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What kind of strings do you use?

Preferred String Type

  • Roundwounds

    Votes: 5,513 69.2%

  • Flatwounds

    Votes: 1,875 23.5%

  • Nylons

    Votes: 142 1.8%

  • Compression, 1/2, groundwound (either or)

    Votes: 259 3.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 178 2.2%
  • Total voters
    7,967
#2,061
tallboybass said:
Between those two, which has the most lowend?
Click to expand...

The difference between the HC Boomer and the RC Boomer is fairly subtle.
That said, to my ears, RC seems to have a low end that's slightly more "open" than HC. The same punchy low-mids the Boomers are know for, but smoother mids with less of the raw grind. I like the way RCBs give a little extra body to my J bass tone.

By the way, the RCB set that went on my J back in September is still going strong.
 
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#2,065
I've spent way to much money over the years looking for the perfect strings. I now feel the bass chooses the strings. Some basses just sound better with different strings.
So I keep.
DR-Sunbeams-DR-Legends. La Bella Black Nylon. Ken Smith Compressors. TI-JF344-flats. Around the house for all my needs.
 
#2,067
Killdar said:
hmmm....what kind of strings....I like the ones that go on a bass....anything on a bass is spiffy
Click to expand...

not good idea... however... it depends on music u want to play. I use Ernie Ball 50-135 nickel roundwounds, and it`s great for my music (we play metal but with deep and soft sound). But there are some ideas of another studio projects whitch may require another types of strings... I gonna to make a conceptual sound for some [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], so there must be something experimental.

By the way (to everyone), what do you think about coocking strings to clean it? I`ve heared it works but it sounds dangerous for string, don`t you think so?
 
#2,068
maxfox said:
By the way (to everyone), what do you think about coocking strings to clean it? I`ve heared it works but it sounds dangerous for string, don`t you think so?
Click to expand...

Well....cooking (I am going with boiling here) certainly would remove all oils and dirt from every nook and cranny but I would think that the process may also take some temper out of the strings and change the resonance.
 
#2,070
Rotosound FM66 Funkmaster, 030/090 on my Pedulla Series II: Very light strings with a funky bumpy sound. Easy to play. For me the series II sounds better than the MVP. The Series II is passive, the MVP active.

DR MLR-45 Hi-Beam Bass Medium Light, 045/100on my Pedulla MVP IV: Very good strings with a clear crispy sound (when the strings are new).
 
#2,071
I've recently picked up a few sets of the DR coated strings and put them on a couple of basses to try them out. So far, really loving the feel of them. Coating makes them less rough when sliding and stuff, but doesn't seem to affect the sound. The NEON ones are pretty cool on stage with some black light too. I'll be curious to see how well they hold up...
 
#2,072
I used Rotosound round wound on my American 1978 sunburst Fender Jazz bass from when I bought it in 1978 (stolen in early 1990s). I have recently put round wound bright Jim Dunlops on my Mexican sunburst Fender 70s re-issue Jazz bass (a doppelganger of the 1978 one except for tilt mechanism and strat knobs - about 10 years old now). It is like having a completely different guitar, infinitely better - unless Rotosound are not as good as they used to be.
 
#2,073
I am trying the Rotosound Steve Harris Signature SH77 flatwound 50 75 95 110
So far I like the tone and the flatwound touch.

I adjusted the relief and need to lower the action.
And I will need to do something for the nut because of the heavy gauge of D and A.
 
#2,074
Time for another update...

Gone is the red, back in comes the black... My Fender J is now reunited with GHS Pressurewound ML7200 as of this morning after six months with the Round Core Boomers RC-M3045. I can honestly say I do like the RCBs for their punchy low-mids and grind without the zing up top. I would use them again if I could find another bass to put them on.

Meanwhile, my Fender P is still purring happily with the GHS Balanced Nickels 4L-NB after three and a half months.
 
#2,075
LKTraz said:
Well....cooking (I am going with boiling here) certainly would remove all oils and dirt from every nook and cranny but I would think that the process may also take some temper out of the strings and change the resonance.
Click to expand...

Recently purchased a Musicman SR5 Piezo. Not knowing how old the strings were seeing
string wear from the frets figured it was time. Till new strings could be ordered I boiled
the existing ones. Haven't done that in years but wth. Laid them out and within matter
of minutes they turned into a "clump of rust". Never seen that before lol.
Previously a Dean Markley Blue Steel satisfied user, but considering the Ernie Ball
Slinky Cobalt Round Wound Hex Core Electric Bass Strings Long Scale - 5-String 45-130 2736.
VS. the Slinky Round wound stainless Steels.
My TB research has indicated as many preferences as there are players, manufacturers,
gauges, construction etc. Realizing string preference is very subjective, not sure if there's a definitive answer. One experiments till the underwear feels right, I suppose. EB user opinions welcomed.
 
#2,076
:cool: I use Thomsastik Flat wounds on all my guitars and now on my bass. They're not inexpensive but they last a long long time. I usually buy from JustStrings.com but Carol Kaye has them on her site for less.

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I strung them through the body but have heard that's not the best for flats. Has anybody had a problem doing this? Thanks!
 
#2,077
descendent22 said:
Been through them all literly. Flat wounds are out of the question. It's all rounds for this bassist. As far as Gauges I use 100,80,65,45. I used EB cobalts for a while until I switched to Rotosound nickels swing bass 66 cause I wanted a brighter tone.Although I LOvE the tone, rotos tension is just a little too tight. I tried GHS boomers, daddario, Dunlop before I was recommended DR high beams. I used high beams for a good year or so until I noticed that when I went to playing with my fingers they didn't give me the highs I wanted. I tried EB cobalts again but they were to dull sounding so I ended up buying a simple $20.00 pink package of EB super slinky. I have been using those ever since and am very happy with the highs, mids, and lows along with the durability of the slinkies.
Click to expand...
Me too love super slinkies!
 
#2,078
Just took the Ken Smith MD-7 strings off my Tune fretless and put them on my new Brice.
Put a new set of La Bella 750N -CB tapes on my fretless.
20180402_171804.jpg
 
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