazz (and most everything else).
The only thing I dislike about the Rotos is they lose their zing way too fast. If I could combine the gauge choice and sound of the Rotos with the durability of the DR's I would have my perfect string.
The only thing I dislike about the Rotos is they lose their zing way too fast. If I could combine the gauge choice and sound of the Rotos with the durability of the DR's I would have my perfect string.
Do you have a favorite string company?
For rounds, it's DR. For flats, GHS
Which discontinued set or defunct brand are you most bummed about?
Fender original formula, I LOVED their stainless and nickel rounds
What gauge of strings do you prefer? Light? Medium? Heavy? Regular?
Regular, but I do like SLIGHTLY heavier for flats...meatier sound.
What do you want to see in a set that hasn't been offered yet?
Can't really think of anything. Interesting question though...I guess choice of silk ends or more taper-wound options on strings?
For rounds, it's DR. For flats, GHS
Which discontinued set or defunct brand are you most bummed about?
Fender original formula, I LOVED their stainless and nickel rounds
What gauge of strings do you prefer? Light? Medium? Heavy? Regular?
Regular, but I do like SLIGHTLY heavier for flats...meatier sound.
What do you want to see in a set that hasn't been offered yet?
Can't really think of anything. Interesting question though...I guess choice of silk ends or more taper-wound options on strings?
I've been using Curt Mangan nickel-wounds for several years now. They feel good. Someday I may even figure out what "fusion-matched" actually means.
I like ernie ball super slinkys. I change them out every few months. I've tried some others but i know i like the EB's and I dont mind changing them out when they start getting muddy. When i get to where I can't play as fast, I definitely change them. Usually, i change them before they get that bad though.
I like a bright sound because it helps me cut through the mix. My band plays metal with heavy guitar and drums. Anything heavier and i would likely get buried.
I like a bright sound because it helps me cut through the mix. My band plays metal with heavy guitar and drums. Anything heavier and i would likely get buried.
And if you think there's only one manufacturer, or a few, then that myth has to be debunked. In US alone there's at least 30-40 companies, from major huge ones, to cottage industry that really makes their own strings. Really, it's no rocket science! However these large ones and others may outsource some line when they got slack capacity. So there are at least 20-30 companies more, that doesn't make them themselves, and does them by name only. Say Sfarzo strings was made by someone else I think.
Mostly this has to do with import customs and fees for steel. It is best to keep the steel needed for strings inside the US, and keep Europes Steel within Europe, and Asian steel within Asia. Rotosound makes their strings of Swedish steel though, but that's within EU. Unecessarily pricey.
Mostly this has to do with import customs and fees for steel. It is best to keep the steel needed for strings inside the US, and keep Europes Steel within Europe, and Asian steel within Asia. Rotosound makes their strings of Swedish steel though, but that's within EU. Unecessarily pricey.
Without sifting through 8 pages of replies I see I might be one of the few who is in love with Elixirs. I usually play the mediums. The coated strings really do last so much longer. The other coated brands I've tried just sounded too muted or weak. The elixirs have the zing and it last 3-4x longer than the other rounds I play. Now if they would come down from nearly 40 a set I'd be extra happy!
love the rotosound nexus strings, but I've been playing DR black beauties lately...I don't think I saw anyone say that they missed d'addario slowounds...yes, I'm a fan of different colored silks on each string, like the old rotosound spacers, but they started making the nexus strings, so that's all good
Sure. I've had sets that went lifeless what I took them out of standard tuning.
So you tune DGCF?
nuclear fusion |ˈn(j)uklɪ(ə)r|
noun
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
noun
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
Maybe it means that the heavier the style of music you play, the more energy the strings release, so they... you know... so they match.
I like experimenting with different strings because they have a fairly large impact on my sound, and they are relatively easy and cheap to test, compared to new bass, new pup, new amp.
That said, I used RS66LD roundwounds for years, but after trying my first set of flatwounds, I was hooked. I like the sound of roundwounds now, but I can't stand the feel of them anymore, nor the fact that I have to change them much to often for my taste to make them sound the way I want them to.
I currently use Sadowsky Black Label Flats 045-105 on my main bass, LaBella DTB 760FS and FM, and TI JF344 strings on my other basses. I play c/w, classic rock and blues, and they all fit the bill perfectly, IMO. I value high manufacturing quality, evenness from string to string, longevity more than price, because I'm old enough to buy stuff for my hobby w/o ruining the family economy. And because flats lasts longer than rounds
That said, I used RS66LD roundwounds for years, but after trying my first set of flatwounds, I was hooked. I like the sound of roundwounds now, but I can't stand the feel of them anymore, nor the fact that I have to change them much to often for my taste to make them sound the way I want them to.
I currently use Sadowsky Black Label Flats 045-105 on my main bass, LaBella DTB 760FS and FM, and TI JF344 strings on my other basses. I play c/w, classic rock and blues, and they all fit the bill perfectly, IMO. I value high manufacturing quality, evenness from string to string, longevity more than price, because I'm old enough to buy stuff for my hobby w/o ruining the family economy. And because flats lasts longer than rounds
nuclear fusion |ˈn(j)uklɪ(ə)r|
noun
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
Maybe it means that the heavier the style of music you play, the more energy the strings release, so they... you know... so they match.
As long as they don't glow in the dark...
- Oct 22, 2015
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I would have noticed if mine glowed in the dark. I have every certainty they are UV reactive, but have not experienced this myself.
